For illustrated talks on natural history and history see www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

For illustrated talks on natural history and history click here for www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

Sunday 24 May 2009

Cuckfield circular walk 8.5 miles

In perfect weather, 13 of us enjoyed this walk from the Mid Sussex Ramblers' program of walks.
The red campion in New England wood was in full bloom.
The first drinks stop on the High Weald Landscape trail.
Click on any picture to expand.
The scent of the Azalias in Pickwell was wonderful, as were the Rhodo's.
After lunch though a classic meadow.

Friday 15 May 2009

Cowdray Forest evening circular; Heroines in the rain

This, 2.4 miles circular on a Friday evening was from the Mid Sussex Ramblers' program of walks.
It was in the program in response to a request from working people for evening walks on a Friday instead of our usual Wednesdays.
Working people, it seems, don't like continuous rain. They didn't come in droves.
Betty, Sue and Pat though did turn up, as did Pete (who needs to remain anonymous).
For their support -- through RAIN and shine Betty, Sue and Pat are the very first to be awarded the
SUSSEXRAMBLER AWARD of MERIT
.
This is no simple honorary award -- prestigious though it is!
In addition to the great honour, recipients get a FREE drink at our next pub stop in recognition of their support in THE RAIN!
The following pictures were taken the day after our return from Church Stretton (see next entries), when the weather was a little kinder.
It is a lovely walk.
Search your program for a repeat on a WEDS evening when perhaps it may not be continuous rain.
CLICK on any picture to expand.

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Church Stretton 3; Wenlock Edge

Eric by a fine bracket fungus.


Lovely early purple orchids.
Sweet Woodruff, Galium odoratum is one of the Bedstraw family.



The area was dominated by sheep and oilseed rape. Notably absent, compared to Sussex, were pigeons, pheasants, rabbits and badgers sets. Some dead badgers were seen on the roads.
This handsome insect inspected my shirt cuff and lunch during the lunch break. It might be a sawfly, the larvae of which live on ground elder.

Oak catkins.
Barbara photographing the group walking through a huge field of oilseed rape.






A typical view from the Edge.
Click to expand.

Evening briefings from our leaders, David and Juliet and Sue.

A great time was had by all. Many thanks Sue, David and Juliet.

Church Stretton 2; A stroll up the Longmynd.


Green-veined whites, Artogeia napi were plentiful on the lower slopes.




Bilberries, Vaccinium myrtillus in great swathes near to and on the top.
They were not yet ripe.



Common heather was controlled by burning in places to promote new growth, which is eaten by grouse and sheep.


There is a dramatic contrast between the heavily grazed farmland and lightly grazed upland heathland. The wind chill at the point was quite harsh in a strong wind.

Church Stretton 1; The walk through Rectory Wood to the town.


The shortcut through the meadow from the Longmynd Hotel to the church.
It is gravely important not to plant the wrong plant in the wrong place.
Rectory wood.

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