Coming back from the west country, somewhere near Stonehenge we saw five deer grazing in a large field near a wood, they never go too far from woodland where they can hide and blend in with the dark background.
We later passed Stonehenge a great expanse of greenery with the remaining great stones standing forlornly in the middle. Many years ago in the days when you could walk up to them and appreciate their size and grandeur I took a black and white photo of one of the triathlons with Di standing at the bottom, you then get a true impression of their huge size and the effort required to put them there. I felt sad for them and the way the site is now set up. The monument deserves better!.
The deer have been active in the field next to our garden usually a single buck, well out into the middle of the field or near to an open exit.

Water Birds
At half term our grandson stayed with us for a couple of days. Di took him for a morning walk round Cutmill Pond. There was an autumn mist still hanging over the water. The lake, surrounded by trees reflected in the water made it very beautiful. Other families were also out enjoying the fresh air.
Fathers had brought their sons for some fishing and all was quiet except for the quacking of the Mallard ducks and the call of the coots. Two 'Crested Grebe' were fishing in the middle of the pond repeatedly diving out of sight and emerging in a different place. I have seen this pair many times before; they are graceful birds with long necks and a red crest on the top of their heads. One really needs some binoculars to view their beauty. On the far side of the pond we startled a Heron who unfolded his very large wings and majestically glided off to the other side of the pond to stand in the shallows.
A  large bird flew over the pond, I immediately recognized it as a Cormorant, later confirmed when I looked it up in my bird book at home. I have never seen one at Cuttmill before, but they have been seen down by the river. I was very thrilled to have seen it for myself in these parts. Cormorants are bigger than a duck but smaller than a goose. This one had grey underneath denoting that it was probably a juvenile. Present all the year round on coasts they are (according to my book) frequently seen inland.

Fungi
They are best seen in later September and October, but there are still many to be seen this month although the fruiting bodies are almost always seen in woodland; some can be found in the bottom of hedges. Clusters of Bracket Fungus can be found on fallen trees. Every damp rotting twig has its own species of fungus. Beneath the ground in woodland is a network of rhizomorphs (thin spidery roots). The only function of the fruiting bodies, which we see are to produce and scatter spores.
Toadstools, some white with a closed umbrella shape and a frilly grey undercarriage appeared in the hedge opposite our driveway. sorry, I'm not very up on toadstools, but think them very interesting.
The sharper eyed of you will have noticed that last months presentation was a repeat of Octobers. It wasn't meant to be but means that our seasons greetings will be late. However, still, Look after yourselves and we hope you have had a Happy Christmas that will be followed by a prosperous, happy (and dryer) new year!!