Back again, twice in one day not quite a record but I am impressed with my stickablity. So why come back and type in more. well today was a bright winters day and I got to go for a walk and took my camera with me. So also had to take the two girls with m. Enjoyed it really. I got to go the Merrions Wood arriving there about 11:00. We had a good walk, well I walked mainly and the girls ran and climbed and talked, they did not stop talking. Mainly to each other but occasionally I was allowed a part usually to hold a hand for balance or I was told to wait" please" as one or both caught up. They seemed to have a good time and as I speak are soundly asleep having spent the afternoon playing on the computer and watching telly.

So what did I see as I walked around. These two images I suppose sum up the wood at this time of the year. Especially today as last night it snowed. Not in great quantities here, though I know in other places there are several inches of the stuff.


The orange brown of the beach leaves still on the trees marks them out and the light the depleted canopy picks them out.

There are still splashes of green with holly being the main contributor. Though over last year or so it seems that those managing the wood have taken out much of the understory growth to open up the woodland away from the main paths.

As the children were clambering over one of the fallen logs I saw this and took the picture. It was not until later that I saw little girl in the middle, It is only a leaf though thumbellina has not been ruled out.

At the far end of Merrions Wood is St Margaret's Church, Great Barr and acts as a end point for the path.

Walking down the path the church almost emerges from the trees with all the lines of the wood leading through to it, though the church itself is almost obscured, the spire extending above the trees to remind all of us of the buildings use.

So I am running out of steam now and I need to go to bed.

More tomorrow, the shortest day.