Ebbor Gorge

The magical world of Ebbor Gorge is tucked away in the Mendips, cut into the hills above Wookey Hole. From the car park  you make your way along a rugged path which disappears down the steep wooded gorge side and into a different world; outside the Mendip Hills are mostly bare exposed rough grassland, but down here in the gorge you find yourself deep in a wooded embrace. The woodland floor's a mosaic of colour created by a carpet of Spring plants: bluebells bow their heads as you pass, spikes of orchids stand tall and proud, ferns unroll their heads like waking hydras and ramsons shine like white stars amongst the depths of green lushness; wood anemone, celandines, violets, primroses and many more are all represented. It's easy to become distracted; care should be taken though whilst walking, the path down is very steep, steppy and can be slippery when wet. High above you, rock faces protrude from the gorge sides and out beyond the canopy; in places the paths too are flanked by similar near sheer rock faces or steep scree slopes; the path begins to wind upwards, rising up a long course of rocky steps as the sides of the gorge narrow to thin slot. Then you reach the lip of the gorge and you're out, from here it's only a short walk up and out of the woodland into the open grassland above. Arriving on the hilltop you're greeted with spectacular views out over the Somerset Levels and beyond to the Bristol Channel; from here you can see Avalon, its hill rising proud and majestic from the wetlands; capped by its iconic tower it's a magical sight. You now find yourself above the canopy, looking down into, and over, the densely wooded gorge; from up here the wooded sides create a mesmerizing patchwork of greens, a view which you can lose yourself in before you descend back into the colourful gorge again.

I must spend more time exploring Ebbor, my walk took in but a small part of it and I know there's more to discover.

Stoney Littleton

The first time I visited Stoney Littleton Neolithic long barrow it was in a poor state, the roof had partially collapsed and access was reduced to only a couple of meters; the second time I visited the entrance was completely blocked off. That was over 15 years ago; today the long barrow has been restored and you can access the whole structure, a long central passage with 6 paired side chambers and one terminal chamber. What a great site. Built around 3500BC in the Neolithic period, the construction of the passage and chambers is drystone corbeling on large base stones, the passage and chambers are all under a meter wide, with low ceilings; these features are built into a 30m long trapezoidal earthen long mound of medium height, itself faced with drystone walling; the entrance is of large stone blocks, one containing a fossil ammonite, set in a drystone facade. An interesting note is that the entrance is aligned so that at the midwinter sunrise, the Sun will shine down the central passage.  In the terminal chamber were the remains of recent activity: candles, flowers, photos and messages marked the passing of a loved one; there may been ashes too, I didn't pry or enter the chamber. You read a lot of complaints about rubbish being left at or in archaeological sites, and a lot of them are well justified; this though I felt was different, it wasn't beer cans or food wrappers; these were the remains of a deposition or ritual for a dead loved one and to my mind totally in keeping with the primary purpose for which the monument had been constructed. As an archaeologist, and as long as undertaken with respect and no damage is done, I fully endorse actions like these; as a pagan, assuming the same caveats as before, I fully endorse actions like these; and more than that, I believe that our ancestors who constructed these sites would endorse such continued use. The details of the practice/ritual may differ, as they do when we celebrate our seasonal observances at other prehistoric/historic site; for me that's not what's important, more important is the continuity of use of these sites, our motivations and the ways which we use them, which, in essence, I believe enjoy more similarities than differences with our ancestors and which I'm certain they would recognize and sympathetically endorse. 

If you're in the area, and you can find it, it's well worth a visit.

Stanton Drew

I've not visited Stanton Drew stone circle complex in over 20 years; it was nice to explore them again. I was hoping to see the Mendip Morris performing, although I arrived just as they were leaving; another time maybe. The Stanton Drew complex consists of 3 stone circles and a group of 3 stones known as the Cove; built during Late Neolithic 3000 to 2500BC, or possibly into the early Bronze Age 2500 to 2000BC, the main circle is second in size in the country only to Avebury and recent research suggests that originally it would have been surrounded by a large bank and ditch, with the central area filled with concentric circles of pits which possibly would have contained large timber uprights; such a construction would have required a substantial amount of manpower to complete, these features have subsequently been removed. The best preserved stone circle of the complex is the Northern one, which like the main circle, has the remains of a stone avenue attached, although all the circles are virtually complete.  The Cove bears a striking similarity, although smaller and situated beyond the circle complex, to the stone setting of the same name in Avebury's Northern inner circle; is there a connection? What is known is that the Cove site here predates the circle complex by a 1000 years and was the site of a Neolithic long barrow; the current stone setting being a later addition or possibly a remodeling of the original barrow. Set in the beautiful Chew Valley and flanked by the River Chew, this site is well worth a visit and I was pleased I did.

