Guided Tour round Park Wood

It was early June when Mr S and I went on a guided walk of the Park Woods which I recently became acquainted with. The day started off dreary with heavy rain and so it didn’t look good for our planned afternoon visit to Park Wood. The weather forecasters said it was going to be a dry afternoon and so it turned out to be. Barbra Lakin (Biodiversity and Landscape Officer for Somerset County Council) was our guide. Straightaway she told us how trees are surveyed into categories, ‘Notable’, ‘Ancient’ and ‘Veteran’ and what features a particular specimen needs to have in order to qualify for one of these labels.

All of these trees are precious, supporting as they do so many other species in their canopies and the structures themselves. In my opinion, the current ideas regarding planting hundreds of saplings in order to mitigate the loss of these habitats loss through urban development falls a long way short of the reality. Only recently in Wells during August an old hedge had been removed by housing developers, old hedges and trees and all the wildlife just cannot be replaced!

Of course, a mature wood comprises not only trees but lots of other flora. Open glades created by the removal of diseased Ash trees and other timber harvesting are now filled with species welcoming the new light. Barbra pointed out several including Herb Paris which is apparently an indicator species of Ancient Woodland, showing that the area was wooded long before the current planting took place.

Herb Paris

Sunny glades also provide shelter from the strong wind that we have been experiencing recently, and I spotted demoiselles, four spotted chasers, red admirals and painted ladies amongst others taking advantage of them. Isn’t it wonderful to see so many painted ladies this year, after virtually none last year.

At the very start of the walk along the field edge we were introduced to different thistles of which Carduus acanthoides, The Welted Thistle, 

but I wonder whether this is Carduus crispus as it has strong spines and the flower stalks are spiny to the top. 

There were a number of interesting sedges which were coming into flower, but I did not take notes of these.

At one point where the paths diverge there was a tall umbellifer pulling up towards the light which we were all warned not to touch: Hemlock water dropwort

Hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) 

Common marsh bedstraw was growing through the brambles..

Unlike the garden escapee the Yellow archangel growing in the woods does not have the leaf variagation.

Yellow archangel

The field rose here bathed in green light filtering through the leaf canopy.

Rosa Arvensis -Field Rose

It had masses of stamens and longer than I had expected. There are quite a few of these wild roses which have white petals growing on woodland and their edges around Wells.

When you go down into the woods today - Park Wood Wells

Earlier this week, along with a good sized contingency from the Wells Tuesday WI, I went on a memorial walk which was planned as a circular walk from The Bishop's Palace in Wells.  Some members chose the shorter version, and I along with a few decided to make the whole circuit, but found that we had to made a short cut and took a path through a little piece of woodland.  We were in a hurry at that stage, but I could tell that it would be well worth a return visit.

Mr S was easily persuaded that for this week's date day, it would be a walk out from home via The Bishop's Palace to view their primrose bank, and enjoy a drink there and then to these woods.  The previous week we had had a muddy walk through Tor Hill woods but had been disappointed that we could not find any wood anemones. To think we have lived in this area for several years and had walked and cycled many times along the Strawberry Line, but had not been aware of the beauty these woods hold.

I only got out my phone during the last few minutes in the wood, and saw many different wild flowers. These are just a very few.

English Bluebells in patches

and in swathes

Greater Stitchwort

Wood anemones

Wood Spurge 

Euphorbia amygdaloides

and Yellow Archangel

Lamium galeobdolon

I am sure we shall be returning and enjoying this small patch of woodland.

Early June on the Mendips

 Another visit to Draycott Sleights with extensive views.  Not a long walk but a pleasant revisit to the cave and surrounding grasslands.

There were many butterflies around, but they kept on being startled as I came close. I think this is the Chalk Hill Blue.  Its sole food source is the Horse Shoe Vetch which grows in abundance.

The orchids were out, and even these were not still in the strong breeze.

Even smaller this tattered specimen of the Small Blue butterfly.  It is our smallest resident butterfly that similarly feeds solely on a different vetch.

Whilst the ant hills are veritable miniature gardens with thymes and hawkbits in flower, and yet clinging onto limestone exposures at least three different types of fern were growing in close proximity.

Amongst the other more yellow hawkbits this lighter lemon one caught my eye.

If you want to see what the views from this area are link then do go and look at this post by Jeff Bevan.

Return ramble around Draycott Sleights

Another short walk to catch the summer flowers before they pass, together with a packed lunch, made for a delightful hour or two change.  This time we parked on the side of the New Road, which leads up from Draycott, and past the airfield.

It was a glorious and sunny day, maybe a little too hot.  The walk was probably less than two miles, and we stopped often to look at the view, the flora , insects, and the herd of cows and their small calves wander along the paths.

