It’s been miserable weather recently; cold, foggy, raining and generally damp. So I’ve not been motivated to get outside much, other than a quick walk to the car for the short journey to and from work. Still, any change of season lifts my spirits. Leamington Spa, all tree-lined avenues, looks spectacular as I drive in from the outskirts, and the view from the college is reassuring – all those trees, a swatch of autumn colour and the lungs of our town doing their job.
At least once a week, I have a longer journey into Worcestershire and to Pershore College, home to horticulture courses, the Agritech Centre, veterinary nursing training, and our counselling students. That journey is usually a joy if I don’t get stuck behind a tractor or a long queue to get past the inevitable roadworks. Wide open views of rolling, misty fields, sweeping roads and lovely homes in well-heeled villages have all become familiar over the last few of years as we’ve been developing our psychotherapy training provision.
And of course, the weather has been great for frogs. When I did get outside yesterday evening, to finally get a little exercise and fresh air away from the laptop, I accidentally disturbed the resident frog in Lily Pond, while clearing away fallen beech and ornamental pear leaves. S/he dived into the pond with a loud splosh as a boulder rocked underfoot, and then I saw a flash of long legs swimming away.
Coming back later, after clearing Tiny Pond (beech and fig leaves) and Lion Pond (the bright reds leaves of Cornus Mas), I spotted the frog again, resting with head emerged, near the edge of the pond. I was sorry to disturb it again but couldn’t resist getting in close for a flash-assisted picture.
FROG BLOG 