Feathered Thorn

The Feathered Thorn moth, that's some crazy looking eyes this fella's got.

Swan on the Stour

A swan glides gracefully on the still waters of the River Stour just above the stone weir near Iford. 

Buckland Rings

Can you spot where we camped?  Two days ago we camped here, had a fire, watched the skies, drank and chatted, although walking here today, even knowing where we camped, I could see no trace; and that's how to do it.  Leave no trace.

Milton Cliff Bunker

The coastline of southern Britain is littered with the relics of war, of defence and of invasion fears. The cliffs between Barton and Milton on Sea are no exception. Now little more than a jumble of shattered concrete, a bunker/pillbox of some form stood guard in the early 1940's, waiting for the German 'Operation Sea Lion', the invasion of Britain, to begin. Thanks to the RAF that invasion never came. I've studied World War Two defences for some years now, and although amongst the concrete remains I've identified embrasures, the form of this site still eludes me, of course that could be as it was a hybrid form, which was a common practice to facilitate the specific strategic requirements of individual locations.  30m East there is the concrete base of another feature, although nothing further remains beyond a base. On a summers day war seems so distant, although there must be locals still remember those fearful days and what the coast looked like then; it would great to hear their stories.

Wooton Wood Mill?

I've seen these concrete forms in several places throughout the forest and I believe they are the foundations for saw mill machinery, although I cannot be sure as I've had little luck finding documentation on such sites. What I do know is that the forest timber was heavily used during both world wars; during the first as shuttering for trench works and pit props and in the second mainly as pit props, as warfare had changed and trenches less common, whereas industrialization had increased the need for coal. There are plenty of surrounding earthen features which require further investigation when the surrounding ferns have died back. The forest if full of hidden history.

Water Mint

Mentha Aquatica or water mint is a common sight along the fringes of our forest streams and wetlands, flourishing in both full sun or dappled shade. You can often smell its presence long before you see it, and what a beautiful plant it is to behold whose sent is heavenly, green leafs frequently tinged with purple flank a square stalk leading to a crowded round head of pinky lilac flowers. Just like others of the mint family it can be utilized in cooking and drinks.

Robbed Brick

Once a fine red brick bridge crossed the Ringwood to Brockenhurst rail line here, although some time after the line was closed, the majority of bricks were removed, leaving only small sections of the wall as a monument to past industrial activity in the forest. 

Beech mast

It looks like it could be a good year for Beech Mast, many of the forest Beech boughs are hanging low under their weight. Beech Mast are also known as 'Beechnuts', hidden inside a rough haired burr is a 3 sided nut case in side which is a similar shaped nut, small and laborious to process though they are, the nut has a pleasant taste, although mildly astringent, with enough fat content that once beechnuts were widely utilized as a source of edible oil.

Beefsteak

This is a young specimen of the fairly common Fistulina hepatica, the Beefsteak mushroom, usually found on Oaks, and sometimes Sweet Chestnut, in the forest, the flesh of this bracket fungus is soft and pinkish red, fading with age. When young, if cut, it exudes red blood like juice and looks like fresh meat.

Frogger

Look! This frog is nearly as big as a dog.

Green embrace

The forest has closed in, confusing to any walker who strays from the main tracks, all the familiar side paths off the beaten tracks are now hidden by late summers rampant growth, it takes concentration to keep a straight course. You can turn through 360 degrees and the view is so similar as to look the same. Immersing yourself in the forest you're embraced in greenery as nature wraps around you like a blanket.  Some don't like the forest when it's like this, feeling claustrophobic and preferring more open spaces, not I, I enjoy natures embrace and feel at home. 

Evening on the Stour

A quiet evening walk along the still, slow moving River Stour above Throop Mill.

Last burst of colour

It's a strange phenomena that as the Sun retires for the day from our part of the globe to shine on others, it offers us one last momentary burst of glorious warm colour before is sinks below the horizon. Thanks Sun.

