Had a great walk yesterday over Coppet Hill down to Coldwell Rocks then back downstream along the Wye to Goodrich. It was damp but this didn't spoil our enjoyment - we were 5 friends - of the woods although the views from the trig point weren't as far as they can be.
It's a very beautiful walk through the woods, quite magical; bulbs and the firstspring baby nettles showing at the edges of the path so we were careful where we put our feet and the first shepherds crooks of ferns in sheltered spots. There were a lot of badger tracks and some bits of fur - rolling and playing youngsters probably and judging by the size of the tracks. a whole herd of deer from this years fawns to a couple fo stags were ahead of usd on the path but there were no glimpses of them, just the tracks. there were squirrel tracks too and, unfortunately, signs of bark-stripping ... squirrel pate is very tasty! Lots of songbirds too - does anyone know which bird it is that calls with a repetivie "Wheat! wheat!" ? I'm still at the learning stage with bird calls so grateful for any help. The bird was within the woodland.
No ravens today - it was drizzly damp - nor the peregrines; dare say they all had their heads down. But at the end of the walk we were treated to a courting display of a pair of buzzards. they flew and tumbled above us, at first we weren't sure if they were fighting though I thought not, then the male passed food to her and she took it - spectacular! The sun was shining well by this time so I expect they felt better about it too
And my new Rohan gear worked a treat too ... extra treat!
I was out in my new Rohan bags and Hilltop jacket in some really foul rain and hail - they worked a treat. My lower legs were saturated in seconds but half a mile after the rain stopped (it did, fortunately!) they were bone dry again; I call that pretty good. the Hilltop jacket was very good, the hood works for me, no rain down the neck and I could see out without staring at my feet all the time; my bum stayed dry and the water just ran straight off ... and not down my boots either! I think I might have become a Rohan convert ... at lea\st to bags and the jacket
Parky, agree about the christian ... I'm not so perhaps that's why I'm ok . Dad used to take me out on the moor, when I was a wee sprog, just to meet them ... that was Exmoor but the Silurian Trolls seem to appreciate a slice of toast and a drop of cider too, like wassailing .Perhaps I should watch Trollhunter ...
Elen Sentier
