Backley Bottom

 

Backley Bottom

Autumnal heathland

The wheel turns and it's that time of year again when the forest's heathland begin adopting their autumnal hues. I love all the forest's seasons, why wouldn't you, though of the four it's got to be autumn with it's vibrant radiant colours that really stirs the soul; the greens endure though slowly fading through myriad tones; the bracken steadily browns through yellows and oranges as it bows out; and throughout the heath clumps of imperial purple heather add majesty to this picturesque landscape. This is just the beginning of the march to fall.

Black Water reborn?

Geoff and I were walking North Oakley ways this morning and happened across Blackensford Brook, one of two head waters which feed Black Water, and it was flowing, or at least giving that impression if you screwed up your eyes. Oh I thought, Black Water has been reborn...barely; then I thought, has it though? Or has Blackensford Brook been flowing weakly like this throughout, and the water's disappearing below the gravel long before it becomes Black Water; this point being just beyond Stinking Edge Wood, is only a matter of a couple of hundred meters from the dual sources of the stream in Backley and Blackenford bottoms, two hollows where water has been present throughout. Considering that I came to the conclusion that we'll probably need a lot more rain before we see Black Water flowing again.