Glastonbury Beltaine celerbrations

It's my 25th year of celebrating Beltaine at Glstonbury: and so, early this morning I journeyed up to Somerset in order to climb Glastonbury Tor before dawn and welcome in the Summer. There were about a 100 or so of us hardy folk up on the Tor; braving the icy wind which frequently accompanies this occasion we stood and waited. Usually, Rollo the Arch-Druid is on hand to lead the Beltaine ceremony, though unfortunately he was absent this morning; Rollo's presence was missed, as his ceremonial style is warm and always raises a smile. Still, a horn was blown, a cheer was raised as the Sun rose above the horizon and summer was welcomed in. It would have been nice to have participated in a ceremony, I always like feeling that connection with others walking a similar path; though I think just being here, making the effort, is ritual in itself and I'm sure everybody made their own connection to the moment and in that way we were all joined in ceremony. Although Rollo was missing, as usual the Cam Valley Morris were on hand to dance in the Beltaine Sun; they've been in attendance for over 30 years, only missing the year of the foot and mouth outbreak. It heartening to see our old country folk traditions enduring, though I wonder if young blood is still drawn to participate.

Later in the day, down in Glastonburys town square, a crowd of 200 to 300 people have gathered for a take on the traditional ceremony to welcome in the May Queen and Oak King; accompanied by Green men, the Holly King and other characters, the story of the changing seasons was played out with laughter, cheering and all round festivity. Afterwards the assembled crowd, led by the May Queen and Oak King, with Green men carrying the traditional May pole, make their way up the high street and along to the White Spring at the base of Glastonbury Tor. Drums banged and penny whistles blew as our merry band proceeded. As I walked amongst the crowd I found myself looking at my fellow revelers: there were the genuine pagans types, the Witches and Druids; there were the cos-play hay nonny nay types dressed in their colourful finery; the foreign visitors happy to participate in the spectacle; the locals for whom this is the norm; the hedonists who'd be at any party and a whole load of other characters, there for their own reasons, and some just caught up in the moment and swept along by the crowd; a real mixed bunch of folk, all different, though all enjoying and taking part together. It can be done, people can all get on. What's more, I saw no Police, no road closure signs or anything; cars and buses merely stopped and let the crowds pass by, and I wondered, why can't this happen everywhere? Why does there have to be so much red tape, so many hurdles to jump over from the establishment when similar things are tried elsewhere? On reaching the springs the crowd rested before carrying on to a nearby field to erect the maypole, dance and celebrate the remains of the day away; it was here I took my leave. 

A mix day of traditional old country folk celebrations, with modern twists, we need to see more of this type of thing going on; it unites people, builds a sense of community, keeps traditions alive and developing as well as reconnecting us with the seasons and nature; all things sadly lacking from modernity and causes of our current social dysfunction and spiritual malaise.

Beltaine Blessing

Watched by about a 100 people, the Sun rose on a cold and windy Glastonbury Tor, no change there then; looking like the distant glow Mordor, the Sun illuminated the sky long before he rose. Beltaine blessings y'all, may spring see your plans and dreams blossom.

The Levellers - A curious life

Like many, the Levellers first came to my attention in the early 1990's, I think I'd heard some of the songs off their first album 'A weapon called the word', although 'Levelling the land' was the first album that I got hold of. The music, the sound, the words and what they had to say really resonated with me, and I've loved their music ever since. Bands come and go, though some stay with you to become part of your lifes soundtrack, so it is with the Levellers. I've seen them countless times over the years; in electric form, acoustic form and cut down form as Drunk in public and I've never been disappointed, and have never heard an album which I didn't like, nor one that has diverged from from what I thought were their beliefs and core values.  In short, I've always believed, and defended to those who've been critical of the Levellers, my position that the Levellers are the genuine article and have never sold out.

