Durlston Head

Nice.

Tilly Whim Caves

Waking up in the wilds is always a treat, the air is clean and the day feels full of opportunity. After a fine and hearty breakfast, we packed our gear, cleaned our pitch and set off for a walk. The cliffs had begun to fill with climbers taking advantage of the good weather; climbing looks like fun, I've just not got the bottle.

The area around Round Down and Tilly Whim caves and was our choice for a walk, a place we'd not been for some considerable years, although after our walk it was decided we should visit again soon to explore further this section of the Purbecks we had overlooked.

Hedbury Quarry

The Purbeck coastline is synonymous with quality stone, stone which finds itself crafted into important buildings and monuments far from the lashing seas of home. There was a time when men worked seams of the various stone types found here by hand, the stone moved by horse and bout. Now, although many of the quarries have closed and those remaining are found further inland, the cliffs are still pock marked by galleries and quarry sites of old.

Such a quarry site is Hedbury. Hedbury, just East of Seacombe, is similar in size and nature to the quarry just beyond it at Dancing ledge, although a greater area has been reclaimed by grasses. It was here we sought to spend the night wild camping. Bashers set up, a small fire burning in a ad hock fire place, spectacular views, some food, some drink and good friends banter; it doesn't get much better.

Flown the nest

This amazing neatly cut hole leads to a woodpecker nest, I believe it's now empty, although evidence of recent occupation is still visible by downy feathers. The workmanship involved in creating these homes, cut by beaks into sturdy trunks and boughs, is some feat; this one is in a mature sweet chestnut. It's amazing what you see, when take notice of whats around you.

Ade

Ade was in the Forest in '78.

Stag Beetle

It's been a good few years since I've seen a Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus), this female was in the back garden.

Rempstone

Nature is slowly consuming Rempstone stone circle. Not so many years ago the site was open, clear and airy; now moss creeps over the stones, crawling tendrils of Ivy establish foot holds and the boughs of surrounding trees crowd in. The plantation woodland is dark and dank, little grows, water lays in numerous hollows, amongst the regular coniferous stands where the ground is undulus; the adjacent narrow band of deciduous woodland is slightly more open, more alive, with more diverse flora. Most of what remains of Rempstone Stone Circle is found amongst the latter narrow band; the missing section, truncated by the plantation. I pause here a while, it is Solstice after all.

'Summer' Solstice

The glorious orange globe of the Sun rose majestically over the Eastern horizon illuminating a perfect azure sky, smiling down, radiating its warming rays to bathe the Earth; problem was you couldn't see it. At 0452, up on Nine Barrow Down for this mornings Solstice sunrise, thick mists clung so close to the ground that visibility was nought more than a few meters. But you knew the Sun was there and that's all that matters.

Later, descending through the lush and verdant woodland below the barrows, towards Rempstone stone circle, the mists had cleared significantly, though enough remained to imbue Kings Wood with a mystical quality.

Brightest Blessings this Summer Solstice.

Honeysuckle

In the evenings the woodland's filled with the scent of Honeysuckle; Honeysuckle scent has a quality unlike any other woodland flower. You smell the plant before you see it, at which point your heart is lifted and you spirit stirred.

Mudeford Harbour

Mudeford Harbour near Sunset, with the Purbeck hills in the distance. I love the colour of the sea at this time of the day, it has a magical quality to it.

Heath Spotted Orchid

Nice!

Adder

A small female Adder (Vipera berus), which had been playing it cool, motionless, hidden in plain sight in a puddle, decided it was time to move out as my clumping boot clad feet approached and slid deftly into the undergrowth; even as it moved it was guarded, ready to strike if required.

Open to the skies

Foal

A foal plays in Red Rise, content to frolic alone or just as happy joining with other foals for a gallop amongst the stands.

Oak over

The results of climate change continue to be felt throughout the forest. From the banks of Highland water another Oak has succumbed to the natures forces out of time and toppled; too dry for too long, the subsequent deluge, too wet too quick, roots lose purchase and over it goes. Highland water is being reshaped by the surging waters, the dry banks easily eroded, carried and redeposited; a constantly changing, truly fluid, natural phenomenon is the forest stream.

Fire building practice

Walking the banks of Highland water, a spur of the moment fire building practice; quick as I can, to gather materials and have a fire started. Dried bracken and Birch bark peelings to take a spark from a 'strike force', Birch twigs for kindling and dead holly twigs for fuel. Success, about 7 Min's.

Warwickslade Cutting

Pignuts

Pignuts are blooming all along Warwickslade Cutting, where the ground is damp under the dappled shade of mature crowns. The Pignut is a member of the Parsley family, with clusters of tiny white umbel flowers, with fennel/dill type leaves and growing about 25cm high; to find the the nut, which is about 10cm or so below ground, you have to follow the stem to find the nut which is towards the end.

The 'nut' is usually covered in dirt, which when removed reveals the papery skin which requires peeling, leaving the 'nut' ready to eat, it has a nutty taste.

Latchmore Brook

Not what you'd expect to see in June, although maybe the shape of things to come; Latchmore Brook rushes through the bank side stands of Amberwood, seeking new paths and channels after running into a series of old log jams. The rain has subsided leaving a sodden landscape, more a kin to spring than summer. Although, the fast moving forest brooks are removing the water at great speed. Crossing Dockens Water at Holly Hatch, both outward and returning, the water level had dropped by 20-25cm in just over an hour.

Among the trunks of Amberwood, beside the brook, huge quantities of 'Pignut' are found growing; digging through the softened soil, it takes little effort or time to collect the 'nuts'.

Yew Chicken

The Yew trees, common in Sloden, appear to be a particular favourite of Chicken of the woods; I've not seen so may Chicken fungi before. Concerns I had about gathering fungi from the poisonous Yew appear founded, as on investigation the consensus was negative, ranging from 'possibly poisonous' to 'potentially fatal'; so, anything growing on Yew's is best avoided then.

Mighty Oak

Clearbury Rings

The sky was hued heavy grey and rain lashed down as I approached Clearbury Ring through drenched knee high undergrowth. Clearbury sits in chalk grassland just beyond the forest to the North; a top a tree crowned hill, this ancient Hillfort commands views over the Avon valley. It has single ditch and rampart (although a slighter outer bank is visible on the Southern side) and dates from the Iron Age; one of several in the area belonging to the Durotriges.

Here comes the rain again

Rainbow tides

Dozens of Damselfly wings cover stream side pebbles.

Chicken of the woods

Had more wild food been required, the forest provided further fungal fayre by the way of two healthy clumps of Chicken of the Woods. Chunked or stripped, fried and added to stews or casseroles they represent good eating.

Dinner's served

Keeping an eye out, the forest will frequently present you with wild food opportunities. This group of Oyster Mushrooms made a pleasant addition to the evenings dinner.

Catapillar

Meandering

Highland Water gently meanders through Great Huntley Bank; surely, the loveliest stretch of woodland stream to be found throughout the forest.