Wednesday, 2 September 2020

We were there, together after eight months

 We met up just before Christmas......

The next time we were to  have met up, we postponed our visit as I was unwell, probably with Covid19, but who knows? And the following day Mr S was not well enough to drive.

Finally it was to time for a mid-way socially distanced get together, missing out a big hugs, but enjoying a lovely walk found by Veronica. Schools are just about to start back, so we thought this is just about the optimum time.  Who knows when we shall meet again?

A hill with a good view is always interesting


Unlike the Uffington White Horse, this horse on the hill side is concreted over.  The steep hillside grass land is showing clear signs of 'creep' formed by the thin soil very slowly slipping down the underlying chalk, which is probably further enhanced by sheep and cattle walking along the parallel ridges in the turf.

As we walked towards Bratton, the north easterly views of the chalk land escarpment were magnificent too.


Along the way, it felt quite autumnal even though it was still August, with remains of knapweed seedheads.

Skirting the very edge of the Village, close to the Church of St James, we came across a 'contraption with paddles spraying water in a pond'. It certainly held our attention and by googling several words have indeed come across such machines which increase water aeration.


Mr S spotted a beautiful blue butterfly, which flitted away far too quickly, but this bee, a ginger bumblebee and most probably a Brown-banded carder bee (Bombus humilis), spent some time on this Devil's-bit-scabious.


How strange to meet up with nearest and dearest and not be able to have a hug!  




3 comments:

  1. Still very strange times. It looks like you had a lovely walk. I didn't know that White Horse had been concreted over - it made me wince to hear that. I know they are difficult to keep weeded but still - ouch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The horse is in a very steep area, and there are cement works just at the foot of the escarpment, so it is no surprise. The Horse at Uffington was still chalk last time we were there.

      Delete
  2. Lovely views from the escarpments, Noelle - and how lovely to meet up with nearest and dearest again

    ReplyDelete