After watching A Curious Life, the story of the Levellers, I know my beliefs were justified and were again affirmed. Narrated mainly by Jeremy, the Levellers bass player and resident artist, the film journeys through the life of the band; from their humble beginnings in Brighton band scene, through their free festival and uni circuit period to stadium band status and on to their current position of festival organizing music legends. Too gushy fan boy? I think not, the Levellers deserve any praise they receive. Through years when bands articulating opposition to the shit that's going down have never been more needed, yet have been so thin on the ground, the Leveller have consistently remained a beacon and an inspiration; they continue the tradition of music which has something to say, protest music if you will  Rare in todays homogenized and bland music world. Every Levellers song has meaning; all delivered in their unique folk/punk/rock/protest? style.  The film looks at their ups and downs; their uncomfortable relationship with the music press who gave them such a hard time, their rise to legend status, and all in their own words (not that they'd say they were legends, they're far to humble for that); it's honest and genuine, some pieces had me laughing out loud; it's a film which leaves you feeling this is a band which is comfortable in it's own skin. This is a proper band.

If you're a Leveller fan, watch this film, you'll love; if you're not a Leveller fan, watch this film and see what you're missing; and the extras, man, the extras...generous to a fault; in short.....watch this film.

Colours of spring

First Orchids of the year

A Brown Shield Bug (Coreus marginatus) stands guard over a early-purple orchid (Orchis mascula); the first Orchid I've seen this year, nice.

Adrift

A skeletal tree, adrift in a sea of yellow.

Leaf before the flower

The Hawthorns are starting to bud; unlike the Blackthorn which produces flowers before it produces leaves, the Hawthorn shows its leaves first. An easy way to distinguish the two similar, in form and habitat, thorny shrubs. With Beltain and May just around the corner, these buds are forming with perfect timing; well they would, wouldn't they, after all Hawthorn is the May blossom, flower of the May queen. 

Three cornered leek

If you smell garlic in the woods around now it's more than likely to be Ramsons (Allium ursinum), though it could be another member of the Allium family, the Three cornered leek (Allium triquetrum) who also favour similar habitats, although they can also be found on road sides and in meadows. Like Ramsons, all parts of the Three cornered leek are edible, either fresh of cooked: the bulbs, stems, flowers and leaves. You wont mistake the Three cornered leek for the Ramson; the flowers are very different, as are the leaves; one notable identifying feature of the Three cornered leek is, as its name suggests, that its stem is concavely triangular in cross-section. It'll be found growing in lush dense clumps, often in my experience, more leaf than flower; they are a native of the Mediterranean and can become invasive, so you'll often find that in populated areas they've sprung up on commons or waste ground where some gardener has dumped them. As always, be sure you're 100% certain of what picking when foraging.

Roach?

I'm not up on fish so much, and so am sure what this fish is, although I think it could be a young Roach (Rutilus rutilus). Whatever type of fish it's very adept at camouflage, becoming almost invisible amongst the gravel and shadows of Linford Brook; it's only because the moved as we approached that I saw them, if they hadn't I'd have passed by unawares. There were several of the same species milling about, all of what I thought were a good size for such a small and shallow brook; nearby were some much smaller fry, numbering maybe about 20/30 or so. I'm happy, though quite worried to see fish of this size in our forest streams: firstly, happy that our streams are well enough to support them; though, worried as these streams dry out quickly, how do they survive? It's only April now, and the brook is already exposed gravel in many sections; by the time summer's here proper, the only water that remains is held in dark skanky looking pools.

Plato, Socrates' Defence

Socrates' Defence by Plato; what a great read. Plato's book is but a tiny window onto the life of one of the classical periods most notable philosophers, though through Socrates' defence I got the impression he was a rebel thinker, at odds with the establishment of Athenian society, who asked more questions than he gave answers, he believe we should care more about our morals and soul than the acquisition of trinkets and such like; in that respect I saw reflections of Eastern philosophy. His defence against, what was a death penalty, seemed a moral and honourable defence that appeared bound to fail when accused by those who clearly weren't; he gently poked at his accusers, the jury and Athenian society, in a way that, to my mind, could only wind them up: funny guy. He was defiant, yet humble to the end, as you'd imagine it didn't end well for him. The last section of the book, where Socrates talks of death is thoughtful and thought provoking. I came away thinking, I must read more of Socrates. 

A good sign

I was pleased to spy these today, it's the early signs of Burnt Orchids or Burnt Tip Orchids (Neotinea ustulata); common in central and southern Europe, it's a rarer find here in the Northern climes and seen as an endangered species here in Britain; only being found in a few sites in Southern England, notably on the chalklands of Wiltshire. These specimens should come into flower sometime through May and June, and when they do they're a beautiful sight to behold.

