Pyramidal orchid

A Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), an orchid fond of chalk grassland, so right at home on the rampart of Chiselbury Camp.

Cranborne Chase

 

It was destination Cranborne Chase this morning, an early start too, and it was glorious; a 14.7 mile traverse of the Ebble Valley in the best early spring has to offer; we were out early enough that we didn't see another soul until nearly halfway through our walk, and no more than a handful throughout our journey. I value all the seasons and their varied aspects, though for me the it has to be spring and autumn that I most enjoy and connect with; the energy of spring is particularly tangible, and visible in every corner of the landscape. Following ancient droves, tracks and paths we wound our way down through, across, and up the other side of the beautiful Ebble Valley. By the time we reached Chiselbury Camp Iron Age Hillfort on the Old Shaftesbury Drove the sun 's warmth had wrestled victory from the early morning chill, and it felt as if all nature rejoiced; I certainly did. Sat on Chiselbury camp's defencive bank we had clear views across the lovely Nadder Valley, Salisbury in one direction Shaftesbury in the other. Above us in a clear blue sky half a dozen birds of prey circled gracefully as they eyed breakfast, most striking though was the Skylark song which filled the air above the camp and surrounding grass downland. We could've sat here all day, it was a perfect English rural scene; though we weren't finished, and it was back down to Broad Chalke and a welcome dip in and drink from the Ebble for Geoff, then the long climb back up to the Ridgeway and journey's end. All achieved before midday; nice. 

Cranborne

This morning Cranborne Chase looked like this. It's such a beautiful tract of land, a landscape I find always welcomes and rewards you. There's so much to see, so much diversity of environment and flora and fauna too, and there are so many tracks, droves and paths, as well as the walk-able back lanes, that you can create infinite routes, mixing up the woodland grassland ratio as you like it. This morning we set out again from Vitrell Gate making our way along the Ackling Dyke Roman Road, leaving it to descend through Church Bottom towards Broad Chalke to cross the Ebble Valley and it's titular river, through the village we rose up across Gurston Down, where we saw a drove of maybe 2 dozen Hares... I'd never seen that before...blew my mind, then onto the high ridge where we joined the Old Shaftesbury Drove, following it's course awhile until we arrived at Chiselbury Camp hillfort. Chiselbury's position high on the ridge way affords some spectacular views along the Nadder and Ebble Valleys. Chiselbury's a very subtle univallate earthwork, causing me to wonder about it's practical application as a 'fort' and deciding the term 'camp' was far more apt, in reality that's probably true for many of the univallate 'hillfort' sites.  Across the entire site, bank, ditch, interior and exterior thousands of delicate Cowslips (Primula veris) are popping up, soon they'll carpet these chalk grasslands, and that is a sight to see. After taking the views, a couple of pocket eggs and a drink we retraced our steps. Along the Old Shaftesbury Drove, down across Gurston Down into Broad Chalke, where we stopped by the River Ebble so Geoff could cool...being a chalk stream even in summer the water is chilly, before finally ascending via Church Bottom back up towards to the Ackling Dyke, along which we returned to Vitrell Gate. Outstanding, a 12.3 mile walk of absolute bliss, and another walking meditation.