Hidden Honeysuckle

A lovely surprise awaited me on the allotment this weekend –  beautiful honeysuckle growing in the hedge. This is actually growing at the bottom of our garden which backs on to our allotment. It has entwined itself up the hedge and trees but is only really visible from the plot. I love the bright colour of the flowers and its heady fragrance.

Honeysuckle has long been associated with superstition. In Victorian times it was grown around doors and gates to ward off witches and evil spirits. I hope we don’t have any of those on the allotment site. It was also supposed to induce pleasant dreams and lift your spirits which is why it must be used today in herbal and aromatherapy pillows. 

Whatever folklore has to say about it, I just love to have it in the garden.

Meanders in May

One of the joys of being a dog owner is that you have the excuse of going out in the fresh air for a walk.

Of course Oscar and Rosie are always ready – whatever the weather!

Even though we live in a town, we are very lucky to have access to some beautiful countryside and one of our regular dog walking routes is across The Common. Daily walks give you the opportunity to watch as each season unfolds and I decided I would like to keep a visual record of the changes throughout the year. Luckily we had some dry, sunny mornings at the weekend and so I was able to take some shots as Oscar and Rosie enjoyed their early (well, earlyish) morning walk. The ground has dried out over the last few weeks and it has been great to abandon my wellies and wear my walking boots instead; but I’m still having to wear gloves and even a hat!

The dandelions on The Common are gradually disappearing, leaving behind their feathery clocks, in their place are buttercups and clover.

Of course, lots of cow parsley.

Some of the horse chestnuts were affected by a disease last year, which was introduced into the UK by European horse chestnuts, causing brown patches on the leaves and an early drop. Thankfully they have survived! This horse chestnut tree is such a fantastic shape and stands proudly on its own.

And the flowers look pretty impressive too! 

Being May, there’s an abundance of blossom on the hawthorns.

There’s even space on The Common for a Sunday morning game of football.

It wouldn’t be a proper walk if Oscar didn’t find a stick – the bigger the better! He loves to play fetch; he’s never been trained but obviously it’s that retriever instinct. Rosie, however, loves finding abandoned tennis balls and destroying them! We won’t dwell on what natural instinct that represents!

Well that’s it! A little roundup to show you what I’m enjoying on our daily walk. ( I might not have said that on Monday when there was a terrific hailstorm but luckily The Husband was chief dog walker on that occasion).

I know that each month there will be something new to look at and I look forward to sharing them with you as the year goes by. Will keep you posted!

Blooming Bluebells

Last week I was fortunate to have a couple of days off work so, with some spare time on my hands, I decided to take the dogs on a longer than usual walk and we headed off to our nearby woodland. This is a planned forest which is going to be the largest new forest of native species in England. It is popular with local walkers and horse riders as well as a great place to walk the dogs with plenty of space for them to run free.

I was in for a real treat. As I approached the first wood, I caught a glimpse of a blue haze through the tree trunks and realised that it was,of course, bluebell season! What a spectacle! 

Here in the UK, bluebells are a protected species, so no picking is allowed. They are often found in ancient woodland and flower at this time of year before the trees develop a dense canopy.

The violet-blue carpet along the woodland floor is such a magnificent sight – almost magical.

Even Oscar was overcome with the beauty of the bluebells!

A good long walk and Oscar is ready for a home. A drink to quench his thirst and then a well deserved rest!