The short turf and the anthills were covered in a wide variety of flowers.  The thyme was in full flower with many visiting bees.  Isolated plants  of Common Centaury peered above the closely cropped grass,  Horse-shoe vetch and many other flowers, such as hairbells and the small scabious with blues to equal the skies, were plentiful.

The kidney vetch was very much apparent on the Eastern side of the reserve's grass land.  The woolly effect at the centre where the small flowers emerge from the hairy calyx really drew me in.

We were intrigued by the dark opening in a limestone bluff.  Draycott Cave and is about 24m long.  The limestone above the opening is just like an intensively planted rockery.

Ferns were clinging to the rocks on the outside of the cave

When sharing this post with new friends also not long moved this is beautiful corner of England, one of who happens to be a Botanist, I had the following helpful identifications which I am including, as well as the link to help identify British Ferns.

"Your first one is Wall Rue (Asplenium ruta-muraria), commonly found on stone walls, even in city back alleys, but it is a real little jewel when you look at it closely."

"The second one is the Rusty-back fern (Asplenium ceterach) which is distinguished by overlapping scales on its underside giving it a rather hairy appearance. I’m rather fond of this species since it was the first fern I drew when studying Botany at University. I guess you already know this but there is a lovely website (British Pteridological Society) for quickly identifying UK ferns at https://ebps.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Fern-Guide01.pdf. It has some of the best fern photos I’ve seen." Dr T Hooker

The mossy Stonecrop were holding up...

The views were fine looking Eastwards

Westwards across Cheddar Lake towards Step Holm and Flat Holm Island in the Severn Estuary, with Wales on the other side, could just be made out.

We disturbed a kestrel and saw it fly off, as well as many butterflies including the iconic Chalk-hill blue butterfly. 

In a Vase On Monday - Better late than never

This is another little sample of material from the garden.  I am ashamed to say that these are from three weeks ago.  I have some new flowers steeping in some water...but I and they became overheated and its better just to allow both of us to cool down a little.

I have been so busy...gardening, decorating, going out, exploring, and blogging about our Crete Holiday, that it is only now that this arrangment makes an appearance.  

Better Late than Never....

I usually come back from holiday with some ideas as to what I may do differently.  I suppose one has hours of waiting, or travelling, and it gives one time to think, and plan.  I love linen...and have a drawer with some lovely unused items, and had decided to get them out, wash and use them.  I found the duck egg blue linen towels...not vintage, but brand new.  Here is one washed and ironed, and with my vase there are also three eggs from Paul's hens, one of which is blue. 

I love foliage, purples and greens and shape, and here are some of my favourites from the garden:
Flowers and leaves from Tiarella mint chocolate, Leaf of Geranium Blue Sunrise, with dark red leaves of a Heuchera, flower from Saxifrage umbrosa variegata, queen anne's lace, and two stems of the yellow winter flowering jasmine: Jasminum nudiflorum.

The white bloom which bees just love is Centaurea Montana Alba.  This was one of the prunnings from the total haircut the plant got.  It is shooting back nicely now, and I am looking to the second of several flushes the plant will give this year.  Its been very hot and dry, and looking back at my vase for a similar week last year, its interesting to see what was in the garden:

Just over a week ago, we joined Somerset Wildlife for a walk over their farm at the tops of the Mendips.  Chancellor farm has orchids which were so plentiful in the meadows, that it was literally a problem where to stand.  There were also scented orchids, but far fewer of them.

Just over our wall within the area which has many wild flowering plants, the Mouse-Ear Hawkweed is quietly putting on a fine display.

I am joining forces with Jean, and our aim is to have some areas in the Main Wells Cemetery and the old church yard at St Cuthbert's, where the wild flowers can be appreciated.  We saw this plant when we visited  on Saturday..and in the field had perhaps misidentified the plant.  Looking at the close up of the back, with its reddish marks on the back of the outer petals, has helped me to cross check and confirm its identity.

If it wasn't for the creator and stalwart of this meme who posts every week, for us 'occasional' contributors to join in, maybe I would not keep such an interesting record of what is going on in the garden.  Do go and see what she and other have posted, and perhaps join in too.

In a Vase on Monday - Lovestones

The more simple and 'common' the material for my vase, the more I feel that I have to find something to say about it which may be unknown or 'uncommon'.  Its been rather soggy and frosty over the last few days, and maybe it was because of this, we felt like a walk down the lane to enjoy some low summer sun.  In Somerset just along the boundary between the Mendips and the Levels we have hedges and ditches and  banks of evergreen Harts Tongue Fern, with ivy and other twining plants growing in the hedges.  Now the hedges are more or less leafless the outline of trees and longer views are a delight.  Being of short stature this is a bonus, where normally I have to stop at gateways, as a contrast Mr S being tall can normally forewarn me that a great view is coming up.