Tree guy

Caught this guy hiding amongst the trees today; graffiti never ceases to make me smile; what on Earth is this supposed to signify?

End of the road

Looks like, some time ago by the style of the remaining identifiable pieces, that this vehicle reached the end of the road, and ever since it's components have been slowly returning to the earth from which they were once mined; do you think this is the circle of life Elton sung about?

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

It's been said, if a man is not a socialist by the time he is 20, he has no heart, and if he is not a conservative by the time he is 40, he has no brain; obviously, that's utter bollocks, although too often it would appear the older folk get the more right wing they become. I first read Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, many years ago as a teen with a growing political appetite with left of center sensibilities; and so was interested to revisit it now as a jaded adult, who if the saying was true should have moved to the right, though in reality hasn't moved a at all. I still look left, still agree with their basic premises, which I believe still hold true; that equality of opportunity, a genuine stake in society and opportunity to shape said society are our fundamental rights. Now though I see some failings in how Marx and Engels thought this would or could be achieved, as well as maybe a touch of naivety. Particularly in their assertion that the necessity for the bourgeoisie to educate their workforces would lead to the downfall of the bourgeoisie and the road to salvation for working people; agreed, education can liberate people, but why hadn't they considered that education would be used as a tool by the bourgeoisie to maintain their control, as it continues too; surely they must have foreseen that the bourgeoisie would not relinquish control so easily? Of course, I'm being unfair, they couldn't foresee the future and it's too easy for me to criticize them with my benefit of hindsight; at least they proposed a better world. Though communism didn't bring about liberation, equality and opportunity for the working masses, how could it; Marx and Engels had already remarked how revolutions only became effective when a section of the bourgeoisie had broken away to become part of said revolution; inevitably ensuring the perpetuation of the old system, merely in another form. I'm sure both Marx and Engels would be pissed to see the regimes who've called themselves 'Communists', it's clearly not what they had in mind. Still a good read and certainly food for thought.

Dorset Wall Lizard

I saw a few of these fellas scurrying about the rocks, and in and out amongst the stubby grass of Winspit Quarry today; I was unsure as to what they were, they weren't Common or Viviparous Lizards (Lacerta vivipara / Zootoca vivipara) nor were they Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis), so I took some photos and sent one off to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust. They turn out to be non native, Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis), these ones commonly referred to now as Dorset Wall Lizards, having at least one breeding colony in the area; it happens that they can be frequently, though sometimes not so frequently, spotted around the Purbeck coastal quarries.Another effect of climate change, maybe?

Wrack and ruin

We've passed this way regularly for over thirty years on countless walks along the coast and never until today had I noticed this building tucked away into the hillside. How could that be? It is set back from the track, nestled amongst a small stand of trees and shrubs; but still.  As I looked about in wonder taking in the sights and sounds of the day I thought I saw something and so took a few steps back, yeah, it looked like a chimney top or something, no I thought; but, being an inquisitive type I scrambled up through the undergrowth and to my surprise found a building going to wrack and ruin. It's a strange building with a striking facade, built, in part, right into the hillside, with one of the rear rooms having nature rock for walls; it appears to have been constructed ad-hoc, made out of a wide mixture of materials: concrete, dressed stone, brick, wood, all with a corrugated iron and wooden roof, which in part has collapsed, although most of the building remains water tight. A strange place for sure. Out buildings are cobbled on, built into and extending up the hillside too, on terraces; there's the remains of a planned garden, now hard to distinguish and well overgrown. It must have been a lovely spot at one time, a holiday home or something maybe. As I say, I've not noticed it in over 30 years, and surely would have if it had been occupied during that time; nor did I remember seeing it on the map, I checked on my return and no, it's not shown on the map. Another mystery.

St Aldhelms Head and Winspit

The sun shone hot today, like it was summer, and the air was warm and thin, even on the coast no refreshing breeze was to be had; the cool sea looked so inviting as it rolled gently over the rocky shore, that if I'd brought a towel, which I'd considered though then thought, no, I'd have braved a dip. But, it's not summer is it, and that nagging thought wouldn't leave my mind; no matter how wonderful, or welcomed, days like these are, they're not right and there'll no doubt be consequences, that I know. Our climate is changing, no one can't, with any honesty, deny that; though many still do either through willful ignorance or greed. You certainly couldn't deny our part in it standing here on St Aldhelms Head with a thick band of ugly coloured filth hanging in the air a few miles of shore and extending as far as you could see in both directions along the coast; that's pollution for sure, that is, our pollution.