Woodland Deer

If you keep your eyes open as you walk through the forest it's amazing what you can spot. Throughout Brinken Wood, Deer in groups of 2 or 3 were resting amongst the stands and fallen trunks, you could easily pass them unawares, they though are aware of you, but unless they perceive you as a threat they remain still and wait for you to pass. I've noticed over the last few years they have become too accustomed to people. Their reaction to humans differs from their county side cousins, for example, out at Clearbury the Deer saw us coming a mile off and were gone, barking loudly.  Whilst in the forest they often allow you to get too close for their safety, not all humans are benign.

Chucky

Walking through Great Huntley Bank I was struck by the frequency of Laetiporus sulphureus, Chicken of the woods, I must have seen more that a dozen clumps in less than 10 minuets. Chicken of the woods are edible, though caution should be taken as they can cause stomach upsets and although you may have eaten them previously, they can have an accumulative effect, causing sickness where they hadn't before.  If in doubt, leave them out. I've eaten them in the past with no effect, although I shy away from them now and haven't eaten them for 10 years or more.

Rowan

Walking this evening in the forest the Rowan trees, Sorbus Aucuparia, created bright points of orange red colour amongst the deep sea of greens.  Rowan berries are edible, very tart, high in vitamin C and are traditionally made into a jelly to accompany meats. I thought I'd try a berry to see how tart they were and peeled back the skin. Well, the berries reputation for tartness is not misplaced, it was like putting your tongue on a 9 volt battery. How I giggled.

Oysters

The light rains we've had recently have caused the dormant mushrooms of the forest to start to show themselves. Several fallen Beech have clumps of fresh Pleurotus ostreatus, Oyster mushrooms on them. Oysters can be found throughout most of the year, except when it's frosty and make a fine addition to many recipes or on their own. I had these for breakfast, lightly fried in butter on toast rubbed with garlic, nice.

Mam moth

The Poplar Moth, what a beauty. I've always loved Moths, fascinated by their beauty, so fine and intricate, often colourful and always attractive, and yet they come out at night, under Arianrhod's light.  This one was in our house this morning, drawn by the artificial moon light of the light bulb.

Sequana

They say that the Celtic river Goddess Sequana, only becomes visible when the stream beds are bare, well the stream beds of the forest are certainly that, with some of the smaller tributaries having no flow at all. Maybe they're right, although I prefer to hear her babble as she flows.

Sloe

Prunus spinosa, the Sloe or Blackthorn, this year maybe shaping up to be better than last, with more visible viable fruit on the forest trees. Last year I had a job to find enough to make a decent quantity of Sloe vodka.  I heard a country chap once call them 'winking berries' on account of the face you pull when eating them raw, very apt. The Blackthorn has been used by humans for centuries, with their stones found on prehistoric settlement sites and in the stomach of Otzi, the frozen prehistoric body found in the Alps. The berries can be made into jam, used in fruit pies and preserved in vinegar. The wood is good and hard, with a fine grain and has been traditionally used for clubs and walking sticks; the wood is also good for burning producing a good heat. All round another of natures bountiful gifts. 

View from Clearbury Rings

Butterflies

The Celts, along with others, believed that butterflies were spirits transformed, in transition, spirits waiting for the opportunity to be reborn, symbols of rebirth. Apt then that the ancient hillfort of Clearbury was favoured with them in abundance; butterflies in a myriad of forms and colours feasted on wild Marjoram and other grassland plants.  More than I had seen for a long time.  Clearbury was once a mighty fortification, stronghold and tribal centre, although you wouldn't know it now, cloaked in mature Ash and Beech, it's ramparts and ditches invisible, a well kept secret. From a distance the hill looks nothing more that a woodland clump. But the butterflies know.

Knowlton Lughnasadh

Lovely Lughnasadh ritual at Knowlton with the beautiful folk of the Dorset Grove.

Lughnasadh

 

We see by the ear,
that first harvest is here.
The Oak Kings work holds good.

Though now our green man's time has come,
to be put to earth, beneath a weakening Sun.
Although, we've still a journey 'till all harvest's are done.

So tonight we'll feast with happy heart,
we understand what now ends, again will start.
And as darker days approach, we raise a glass, a grateful toast.

Blessings at Lughnasadh to y'all