Cyn's Nature Notes: Basildon Park

Monday 3 October 2011

Basildon Park

Visited Basildon Park today, it is a National Trust property in Berkshire, we were on a guided tour which in retrospect was a mistake. Although it was interesting to be shown round the house, one had to stand still and pay attention while we were being spoken to for fear of others being disturbed. Also the group was too large and the rooms were so crowded one could only see the part where one was hemmed in and immediately the guide stopped talking we were moved on. Indeed we were ushered from room to room too quickly, therefore we heard the history of the house and its owners but were unable to stand and capture the feeling of the room or to even spend time admiring the architecture of the rooms or treasures therein.

We have visited this property before not on a guided tour and going around at our own pace, reading about the rooms from the notes in each room or by talking informally to the stewards in each room, is a much pleasanter and more relaxed way of seeing a property. In future we will go when it is not a guided tour day.

The grounds are enjoyable and the far reaching views across the Berkshire countryside were breathtaking. There are also some really aged and very beautiful trees in the surrounding parkland.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.