Like many others I do what I can to limit my 'carbon footprint' as we call it; well, as with most of us, not what a 'could', more what I'm prepared to whilst still maintaining as comfortable a lifestyle as my conscience allows. For instance, I could not have driven here today; I cycle and walk when I can, but still without a car I couldn't get to places like this and I really don't know how I'd manage that. Like the green prozac of the woodland, these environments keep me sane(ish) in our increasingly psychologically damaging and spiritually oppressive world. It's easy to justify our actions, look, I just did; we make fine and sound arguments as to why we do what we do and that's why the climate's fucked in the first place and why technological solutions to our problems look so appealing to many; we all want to save the world, as long as that also maintains our status quo; we can sacrifice a few islands, some low lying landscapes, so some places get a touch arid or some icebergs melt, that's not too much to loose to keep the lights on, surely? Particularly if all those things happen 'over there'. Of course, I'm being silly and that's not how I think, not at all; and climate change, although people would like to think so, doesn't just happen 'over there', it happens all over, including here; and where ever it happens we're all culpable. I, like so many, try to negate, as much as I can, my complicity in our climates degradation; I drive as little as I can, meaningless?; I recycle, worthless?; I turn things off when not using them, delusional?; I try not to consume too much, pointless?; the problems are systemic and therefore as laudable as all our individual efforts are, the solutions have to be systemic if any chances of realistic change are to be achieved. Don't get me wrong, I'll still try to limit my impact, though in the honest knowledge that I'm only really easing my conscience and of course doing what's right, rather than actually easing the planets burden to any real extent.

Still, it was a lovely day at the coast.

Golden time #2

Golden time at Mudeford Quay.

Ukipper

It's a simplistic and over used comparison, I know, though their (far) right-wing, nationalistic and xenophobic rhetoric ensures the comparisons validity.  Even if you took all that with a pinch of salt, maybe it's the media misrepresenting them; the words straight from their mouths can't be misunderstood and suggest that there is indeed something fishy about Ukip. I'm sure, or rather I really hope, that like the graffiti artist responsible for these alterations, the majority of folk in Britain can see through their narrow minded little Britain of an imaginary period narrative (a mix of the Darling Buds of May, imperial colonialism and Dads army) and down the real path which Ukip policies would lead us. Or, maybe they can't; after all, xenophobia is very popular at the moment, it's this seasons black.

Blooming Thorns

 

Blackthorn (prunus spinosa) is coming into blossom all over the place, and whether an individual shrub or forming a cluster or length of hedgerow, they brighten the land and provide much needed food for insects after the winter months and a period of scarcity.

Sprung

Butterflies and blooms; spring has definitely sprung.

Willow Catkins

Willow (Salix) Catkins.

First Cowslip

I saw my first Cowslip (Primula veris) today.

Crazy Daisy

Crazy daisy, man! You see such cool things if look. I've never seen a Daisy (Bellis perennis) like this before, its elongated nature really made it stick out. It's over an inch long and grows from a similarly elongated stem, a strange and unusual looking thing indeed. I had the idea of collecting the seeds from this unique flower and growing them on in the hope of creating a new flower; I have a lot of ideas, although all too often my imagination and intentions are let down; the road pathed with my good intentions is a long and winding one; and if procrastinating made money, I'd be a wealthy man.

Art for art sake.

Tout Quarry park: a disused quarry, active since 1750; used by the military in World War 2 as the site for a Coastal Defence/Chain Home Low radar station; in the 1950's the military used it as a ROTOR (air defence radar system) site; the ROTOR site was abandoned and demolished in the early 1960's; and then sometime later, in 1983, it became a sculpture park, which has developed over time. As you can imagine the quarry is packed with things of interest, industrial archaeological remains, military archaeological remains and a shed load of cool art. I came across Tout Quarry late in my walk and so couldn't really investigate the place as we'd have liked; I saw about a dozen of the 50 or so pieces of art, all of which served their purpose of stimulating the imagination. Though to do the place justice I need to really take some time to look about, and maybe look to document all the pieces.