The Falconry Centre, Allerford

Last night I went for the most beautiful early evening walk. I took the dogs over to Cloutsham ball and from there walked up to Stoke Pero church and then down to Stoke Pero Combe. From there, I followed the river towards Horner through the ancient woodland and back to the car.

The bird song was amazing and I was lucky enough to see a Mistle thrush feeding one of its young.Something caught my eye and I looked up on the banks to see a couple of deer gracefully walking through the grass watching me watching them. The woods have changed a little because of the number of trees that have come down through the snow. It was hard to believe that one such a warm evening that only a couple of months ago we had such heavy snowfalls. The warm Spring rain we had on Monday has given everything a well needed boost and you could almost hear all the vegetation growing! The violets are everywhere and in some places the bluebells are starting to show their heads. A little later on I shall be walking from Winsford up the valley towards Exford where I know the smell and sight of the mass of bluebells will almost take my breath away.