A Laburnum of Bees, Eskdale Green

Eskdale Green

Took Roydog out for a short stroll last night, 9.15 pm and a cuckoo still calling from Muncaster Fell... a week of walks on the Screes, Illgill Head, Whin Fell, Mitredale Forest, Eskdale Green to Penny Hill Farm (and back), few miles around Ennerdale, another river walk and Muncaster Fell, couple of quick dips in the Esk ...

the scent of May blossom, bluebells and pine in the woods along the Esk, cuckoos calling up and down the valley and across the fells - maybe three or four - a woodpecker drill drill drilling away as we came off the fell side,

any amount of pipits and stonechats, larks calling, a pair of goldfinches, exotic in the strong wind blowing in from the west across Ennerdale water....

and a sheep gather off the fells near Penny Hill Farm, "away away! come come come! ayeayeayeayeaye!!! whistles to the sheepdogs, yows beh-ing, their black lambs bleating an answer,

all this in deep sunshine and blue raced cloudscape over the pink sparkling stone of Eskdale granite ... back to the cottage and the yellow hum of laburnum'd bees

Geraldine Green

19.5.2017

copyright of both words and photos: Geraldine Green

WRITE ON THE SHORE with Geraldine Green, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, South Walney Nature Reserve

WRITE ON THE SHORE – at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s South Walney Nature Reserve, Sunday June 25^th 2017 10am-3pm

With stunning views across Morecambe bay, this shingle island reserve is full of interest and a fantastic place for bird watching. South Walney Nature Reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.

Come and be inspired by these summer highlights: nesting gulls, eiders, oystercatchers and ringed plovers. Burnet moths and grayling butterflies are on the wing and viper's bugloss, yellow horned poppy and sea lavender are in flower.

This creative writing workshop led by local writer Geraldine Green will use time outdoors, gentle writing prompts and exercises to help you craft poetry and prose inspired by the nature reserve. Handouts will be provided.

Booking is through Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Geraldine is an experienced creative writing tutor, published poet and poetry editor. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and nature writing is reflected in the many workshops she tutors and in her work. You can find out more about her here: you can find out more about her here

Part of the day will be spent outdoors so please bring waterproof clothing and sturdy walking boots. Please bring lunch, snacks and drinks to take with you round the nature reserve. Don’t forget a notebook and pen, enthusiasm and a sense of adventure!

This workshop is suitable for anyone with a love of nature and writing.

Cost: £20 per person

photos by Geraldine Green (copyright)