When I found that one of the old English regional names for Ivy was lovestones, I knew I had found the title for this week's arrangement.  Also it is just right because I love stones too.  Whether it is at the coast, or along a lake, or river, or just on a walk, my eye is drawn to pretty stones.....Just as my eye was drawn to the ivy in the hedgerows.

Ivies are wonderful for wildlife, it flowers late in the season, offering up their late nectar to nourish the last of the flying bees, bumblebees and hoverflies, and the berries too are enjoyed by the many birds here.

Upclose the geometry and texture of the flowers is interesting. Although this is the wild ivy, I do have a variegated ivy in the garden, not shown here, and enjoy the wide variety of shapes and forms in this family.

As always Cathy who hosts this meme has posted a colourful 'up beat' edition of In a Vase on Monday, so do go and see what others have come up.

Harridge Woods

Having visited these Woods earlier in the week on my first wild flower foray in Somerset, with a group of ladies,  I took Mr S on a little adventure.

We managed to cover far more of the woods and came across the Keeper's Cottage which now is 'home' to many species of roosting bats. We were pleased that we had taken our mountain walking sticks as part of the walks had been damaged during the tree felling, sending us down steep and sometimes rocky paths.

The walk along Home Wood with its little stream and large outcrops of rock were well worth it.  Along the stream were remains of various bits of machinery and evidence that the stream had powered machinery.  

The pretty Wych Elms had just set their winged fruits called samaras.  Despite being Easter Monday afternoon, it was very peaceful and we only came across two small groups.

On my first visit I had not been prepared with note book or camera, which I shall certainly take on my next trip. On the second visit I also did not make a note of all the flowers...but I can remember Solomon's Seal, Wild Garlic nearly blocking everything else in some parts, bluebells, wood anemone, celandines, water avens, many ferns, and beautiful small green opposite leaved golden saxifrage, primroses, violets, dog's mercury, and the barren strawberry.  These were also some attractive trees, some of which had been stoggled...coppiced at about waist height, apparently to prevent the roaming pigs from eating the new growth.  How true that is I don't know.  They were rather ancient with some middles hollow and covered in thick layers of moss through which several species of fern were growing.

Bluebells and just a few white bells

A short walk from home brought us to some lovely bluebell woods.

Mr S and I frequently have a little walk there at different times of the year.  It was here that my sister Jenny was enthralled by them, so when we see the bluebells we are reminded of taking her there.

Just a few photographs, and some of the wild white wood anemones.

 And I just opened the window on this lovely sunny afternoon to listen to the newly arrived swifts and house martins, as they circle over the garden.  I'll get out the binoculars and see if I can spot some swallows too.  Hurrah, hopefully dreary winter is over, we have some nice warm weather set for the next few days.

Short break in the Yorkshire Dales

After our holiday in Gunnerside last September, we thought that another short break in that area was due.  Mr S had missed out on visiting the Ribbleshead Viaduct, and we had just driven through quite close to this area, and found it very attractive.  On the way up we stopped to have our packed lunch, and very much enjoyed exploring the town.

 every looking skyward, they were some interesting ornamentation

 We walked up to the Castle

and had lovely views

As we still had some time and a little energy, we popped into Settle to have a look around.  It was coming to closing time, and the very helpful people at the Tourist Information Centre suggested that as we were interested in architecture and railways, that we walk down to see if the lovely people at The Water Tower had their gate open.  Do go to the link and see what a great up-use has been made of this once derelict building.  We found it and very much enjoyed the walk round the garden, the back of the house, and a chat with the owner, when we told him we were from Kenilworth.  He said we were the first visitors from Kenilworth.  The whole house looked very interesting.  You don't get to look round inside!  However you can tell that it would be very interesting.  We were asked to sign the visitors book.  The reason I am making a particular point of adding this visit to the Water Tower House, is that a friend from Kenilworth visited the next day, and sent me a picture of the visitors book, with her entry just three entries down.

We stayed at the New Inn in Clapham, which was in an excellent location, in a beautiful village, with very little traffic.  It has been nicely redecorated, and has a good car park at the rear.  The public areas were also very attractive.  We had great breakfasts, and delicious evening food.  One evening I had just a seafood salad, which was perfect.

