Most paths were unfenced and led deep into the woodland. Where a path needed to be fenced in order to guide the way, it was constructed of wooden posts interwoven with flexible branches, which I imagine were all sourced from the woodland. Although it was a very natural looking woodland, it was obviously well cared for.
There was a variety of trees; silver birch, beech, sweet chestnut, wonderful old oaks and many different conifers. High in the branches of one tree we spotted a squirrels drey. Rhododendron Ponticum was evident, some bushes in flower others not. I have the feeling it is being cleared from the woodland, it is a very invasive plant and will soon take over, to the detriment of our own English wild flowers. Losing our native flora has a knock on effect and means the loss will soon extend to insects which are a vital part of our ecology.
It was cooler in the shade of the trees, the sunlight filtered prettily through the branches and the walk through the woodland was very pleasant, the paths were good and on either side the floor was littered with last autumn's dried leaves, various fir cones and empty dried out, still prickly, brown husks of sweet chestnut. While there we spotted different mosses growing and in one place a beautiful group of more than thirty fungi, tiny tall caps on thin stalks - enchanting. Here and there tiny three and five leaved brambles were poking through the leaf litter, and scattered about were gnarled and twisted tree roots and stumps, adding to the charm of the place.
The further we walked the more enchanting the woodland became, the air was filled with the sweet sound of many different song birds, woodpeckers, magpies, crows and a butterfly were seen. Far spread foxglove plants were growing, not yet in bloom, but already large leaved and tall budded flower spikes on show, with a promise of delights to come.Across the woodland we could see a blue, misty haze of bluebells and later as we walked nearer to them, they appeared to form a sea around us, they were a deeper blue than their distant misty haze showed, their heads were nodding and in the heat of the day the perfume which only comes from an English bluebell could be smelt and enjoyed.
Looking across the woodland and beyond, the view was breathtakingly beautiful, there were wide ranging vistas of far distant fields, bounded by trees and hedges, many were covered in white blossom which was very eye catching being surrounded by all the varying shades of green. Glancing back at the woodland and its bluebells and then out at the far reaching views, I wondered if this spot wasn't one of the most beautiful in England.
As you will have read I visited a bluebell wood today, in the middle of the rich English countryside. It was a calm and peaceful place, sunlight filtered through the trees, birds sang and the whole afternoon was a tribute to a very special lady.
All who knew her would agree, her smile was like the sun coming out, it brightened one's day, she was always cheerful, always positive and always there for anyone who needed her, and like so very many others I will miss her physical presence but the essence of her will live on in my heart.
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