Slindon Village Pumpkins and WWT Arundel

On the spur of the moment I decided to pop over to Slindon Village - quite a large amount of which is in the hands of the National Trust

The appeal today was to see the Pumpkins before most of them were sold for Halloween this weekend...   The displays first started in 1968 and are quite amazing.

Walking through the village I found this chappie outside someone's front door

Pumpkins..

and this year's display celebrating the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

That done, I headed off further through the village and had a scone and a coffee for lunch at Slindon Forge Stores and Cafe.. and also bought some locally made artisan cheese... Levin Down ...  produced by the Goodwood Home Farm - which I shall sample in due course..

As WWT Arundel was close by I headed off there for a wander before some food shopping and getting back home... I saw the sun - for about 5 minutes.. but wet and cloudy for most of the day.

Short visit to Warnham LNR

Had some stuff to sort this morning the called in at Warnham on my way back home.

Generally very quiet.. and given it's half-term relatively quiet in terms of people as well.

From the Tern hide... the sun came out and it was surprisingly warm..

Around by the feeders..

and there is one adult and two young Great Crested Grebes about still..  (record shots only!!)

Around the board walk..

Back at the Woodpecker Hide..

and stopped at the Tern Hide on my way out

Not there for long but good to get out for a bit.....

Pulborough Brooks... then later at Parham House

I left early (ish) and went to Pulborough Brooks.  It was lovely sunshine and some birds were singing.

Hundreds of Canada Geese, Lapwings, saw Wigeon, Teals.. etc etc

Robins were about.. this is the only one that posed though

Lots of spiders/cobwebs everywhere..

Saw large flocks of Canada Geese arriving.

I then had to head off for a family commitment but, after a quick shop, I headed off for Parham House & Gardens... only open on a Sunday afternoon in October (with some exceptions for Halloween and half term)

Mr Ponders... always drawn to water..

Was lovely to have a walk in the gardens and a bit through the park.  Decided I wanted to be out in the sunshine so didn't visit the house.  And the cafe was heaving with people so came home for a cuppa instead.