Walk through Dillons' Wood to Lough Graney, County Clare

Jim's photo of Autumn leaves.

Hi everyone. Jim and I were at a loss what to do yesterday as it rained and we were hoping to finish the poly tunnel we are making. I did some crafting and Jim did bits and bobs. The rain cleared for a while so we decided to risk it and go for a walk. Can't do with being inside all day.

Buster had gone off with his friend Max - so it was just us! The cats were happy in my office:


BlackJack sitting in some of my wool.

Sandy had to take the chair!

Oh look - you can see Hannah on my desk.

Along the lane the lake is on our right:


It looked fine enough. We reached the wood and enjoyed seeing some fungi and lots of lush green moss, plus an abundance of lichen. The wood had a real 'carpet of leaves' on the ground.


Jim in Dillons' wood.

It was about here that we felt the odd spot of rain - well, heard it really. Ah well, 'we're not made of paper' we quipped.

We passed several animal 'holes', one of which I'm sure was a badger's home. This I haven't seen before though. A slug nest?


If you enlarge it you can see a slug crawling about.


We disturbed the ducks by the lake. There was much quacking and flapping! Look how misty is was - the photo is almost in black and white.


I spotted this white feather in the shallows. It looked so pretty with the mist settled on it.

Flagmount was disappearing under the rain cloud which was heading our way!


Luckily we had hats and coats so wrapped up well. Gosh, it did rain!

Jim took some photos of some fishermen in the lake! Rather them than me:


He found a feather and put it in his hat! You can just see it.

Flagmount half gone:



It was very slippery round by the rocks. The grasses looked lovely as ever.

Luckily, the rain soon passed over us. What a difference:



Some pretty lichen, moss and fallen oak leaves.

We walked up to the road and back through the wood - the road cuts right through it.


On the path up to the road there are 2 of these amazing oak trees. They have massive leaves and as you can see, their colour is stunningly vibrant.


Here is one of the fallen leaves, glistening from the rain.

We passed some really weird fungi too. I've never seen any like it before:



From above, it looks like something from Doctor Who!

Mr Anonymous (aka Jim) has just sent me this:

I found the fungus. It's Helvella crispa, also known as the white saddle, elfin saddle or common helvel. It lives in damp woodland especially alongside beech and by footpaths - which is pretty well where we saw it to a T. As to edibility the books say it was considered edible but is now regarded with suspicion. I think that means you didn't ought to eat it. JimX

The sun was shining on Lough Graney again:


I laughed at these cows waiting to be milked. 'Beware of the bull'!!


But a bit further along, there he was:


I wouldn't want to argue with him!

Back home and it was a complete change of clothes for me. The bottoms of my trousers were soaked and I'd also got very hot inside my coat and hat. We were both glad we'd made the effort though.

Here's a little bit of silly video that Jim took of me!



I had not idea that Jim was videoing me! I thought he was just taking a photo. Not very flattering but mildly amusing!