Rock of Ages

  

For years, driving around the surrounding area we've seen signs pointing the way to Creswell Crags and haven't given it a second thought.  Last month, we eventually got round to checking it out.

Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge riddled with caves formed during the last ice age.  There have been a number of animal bones and other archaeological objects  found on the site over the years and you can arrange a guided tour of the caves (we didn't realise that you had to book for this).  Helpful signs inform you of where such creatures as hyena bones were found.  The thought of them roaming across Nottinghamshire does seem hard to imagine.

The visitor centre is an impressive structure with cafe, conference and exhibition spaces. It sits nicely in the landscape and with the silvering wood exterior designed to soften its impact.

The Visitor Centre

The gorge itself, on a warm Sunday afternoon was beautiful and surprisingly free of visitors.

 The paths are accessible for wheel chairs and not to demanding.  The crags are a haven for bird life.  When we visited, jackdaws that where nesting in holes in one of the limestone rockface where fighting with each other for possession.

Wood Chill

One frosty Sunday morning in late January we decided to check out Gamston and Upton Woods,another site managed by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The woods are located close to Retford.  We were surprised by how quiet both sites were.  Not just in terms of people but in the actual wildlife itself.  There was hardly a bird to be heard or seen.  It made the woods seem oddly eerie.  

I've experimented with converting a couple of shots to black and white, and I think they've turned out pretty well.

I've also resisted the temptation to call this post Morning Wood...