Lazy graze

Pinnick Autumn

Birch

The smell of Autumn

Deep in the shadowy wood of mature Beech, the swish of a Fallows tail catches the eye, and just as swiftly it disappears again; the transient experience leaves you wondering if you saw it at all. Caught of guard whilst drifting deep in thought, for a moment I'm distracted, too many sounds flood my ears, over loading my senses; the forest is an audio riot of calls and sounds. Gone are the sweet bird song of spring and summer, raucous calls emanate from the canopy, things move noisily, yet unseen amongst the ferns, now browning rapidly. A familiar dank smell fills your nostrils, summer, for what it was worth, has been replaced by Autumn, now fully entrenched. The light rain of late has moistened the leaf litter, softening the sound of your foot steps, making your transit through the woods almost silent, other than the occasional brittle twigs. Suddenly, a fallow Deer jumps over a long fallen Beech, bounding into view only meters away, it stares momentarily and then is gone, disappearing. The sky lightens and although the Sun's not visible, the air warms, filling the air with a sweet damp smell, the smell of Autumn.

River Stour

Autumnal equinox (Mabon)

The wheel turns to Mabon, a moment of equilibrium; equal light equal dark, not long before night conquers day and the land sleeps.

The harvest moon, oversees this transition; harvests are gathered in and gratitude given for natures bounties.

The old Sun worked his magic well and now returns to the Goddess; soon chill winds will stalk the land, be not afraid though, all is as it should be.

Celebrate and give thanks, reflect and rest, lay the plans for new campaigns; the wheel is turning.

Fly Agaric

Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria. The Fly Agaric is poisonous. It is known to cause hallucinations, violent stomach upsets, uncontrollable muscle spasms and could be fatal in large doses. The Vikings are said to have consumed Fly Agarics to dispel fears before battle and is thought to be where the term 'Beserker' come from.

Purple poo eater

Walking through Burley Old enclosure we noticed this tiny gem amongst the leaf litter, a Dor Beetle Geotrupes stercorarius, a dung beetle. The purply blue colour was intense.

The spirit of Jazz

The Spirit of Jazz is a young Steer Calf, so named for his resemblance (in my mind) to the afore mentioned Mighty Boosh character. First noticed a couple of months ago, he must rue our appearance as we approach calling out in recognition.

Lager

Stupid people have been at work again in the woods, their logic eludes me, why leave the can behind? Presumably you've come out to the forest because you dig it, the nature, its unspoilt bueaty and your beer can was heavy when you carried out but you carried, so why after enjoying the woods and the beer, the can of which is now empty and lighter, do you leave your shit behind you. Makes no sense!

Gotham Sirens

Set after the events of 'Heart of Hush' and the Batmans demise, Gotham City's criminal females,Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy battle with Gaggy, the Jokers one time side kick as he tries to kill Harley; the manage to save her, but Gaggy escapes.

Coastal defences

Whether or not they'd have been a deterrent to or defence against Hitlers invasion forces in 1940, we'll never know; one thing's for certain, this reinforced concrete Type 22 Pillbox has been no match for the forces of nature, as is attested to by it's current position buried in the inter tidal. Now almost completely buried, I can remember being able to crawl inside at low tide.

Life's a beach

Glow

A warm Autumn glow, from a diminishing sun floods the woods, every time the traveling clouds allow, casting long shadows through a quiet landscape, before the woodland is once again returned to shade. Colour is saturating the forest, the greens remain so vivid, the developing browns, reds and oranges of Autumn and the purples of the heathland Heathers. Through Red Rise little stirs, although I'm sure that behind this veneer of tranquility the woodland inhabitants are frantically working on their preparations for the coming winter. We did see Deer today, close to Red Rise Brook, the first time for nearly a week; we got close before they were startled by our approach and darted for the cover of the deeper woodland. Evidence of Boletus is everywhere, in familiar locations and those you never imagined, so many, literally hundreds; all are either eaten or gone over. Winking Berries (sloes) are bountiful as are Crab Apples and Haws, whilst still the Blackberries have come to nothing much.

Amanita pantherina

Amanita pantherina or more commonly the Panther Cap is very hallucinogenic/poisonous, although not normally fatally so. Listed as uncommon or infrequent, he forest is full of these distinctive mushrooms.

