Hello, Woody

You can usually depend on the woodpecker putting in an appearance when you visit Calke Abbey.

I had a marvellous wander round in the hour when it wasn’t raining or too blustery. This is the first year they’ve kept the park, gardens and stables area open during the winter. I had it nearly to myself.

Just before I headed for home in the wind and gloom, I spent a happy half hour in the bird hide near the car park.

What a splendid bunch of visitors : Tits by the hundreds. Goldfinches, chaffinches and green finches. Tree creepers. Siskins. A robin. Sparrows....

A fabulous National Trust property.