The Bronte Waterfalls

The Bronte Waterfalls are a bit of a tourist attraction around here…though, it has to be said, they don’t quite rank alongside Niagara.

In fact, a pretty common reaction on coming upon them for the first time is to think you’ve taken a wrong turning and missed them altogether.  Surely this can’t be them?  They’re barely ‘falls’ at all!

Nevertheless, the spot is a pretty one; and the dogs enjoyed themselves today.  They couldn’t care less what this bit of stream is called or which famous people may have sported here in the past.  They just had a fine old time splashing about and chasing each other through the water.

In case you ever visit Bronte land, you might want to take a good look at the photos.  In case you should visit the falls, that is.  And think you’ve missed them. 

The Disappointed Dog

How do you tell a dog that his favourite neighbour has moved a hundred miles away?  That he can stand outside her (former) front door all day long - it won’t open.

Carol has been like a Grandma to Joss.  In a doggy kind of a way.

When we first began calling at her house, further along the village, Joss would quietly help himself to Misty the cat’s biscuits and any meat she had left in her bowl.

As Carol grew fonder of Joss (it didn’t take long), she began to pass him surreptitious scraps from her own plate when she thought I wasn’t looking (that never happens at home…oh, no!).

Before long, the scraps had progressed to packets of cooked meat bought in specially for the adoring hound.  Joss truly thought Carol’s house was doggy heaven.

Good things, however, have an awkward habit of coming to an end.  So Carol has gone.  And I’m left with the impossible task of trying to explain to a wistful creature why his supply of corned beef has suddenly dried up.

I just hope whoever moves into number 38 next likes dogs.  There’s one waiting on the doorstep…

For the Love of Poppies

I’m sharing this pic with you for the simple reason that I love poppies (who doesn’t?); but you don’t get many of them growing wild in the Pennines.

Not so in Suffolk.  Last weekend I came across fields and fields of them, stretching pretty much as far as the eye could see.

Odd that the only photo I thought to take was this quick snap with my iPhone.  Obviously too busy doing foraging-y things.

But t’will do.  You get the idea.  If poppies are your thing and you live in a poppy-free zone, then head to Suffolk.  Now.

Little Owl

Came home at dusk the other evening and found this baby sitting on the wall outside our house.

He’d only flown the nest a day or two before….and perhaps he’d yet to learn that it’s wise to keep yourself tucked away from humans and marauding cats.

We stared at each other for the longest time. He wasn’t the least fazed.  Didn’t even object to me snapping a picture with my iPhone.

He was born in the same nesting spot in the hollow of a tree trunk as last year’s tawny owls.  Managed to fall out of it like one of last year’s brood, too (did he fall or was he pushed?).

Despite that, he’s made it to fully-fledged owlhood and is now finding his wings in the field behind us.

I wish you well, Little Owl….

Show Me May

This month’s picture comes from Kathy in Massachusetts.  And I love the information she sent with it:

‘Here is a May photo from a scenic vista along the Sudbury River called Sherman's Bridge.  This spot is sung of in "over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go."  Overall I would say it has been a relatively overcast and chilly spring, but this spot always lifts my spirits no matter what the weather.’

Not surprised!  It’s lovely.  And now I’ve learned a new song (’cause I had to go look it up). Thanks, Kathy, for sharing the photo - and the reference - with us.  

If you’d like to see your neck of the woods featured here next month, then get snapping and show us what June looks like where you live.

Details on how to enter your image will be in the coming edition of Dixon Hill News so make sure you’re signed up to receive it (just fill in the box in the sidebar to the right).