Belmont Country Park in Herefordshire

[lugg]

I am really missing visiting Herefordshire gardens, particularly at this time of year, when they are often at their best. Currently they all remain closed but I am hoping that may change in the coming weeks.
Of course many cities and urban areas have great and fabulous parks. One of the things I love most about visiting various cities is visiting these. In Herefordshire we don't really have anything similar, perhaps because we are surrounded by countryside, but there is a country park that vaguely meets the brief. I have never visited until earlier this week. It was created to offset the building of houses and is in an area which is within walking distance of some of the homes of the county’s most deprived families but really the area is very mixed.
So – Belmont Country Park and Pools. Not a great or fabulous park but quite pretty. Anyway I don’t think it is of particular interest so just a few photos to give a flavour.
The park is close to where I work about 3 miles west of the city centre. I stopped to take a picture of the city from a hill, camera on maximum zoom
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Into the park itself – Normally I guess these areas would be full of people having a picnic and lots of children enjoying the play areas. Not in these covid times.
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There are some magnificent oak trees that were saved by the creation of this park, and those that have died have been put to good use.
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The Cow Parsley was in full bloom,
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A large part of the park is made up of pools formed after gravel extraction; fishermen were out doing their thing as this is now an allowed form of exercise. Some families were there and the ducks looked extremely well fed. Parts of the pools are surrounded by a boardwalk to increase accessibility, other areas of the pools are harder to reach and I spotted what I hoped to see, on the less accessible side!
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So heading in that direction I stopped every now and then to admire the pool and the reflections,
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Finally got close but it was hard to get a clear photo, there are 7 cygnets in total.
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Then they were off so I continued around the pool hoping to get a better view further on.
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Finally got all 7 , and a clearer one of one of each of the proud parents.
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Heading back to the car I gave my apologies to these two who looked at me in hope,
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I will go back as there is something else I want to see but I did not have time today. The next pool is now the home to a group of large terrapins that were probably dumped here some years ago.

One last look at the reflections.
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[kerouac2]

Beautiful set of photos, but the things like the magnificent tree in the second photo always worry me. They become so iconic in their setting that if they ever wither away or are hit by lightning, it ruins everything. (Of course that is not really true, but that's how it seems during the initial shock.)

I wonder if there are more baby waterfowl this year due to a lot less disturbance. Everything that I have read would tend to make me believe this.

[mossie]

I am surprised the swan did not take offence and come charging at you. Nice pleasant piece of relaxing countryside, good to see in these lockdown times.

[bixaorellana]

So lovely, Lugg! How nice that it's open and not thronged. I love the country setting and the sensation that it's your own private parkland adjacent to your manor house. The swan pictures are fabulous. I don't ever remember seeing baby swans in real life. I was also thrilled to see the gorgeous yellow iris in your last picture before the swans.

Gorgeous photographic views throughout. Thanks for taking us along!

[fumobici]

Lush and lovely, thanks!

[bjd]

I like the wooden "sculptures" made of the old trees. It's a shame that the play areas are not open to children -- in southwestern France any that are fenced off are still locked, while those not fenced off have a notice on them but kids play on them anyway. But for the time being, it's nice for you to have a wander in a quiet green area.

[lugg]

Thank you for your comments.

May 24, 2020 14:39:44 GMT mossie said:

am surprised the swan did not take offence and come charging at you

I kept a wary eye on their body language especially as I would have been in danger of falling into the water but they seemed really chilled.

[Jane]

Sadly, your instincts were right regards the lovely old oak. Replacements due to be planted. www.herefordtimes.com/news/19759608.sadness-landmark-hereford-oak-brought-storm-arwen/

[lugg]

Hi and welcome Jane -are you from Herefordshire ? You would be very welcome to join us again ...if not, no matter, you would also be very welcome . Lots of posts on here about Herefordshire that you might enjoy ?

Re the demise of the old oak tree, yes so sad, but hopefully big oaks from little acorns grow .