Red Rise (again)

Summit or other

The view from Townley Shentons memorial seat sited on the highest point of the undulating ridge which runs above Kimmeridge Bay, looking over Worbarrow Bay towards Mupe, was obscured by low mists rolling in from the sea. I say rolling in, when really the raced in chased by strong winds; the mists, often so thick they closed the view to a few meters, parting briefly to allow this shot. Compare this to the shot taken on the 3rd of June from the same spot.

Beefy

The Beefsteak mushroom has a shape which resembles a large tongue, with a rough reddish-brown coloured surface. It bleeds a dull red juice when cut, and the cut flesh resembles meat, which is how it gets its name. This mushroom is fairly common in the forest, and can often be found on the trunks of Oaks. It's edible and I have eaten them on several occasions, although they're not a favourite of mine.

Red sky at night

Red Rise Break

Ripe Moon

Tonight is a full moon, the full moon known as the 'Ripe moon' for its association with the burgeoning fruits of the forthcoming harvest. At some stages the moon looked more like the sun, all definition on its surface obscured by the reflection of the retreating sun, creating a night sun effect, a glowing orange globe in the night sky. I wondered, how many people had noticed this natural wonder and more to the point how many people ever notice the glory of the natural world about them; not many I'd wager, more inclined to have their eyes caught by flash cars, expensive houses and the transient bling of our consumer society.

Douglas

Douglas Firs can be found spread all over the forest, their majestic form easily noticable amoungst the smaller trees, truly a giant of the forest.

Stag party

Evening time along the Ober water below Markway Bridge is a popular watering spot for woodland animals; the banks of this narrow section of waterway, recently remodelled, though deep in places currently running shallow over its gravel beds, frequently sees scores of Deer, Ponies, Cows, all manner of birds and occasionally Foxes. Tonight was no exception. The introduction of a dog soon cleared the banks of Deer sending them scurrying for cover, leaving Ponies and Cows unperturbed to graze and drink alone. On a nearby rise two medium sized Stags watched on, weary of the potential predator, yet holding their ground; they watched as we followed the stream. 

Gravel

The lack of water in the land is at its most noticeable in the streams of the northern forest, smaller catchment areas and minimal rain have contributed to several streams being reduced to gravel tracks.  Linford Brook is one such stream, the water still runs, but now invisible to the eye, below sun dried stones, occasionally pooling in dark stagnant ponds.  Most of Linford Brooks tributaries are completely dry, the pond on Greenford Bottom, which earlier in the year overflowed with tadpoles, is nothing more than a rapidly drying mud hole. Makes you think about water, I'm reasonably sure that at some point the rains will come and the brook will flow strongly once again, what must it be like not to be sure......shit. 

Shield #1

Backley Holmes

After several days of rain the sky cleared towards evening time allowing clear skys with just enough cloud low on the horizon to make an interesting sunset.  Backley Holmes is an open area of neatly manicured grassland dotted with a few mature Oaks set in the high central plateau of the forest.  Once assessable via a passing forest road between Burley and the north forest, the site would have been an ideal site for summer picnics, now though, the road is decommissioned and decayed, truncated by the A31, and the Holmes only really accessible after a lengthy walk.

Sloden Hill

Philip K dicks, Electric Ant

The green wood pt2

The 200 year old Oaks of Broomy enclosure (1809) are decked in their summer finery, bedded in a thick sea of ferns, now reaching their full height.  Lush, verdant and vibrant, the woodland exudes life.

Dogs Life

Markway Bridge

Red Rise Brook meanders through Oak woodland at Markway Bridge, beyond the road the brook becomes Ober Water and travels through mainly open grass and heath until Puttles Bridge were it enters woodland fringe again, but for now it glides quietly through dappled shade. Dry weather transforming what was a racing flood a few months ago to no more than a trickle barely covering the stream bed in places.  The wheel keeps on turning.

Chapmans Pool

St Albans Head shrouded in mist as seen from the rocky shoreline on the western side of Chapmans Pool.

Ogdens Purlieu

The view from the Hasley Enclosure over the wet heathland of Ogdens Purlieu. Hasley enclosure was created in 1846, when it was planted with Oak, Sweet Chestnut and some Larch and Pine. Today only remnants remain around the eastern fringes of the woodland as during the 1960' areas were cleared and replanted with Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Scots Pine. This area is particularly beautiful, open, with an air of wild exposure; in the sun the land feels welcoming, although during the long wet months of winter the area, like others of its kind, are foreboding, dangerous underfoot and yet still you are drawn. 

Orchids

Orchids, in the foreground are Violet Helleborines (rather rare) and a Pyramidal Orchid, also present were Marsh Orchis (not shown), all were present in large numbers on the slides under Hounds Tout.

Brightest Day

Things are changing in Star city, now filled with extensive mature woodland, where city building lay in ruins after a previous event. First in a new run, Green Arrow, Brightest Day, looking and reads like a fine story, looking forward to more.

Oooooooooh

Jurrasic

The cliffs of the Jurrasic coast are breached and obscured by the thick sea mists which flood over the cliffs and inland, filling the valleys and creating a beautiful specticale. 

Mud Mountain

The sea mists which had blanketed the Jurrasic coast retreat as the the evening turns to night, revealling Worbarrow Tout or as we know it 'Mud Mountain' after adventures climbing its side during a wet winter many years ago.

Flowers Barrow

Two Deer enjoy the sunset from the ramparts of Flowers Barrow, an Iron Age hillfort on the cliff top where Ridge Hill meets the sea. They noticed us, yet continued with thier foraging, only occasionally throwing us a glance, checking we'd not crept closer.

Ridge Hill

Summer Solstice sunrise

On the morning of the 21st of June the air was clean and fresh, yet not cold as we walked along Ridge Hill before the sun had come up. The valleys below the ridge were shrouded in mist as the inhabitants of the valleys numerous hamlets and farms slept. Still standing watch over the natural path through Ridge Hill at Corfe is the towns castle, its ruined form appeared strange and mystical caught between the sunrise and the mists.