Winnall Moors Sunday 2 August 2009

Hi Anyone and Everyone,

This is my very first blog and I don't expect that anyone will feel inclined to read it - which in someways is just fine - it will provide an outlet for me to just record things that have struck me as interesting or beautiful. It feels like a very old fashioned but of course public diary.

Today we (my husband Rob) and I have been to Winnall Moors in Winchester which the Hampshire Wildlife Trust of which I am a member have done a huge amount of work on. It is extremely impressive and I felt somewhat ashamed not to have contributed time to the cause as a volunteer.

I loved the way in which the board walks take the eye in different directions, allowing the walker to really see all the beautiful views on offer.

I was a bit concerned to see a group of young families clearly enjoying the moors but with a dog in tow and not even on the lead. I find this a bit of a dilemma.

It is of course great to encourage the younger generations to wildlife but the rules are quite explicit at the only entrance to the moors. No dogs are allowed. I am a dog owner of two mad spaniels one springer and one clumber and whilst I would love to walk them on the moors I can well understand why this would not be appropriate. There were many young chicks - moorhens and coots and to disturb them would be entirely wrong. I also accept that whilst many dog owners clear up after their dogs it is the case that not all do and I expect that some would take the view that it wouldn't matter too much in what is a wildlife reserve. (I of course do not share that view). No, even as a dog owner - I can see real benefit in not allowing dogs on the moor - it gives a special feel to the place and we dog owners can go elsewhere when we wish to walk the dogs. I entirely accept that this will not be everyone's view but as it is my blog I guess that it is fair enough that it is my view!

Anyway - now then let's see - I wonder if I can attach photos to this somehow. Talk amongst yourselves while I go and figure out just how to do this.

Ok... well I am not sure that I am loading photos in the most efficient way but I expect that I will get the hang of it....

I am sure to a more experienced photographer (I can think of one or two I know) this could be a much better shot technically but I am pretty new to the whole digital photography game having finally just bought a new camera to help with my hobby so I hope that improvements will be seen during the coming weeks and months.

That will do for now I guess. Back to work tomorrow on the 7.05 no doubt...Have a good week one and all.

Kate