Log Jam

The stretch of Avon Water below Wootton Bridge runs straight until it clears Broadley Enclosure, where it returns to a more natural meander. At one point along the straight, before an open grassy area, an extensive log jam has developed; I remember it from last winter, it's remarkably stable and remains as steadfast as it did 3 seasons ago. It's going to make a formidable obstacle when the rains come.

Harbour nights

The sun goes down over Christchurch Harbour, taken from Mudeford Quay.

Gathering

Mushrooms continue to flourish throughout the shade (Red Rise), found in good quantities at all the usual spots, as well as areas not previously fruitful. I wasn't going to pick today, although in the end I returned with well over a kilo. It dawned on me, I was assuming that the season would continue with the vigor it currently exhibits, a luxury of modern opulence, where as for a hunter gatherer in our temperate zone it could be the difference between subsistence and starvation. To procure the resources required whilst they present themselves in substantial quantities would be prudent. Assumption has kicked me in the arse too many times.

Latchmore Brook

Yew

ExCEPtional

They've been about in varying numbers for the past couple of weeks, although today was the first pick of the season; and a first class haul it was too. A kilo and a half, firm and fruity, few maggots to spoil them either. There were plenty out there, I could have picked 5 times as much, easily! Lets hope it's a sign of a good season to come. Other edible mushrooms are still abroad, the brightly coloured clumps of Chicken of the woods continue to be seen, as do Beefsteaks.

Portuguese Fireplace

Portuguese Fireplace lies adjacent the roadside near Millyford Bridge; a nearby plaque explains what the Portuguese Fireplace represents.

’This is the site of a hutted camp occupied by a Portuguese army unit during the First World War. This unit assisted the depleted local labour force in producing timber for the war effort. The Forestry Commission have retained this fireplace from the cookhouse as a memorial to the men who lived and worked here and acknowledge the financial assistance of the Portuguese Government in its renovation.’

Highland Water

As I launched in to the days walk, 'It should hold off' said the nearby forest ranger regarding the grey soup which hung above us, moments later it began to rain softly; it's a funny old world. By the time we reached the edge of Holmhill Enclosure which was first enclosed 1815, primarily with conifers and a number of broad-leaves (Oak and Beech with Silver Birch), the rain has increased. Reaching Highland Water the rain has now become a noisy cacophony on the canopies over hanging the stream. The canopy creates an effective shield, with only the occasional rain drop penetrating. The nature of the terrain combined with the verdant flora conspire to create a tangible sense of isolation as we make our way up stream; there is no visible indication of human presence or intervention. Occasionally, stands of tightly clustered Silver Birch create impenetrable screens, obscuring the already limited views, making the forest close in.

We saw a couple of wooden (survey?) posts on either bank of Highland Water, worrying. Bog woodland restoration is all the flavour at the moment, stream walks and views, I'd known for decades have gone, 'restored'; I don't want that to happen here, this section of Highland Water represents the last stretch of stream of its kind, it has a wildness and presence of its own.

Reflector

Fletch

Fletchers Thorns (1829) is bathed in rich light; Autumn may hold dominion over the night, but still, with the Sun shining and the blue sky almost clear of cloud, Summer clings convincingly to the day. The plantations Oaks are tall and straight, the ground covered in waist to shoulder high Ferns, a pleasure to wander through. Fletchers Water, formally Black Water, has always been a favourite stretch of stream, running through the edge of Fletchers Thorns, I thought it timesless; imagine my shock and dismay finding the quest for the restoration of bog woodland has been at work returning water courses to their previous channels, thus encouraging seasonal flooding encouraging the return of vital and rare habitats, their flora and fauna. The once broad stream has been replaced by a thin snaking brook, with numourus tightly grouped meanders. Change is always such a pisser!

Play misty for me

As evening falls, mists rise from Red Rise Brook above Markway bridge, flooding through the flanking woodland, they thicken and flow out from beneath the Oak canopy to flood the adjacent open heath. The evenings are Autumns stronghold; a cool, crisp breeze grips the land, dampness permeates and for the first time in months your warm breath fogs when making contact with the air. A sure sign of seasonal change.

Chuck

Latchmore Bottom

Latchmore Bottom from Abbots Well.