Free to roam?

This morning, we left the kids at home and went out for a tramp over the fields. We have a big field next to us that was sold a few years ago and we normally cross this before getting to the others which lay behind our estate. Whoever bought the field (and I wish it were me!) has decided he doesn't want local people walking on his land, despite 99.9% of us respecting the land and following the countryside code. It was a bit of a worry at the time as we didn't know who'd bought it and we wondered what would happen to it. You hear so many scare stories of travellers taking over fields and it really is a piece of rural heaven.

 

Despite the unfriendly notice, we walked over it anyway. The owner can't be that vigilant as at the end of the well-worn path, there was a flattened gate that made access easy. Some time ago a nasty farmer also put up some rude signs about access on his land that adjoins the local Nature reserve but we all ignore them... I don't know anyone who is careless in the countryside and we all make sure gates are closed after us, pick up litter and don't let dogs off the lead near sheep. 

Anyway...we had a lovely walk and went to have a look at the budding daffodills that grow in a little spinney. They are just poking their green heads through the earth and later on in the month they make a beautiful show along the banks of a stream. I'll take some pictures when they are fully out. We saw one rabbit and several other people walking dogs, but it was very peaceful. 

One thing was a bit spooky though...in the hedgerow near to where I took the picture of the No Access sign, was a dead rabbit hanging from a tree. It was obviously put there deliberately but we don't know why. Sometimes the country can be a cruel and wild place.

Keith in mugging outfit.