Inspirational videos

On the wild side: treecreepers.

On a recent  dog walk the Daisy dog daisy-soft-2and I wandered by our local river, the Derwent.

The moist air made the strands of my hair peeping out from my hat damp and the sky was a wash of different shades of grey. The Daisy dog read her morning, doggy newspaper and I was mesmerised by the dark brown water slowly flowing south.

It was only when it started to hop up, from the base of the weeping willow tree trunk, that I spotted it.

A first for me… a treecreeper!

Photo credit: bidddievan.tumblr.com

Photo credit: bidddievan.tumblr.com

This small bird, about 12 centimetres in length was perfectly camouflaged against the rough, brown trunk of the tree and viewed from the side… albeit briefly – it had a  pure, white breast.

I wish I could say that I managed to get a photograph of it, but I didn’t. I had a greyhound on a lead to contend with… remember. How many times do you line up your shot and just as you are about to get a half-decent image – the pooch moves and there goes your chance? Then the animal/bird moves and you’re left with nothing but memories … and a dog that is clearly bored and wants to get on with the walk.

Take it from me – it was great to watch and I will never forget that memory.

It carefully creeped up and  around the tree, picking off insects with its slightly curved beak. Its tail acted as a support.

But, I can’t come on here and sing the praises of this rather clever bird and not let you see for yourself. So, if you want to see what some folk call a tree mouse – because of the way it cleverly scales tree trunks – have a look at this clip. Just click on the links.

Here Bill Oddie ( a great British Institution) and Kate Humble watch and discuss the huddling and cuddling treecreepers.

As for me – I’ve got a permanent stiff neck now, as I walk around looking up trees hoping for another sighting of a treecreeper… my new favourite bird.

Enjoy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Eurasian_Treecreeper#p0085b7r

As part of my new – look Write Dorne I’m going to include some wildlife posts and pages on here in future. So, if  you’re interested in reading about some of the great wildlife I’ve been lucky enough to see in my part of Yorkshireland, call back sometime.

Thanks for dropping by.

Dorne x

 

 

 

 

Morning coffee: dreams.

Good morning from my part of Yorkshireland. I’m just back from a long walk with the Daisy dog and now I’m having my morning coffee.

I was thinking about one of my favourite films Inception. Every time I watch it I see something else that I hadn’t noticed before… it’s that type of film isn’t it? It’s mind-boggling stuff.

It’s layers upon layers and dreams of dreams. Nothing is as it seems and different dimensions converge. In other words we can’t explain everything. So true. If we could where would we be?

A great movie, great music and some classy acting.

I hope your coffee was good.

Thanks for dropping by.

Dorne x

Autumn. A song and some thoughts.

I absolutely LOVE autumn. The colours, the weather, the mood… I could go on but, I’ll let this video and song from one of the true masters weave some autumn magic.

 

Then… there’s my take on autumn.

As I’m thinking about it now, I can think of so many other things about this rather special season. You’ve been spared them for now. I may be back with chapter 2.

Talking of which, I’m hoping to do my version of NaNoWriMo ( is that right?). I am putting together a book about greyhounds and I want to use November as a time to get it completed. Then, I can drive myself nuts trying to self publish, as an e-book.

My attempt at the month-long writing challenge would probably be best called NaNoMayAllthingsbeing wellFingersCrossedMo.

So, if I go comatose on here you know why. It could be argued that I’m comatose on here anyway. No difference then.

 

Halloween is powerful.

Halloween is powerful.

 

The heady days of summer are a becoming a distant memory.

The harvest is done

and thanks will be given.

Long fingers of darkness finger the landscape,

and cover it

like an incoming tide.

halloween-blog-post

Halloween finds the kids in their costumes… excitedly tricking and treating.

Ghosts of spirits good and bad are at large on the street

and lanterns are made and lit,

 to keep them from our homes.

That thin veil between our world, the other world, or even worlds… whatever our beliefs, is almost tangible.

It’s powerful stuff… this Halloween fun!

 

The birds sing their mellow songs now.

Above us, migrating birds bid us farewell.

Leaves drift down from the trees; like golden snowflakes.

Our boots kick through red and yellow drifts of leaves.

The horse-chestnut trees give up their treasures and returned to a temporary childhood, we hunt for the shiny, red conkers again.

The fire is lit and body, and souls snuggle up under soft blankets and are kidnapped by books, that have collected dust, during the summer months. Now, they take us prisoner in their familiar and not so familiar worlds.

Scarves are knitted and proudly worn on our forays out into the colder, sleepy world.

halloween-blog-post-5

There’s a sense of peacefulness.

A need to sleep.

A sense of everything coming full circle.

The bonfires and fireworks light up the dark skies and our spirits.

The sunrises and sunsets go all out for a show of amazing colour.

 

There are Festivals of Light, Christmas and New Year celebrations to prepare for and celebrate.

So much to do.

In a matter of weeks

the first snowdrops will sleepily raise their pretty, little heads above the frozen, hard earth.

A stillness will cloak our land.

As we semi hibernate

And ready ourselves for the new seasons to come.

New plans, new hopes, new life.

There is always hope… until there isn’t.

Then, there is an acceptance.

There is always the cycle of life.

There is always Halloween – to help settle us in, to the new season.

 

Thanks for reading and have yourself a great Halloween.

Sees ya later.

Dorne x

 

 

 

My hero…Andre Previn!

This a blast from my past…on here and from my youth.

 

Lovely piece of music, Rachmaninov (symphony no 2) and conducted by a genius, Andre Previn. My hero.

As a teenager I played clarinet in various orchestras and bands. It still thrills me, thinking about the high that you get as the music flows. You’ve learnt your part, perfected it and then the moment of truth. It’s akin to magic as the music is reproduced. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. I dabbled with the notion of playing clarinet professionally, in an orchestra at one point. But life took me down a different road.

Where would we all be without music? A world without music would be unthinkable.  I think it lifts or souls.

Thanks for dropping by.

Dorne x

Morning coffee: in my part of the woods.

Yorkshire is a huge county and has many sides to its character. I truly love where I live and this morning I’ve found this film, made by the North York Moors National Park, to showcase my part of the woods.

We  actually live within this national park and so our little cottage has to conform with the rules and regulations…not a problem. We think it’s a privilege to live where we do.

I hope you enjoy and thanks for dropping by.

Until the next time.

Dorne x