It seems like an age since I last posted but here we are already on the last (and very foggy) Sunday in November. A never ending lockdown is in place here, with even tighter restrictions in force since last Friday. And while I don’t really miss the shops too much, I do miss weekend afternoons spent in a favourite cafe or restaurant. I feel so sorry too for our wonderful hospitality industry who have borne the brunt of this pandemic . So, like much of this year, I take myself off to the quiet places, a little off the beaten track. It really is the best therapy.
Glenarm Forest
Our latest wandering was to the forest in Glenarm, a picturesque village on the east coast of County Antrim. Hubby decided to come along too and having parked the car at the marina, we strolled up to the top of the village and down a short lane into the forest.
Glenarm village with the forest in the background
It’s a lovely serene place to wander and enjoy those gorgeous autumnal tones. The forest is home to a variety of trees – oak, ash, beech, sycamore to name a few.
Red squirrels
If you are very lucky, you may even catch a fleeting glimpse of red squirrels. This is apparently one of the best places along the Causeway Coast to see them and we weren’t disappointed. The squirrels were re-introduced to the forest back in the 1970s by Ulster Wildlife. And thanks to ongoing efforts to supply food and maintain the feeders, the colony seems to be thriving. We were lucky enough to see a few flashes of red and those bushy tails as they scurried up the trees to collect peanuts. But they were simply too fast to be caught on camera. Maybe next time !
Scenes from the forest
The hedgehogs
Meanwhile, the hedgehogs continue to frequent our garden and we have become addicted to watching them. We’ve had to make several purchases of hedgehog food to keep them well supplied and have been rewarded with seeing up to 4 of them feeding together. They are getting bigger all the time, no doubt preparing for hibernation when the colder weather arrives. I’ll be sharing another short video of them on Instagram later today – they are so cute to watch !
Finally, I just wanted to mention I have a few calendars still available if you would like to purchase one. I also wanted to say thank you to those of you who have already ordered one. It was a total thrill when I got that first email to say someone had placed an order. And after sharing a story about them on Instagram, a few more orders were placed. It has really spurred me on to keep venturing out with my camera and to develop my photography further. So, thank you, thank you, thank you !
Until next time, stay safe and well,
Paula x
You can find me on Instagram here – https://www.instagram.com/type_writer_girl/
Useful Links
Other posts from Typewriter Girl to enjoy:-
Your notes on Glenarm have me determined to make the effort to visit. We have gone as far as Belfast (from Waterford) several times, and out to Ballymena to visit friends, but never on to Co. Antrim. There is so much there that I would love to see – Glenarm Castle Gardens and the native orchids on the coast. Some day, after this Covid has gone, we will be able to travel again!
Yes I’m sure you would absolutely love it. There is so much to see. Hopefully with the vaccines being rolled out, our days of travelling can return next year. Hope you are keeping well…
Yes, we are both well, thank you, remaining isolated but occupied and content. Missing family very much and looking forward to seeing them again,
It looks like a lovely, peaceful place to walk – and very picturesque from the distant shot of the village. Glad to know that Boris and the hedgehogs are all doing well 🙂
Thank you Andrea. We seem to be developing a family of animals…which is no bad thing. I hope you are keeping well…are there many restrictions where you are ?
We come out of lockdown on 2nd and our area goes into Tier 3, so we’ll be at the highest level. The good thing is that close family wise we just have my mother in law to worry about and we’re allowed to be in a social bubble with her as she lives alone. And work will continue much as it has been – opening our libraries for click and collect but still working from home for me.
Wonderful nature pics. Happy to hear your Boris is doing better.
Thank you very much…very kind of you to say so 🙂
You’ve captured such beauty in these photos. I’m glad you are able to go on little expeditions like this to breathe in the fresh air and wondrous colors and all.
Thank you very much for your kind comments!