We found out from the village noticeboard that there was a guitar and harp concert at the Local Church that evening, and went out early for that.  If you have the opportunity to going to one their concerts, then you will have a wonderful evening.  They were Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman.  What  a great duo, we had such a variety of music and the banter was entertaining too...and how nice to be greeted so warmly by some of the friendly villagers whom we had chatted with just in the last 24 hours.  I did my thing too, by rescuing a bat crawling along the isle.  I took it up in my scarf and carried it outside, so much better for it than getting trodden on!  The wine and home made cheese scones made by the villagers was excellent too.

The village itself had several interesting businesses/shops. There was one dealing in sheepskin gloves, slippers etc, a really lovely wool shop Beckside Yarns, which was full of the most wonderful yarns.  I had a nice chat with the owner, who although has a web 'presence' deals just with the vast number of calling customers.  Just next door is a large shop selling retro items.  I bought myself a couple of old plant pots and a codswallop pop bottle.  The village shop too was well stocked.

Another find was the Bunk House....we dropped by after having a chat with the 'Landlord' about the lovely doorway.  We were going to have lunch after our long walk, but arrived later than we thought, so opted to share their Yorkshire afternoon tea for one: a very large sandwich on superb bread, salad garnish, fruit cake and Wensleydale cheese, scone, cream and jam, tea and an extra coffee...well we had been out for about five hours! We sat outside in the sunshine watching the world pass by:  a few walkers and cyclists.

On the ground floor:  half is a teashop and the second half a pub, the uppers are a bunk house for groups travelling through. Looks like the manor house  got a special update in 1701, when this lovely fireplace, front door and dovecote got added.

What a lovely love token...carved in stone and still standing over three hundred years later.

The houses in Clapham are well maintained, and we enjoyed little walks around...here are just a few.  I love the canopies over the doors.

A short stroll along the river and over the little stone Brokken Bridge, found us at the start of the trail through the Ingleborough Estate Nature.  The river which runs down the middle of the village is so pretty and we stopped to watch the birds and ducks, and this little waterfall.

There is a little toll to pay on entry which we were more than happy to contribute to.  There is a leaflet to help point out the points of interest which would be quite easy to walk past.  The former large landowner Reginal Farrer was a botanist and plant collector, travelling in China, Tibet and Upper Burma in the early twentieth century,  and in the woods you could see some lovely specimens, which he planted. 

Along the footpath there are views across the picturesque lake, which was dammed and enlarged and has been producing hydroelectricity since 1893. 

I love geological features and remember this one's name from my Geography Lessons:  The Craven Fault.  Here the fault lies at the head of The Lake, and thanks to the marker we made a stop to enjoy it.

One place we found gave us contradictory emotions. The first one was the wonder at such a beautiful, large, old yew tree, then a feeling of sadness which Mr S felt coming off the tree...he felt it was suffering from all the coins which had been knocked into almost every accessible piece of it. 

It was surviving, but how sad to see such a mutilated tree.

This lovely old stone bench helped to dispel the gloom.

as did the Grotto

As we came out by the Ingleborough Cave, we crossed the stone bridge which passes over the stream which emerges here, having disappeared down the sink hole at Gaping Gill which is further up the Valley.

We followed the track till we came to this narrow cleft in the limestone

Trow Gill was formed by ice age melt waters, and we needed to clamber up some steep stones

and at the top some limestone pavements.  Mr S felt he did some 'climbing', but he is not the one who has crossed the Pyrenees, or done the Tour de Mont Blanc, come moi!

We arrived at our turning point Gaping Gill where the stream falls around 100m then goes through a series of caves 

there were surefooted sheep very close by

on our way back I stopped to admire numerous ferns of which these are just a few

After our Yorkshire High Tea, we set off by car to visit the Ribblehead Viaduct.  The route there and back had the most fabulous of views of the hills, and valleys.  We parked up and enjoyed our walk to the Bridge.  We have traveled across it several times in Steam Trains, but down in the Valley you can easily understand the scale, and the extraordinary feat it was to build this viaduct.

Mr S had to admire the stonework

On the way back, having gazed at the beautiful clouds, I looked down and could not believe my eyes:  small, really small flowers growing in the close cropped turf.  They looked like gentians, but they were mauve, not blue like the gentians on the continent...and both five and four petals in the blooms in the same clump!  Having come home and searched, I find that they are gentians:  Autumn Gentians.

We just stayed a couple of nights, and have much more to go back for.  On our homeward bound journey we stopped at Malham Cove.  The weather was quite different to the previous day, still dry, but with a slight mist in the air.  We made our way along a rather 'too tidy' path, presumably to make access for wheelchairs etc, up to the famous cliff face, where there were several parties of absailers.

The traffic coming home was ghastly!  My hero drove all the way and kept his cool ..