I don’t think I’ve every thought about what spiders do in winter – apart from their sneaking into our house and lurking there for the duration. So I was mightily surprised on my way over the field to the allotment yesterday to find lots of webs like these among the tussocks of flattened, snow-emerged grass. I was also surprised to feel the sun warm on my head as I bent down to take this photo.
Up at the allotment, and despite the sudden warmth, all was in a state of post-snow-shock. The aged damson tree had lost a branch. The green manure mustard that I’d grown on several plots was sprawled about the place, and my pigeon defence system over the kale completely collapsed. It mostly looked damp and dreary everywhere.
But I did spy some field beans sprouting, and the self-seeded marigolds were flowering heroically. I plucked a few leeks, and leaves of perpetual spinach, chard and kale.
Then I wandered around other people’s plots, looking at what was what. At first I thought my only company was a wren, flitting like a little moth in the greengage tree. But when I reached the big conifer on the allotment boundary, I spotted a Goldcrest foraging in its branches – our tiniest British bird (I think) apart from its cousin the Firecrest. And then there were the blackbirds feasting on a hoard of fallen apples. None of them stayed around to be photographed though.
And that included the kestrel who was using the summit of an ash tree as a look-out post. It flew off as I drew near. And it was then I noticed a very strange mist creeping across the farm fields towards the town. Some shape-shifting solstice invader masquerading as miasma…?
P.S. “there’s magic in the web of it” is from Shakespeare’s Othello
Six Word Saturday Please pop over to Debbie’s for more 6SW offerings.
Tish Farrell 
Great Post Tish
Many thanks. Where are you, btw? I’m not keeping up with your location on the face of the planet.
Tish I will email you privately
A most interesting 6 plus Words, Tish! If I haven’t already said it Wishing you a Happy Christmas and all the best for 2018!
And to you too, Sue. I’m also losing track of who I’ve said happy Xmas too. But then the more times said the better 🙂
😊😊😊
I am so pleased you didn’t stick to the six words! What a lovely magical, mistical post. I have never seen a goldcrest, but we do have a few friendly wrens bobbing around the place. Happy Christmas Tish to you and TMWBS however you spend it, and I look forward to more beauty from Shropshire in 2018.
And all the very best to you and OH and all the family. Have a wonderful, happy, healthful holiday 🙂
Thick mist in the vale of York on Thursday, and then it snuck along here yesterday morning. Bright blue, now though, and I’m going for a tootle in the marina- to check if the blow up Santa’s flown off. 🙂 🙂 Darn- I forgot the leeks! Must get some on the way back. And such perky looking marigolds. Happy celebrations, darlin! Stay warm and cosy 🙂
All the bestest to you and yours, Jo. Festive frivolities all round.
I love misty mornings and rolling fog.
Beautiful photos, Tish.
Cheers, Kate.
Beautiful work, T. And thanks for the Othello reference; I knew it was a line from something by uncle Will, but I would have had to look it up…
Enjoy the holidays!
Happy holidays to you too, Ron.
Great post Tish. I’m also pleased you broke the 6 rule! You’ve really caught the beauty of those rotting apples. And I love the magical mist! Have a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for 2018.
Lovely post Tish. Wishing you and your whanau a very happy, peaceful Christmas, and a fulfilling new year.
And the same to you, Su. It’s a great pleasure meeting you here in webland 🙂
Likewise Tish 🙂
I love the naming of names here, and the sense of you rambling around looking and noticing. The web photo is a beauty, and so is the quote. Hope your silly season is very satisfactory, and thank you for many pleasures from your year.
And thank you for the pleasure from all your found treasure, Meg, and fir the sure gaze that finds them. All the best to you and all the family.
Maybe all those spiders migrate over here!!! We are having an abundance of them this year. That beautiful little marigold is a ray of light and hope for spring isn’t it. Enjoy your Christmas I can imagine roaring fires and turkey or whatever with all the trimmings finished with Christmas pud. While we scoff prawns, salad and pavlova then a trip to the beach. Looking forward to your happenings through 2018
Enjoy your festivities, Pauline, and all the best for 2018.
It’s always a bit hard to look at the vegetable garden in winter… but this will be a good time to work on other things. Best wishes for a joyous holiday for you and your loved ones.
And all the very best to you and your family, Shimon. And you are so right about the garden 🙂