Burnham Beeches 21 February 2016

Burnham Beeches midwinter is a very different animal to Burnham Beeches midsummer.  There is a LOT more mud covered by a deceptive carpet of fallen leaves and the hills are such a slog. The trees are skeletel, waiting for their green draping.  It doesn't stop people walking though, but thank goodness for the tea room, they must do a thriving trade on a cold Saturday afternoon.

There was quite a big group for a winter day - about 14.  Thoughts of fitting into and baring all in summer clothes perhaps? Often the conversations revolve around upcoming holidays - Portugal for me in June.  This is the longest I've gone in my life without the slightest tan - gives me a bit of a fright when I catch a glimpse in the mirror - I try not to if I can help it... The thought of a swim though is so exciting but not in this pond.

Just look at the size of those fish!  Someone must have thought this was a good place to leave the unwanted goldfish.

These are Mandarin Ducks - a male and a female - the male the more flamboyant as usual.  Isn't he spectacular?

Midway through the walk was time for tea and what has to be the best lemon cake I've ever had - that's saying quite a lot you know, it's a favourite.  This had lemon curd and white chocolate shards as a topping and was the most incredibly moist cake.  Spectacular too in it's own way.

Then a diversion through the sculpture garden.  They looked a little forlorn in the cold and wet.

As we all did by the end of the walk, but a least we could go home.