Midsummer - state of the ponds

Well, it may be a cooler day, but the top pond in the Dene is now waterless, though still damp. Ponds two and three still have standing water, but the fourth is as waterless as the top one.

I rarely go past the ponds, as they are a bit of a detour, but today is an exception. I thought I would see the effects of three or four weeks without significant rain and high temperatures (dare I call it summer? Of course I do). There is still a seepage of water coming from the spring lines, just not enough to keep all of the ponds going.

The dogs miss the water in the top pond as it is generally fresher then the others if they need a drink on a hot summer's day. Never mind though, it is nearly Hoppings week (even if they are no longer calling that) and the peonies are coming into flower, so we should be due a good downpour any day now. 

Bluebell time

The bluebells are out in Denton Dene. :-D

Oh what a beautiful day

Well the hot weather has finally reached the north east. It was nice yesterday, but today is the real thing. Vest, shorts and sandals for me and splashing through muddy ponds for the lurchers. Said ponds are beginning to dwindle as the summer finally gets under way, but there are still four separate identifiable ponds in the dene.

Wildflowers

It is also a great time of year for wildflowers, as you can see here in Sugley Dene.

Yes, the lurchers and I are having a long lazy walk today.

The greening of the understorey

It's a beautiful morning here in Denton Dene and we can see that all of the shorter trees in the wood are coming into leaf. This part of spring is their chance to grab at the sunlight while their loftier neighbours are still slumbering.

It's May tomorrow; hal-an-tol, jolly rumble-oh!