The traditional Cotswold limestone grassland

I drove around locally across country this morning to stock up at the farm shop and then at a supermarket. In between I tried to grab some original pictures as I am driving away from home for a few days later this afternoon. Somerset and Dorset beckon, but I won't have online access, so I will have to back blip if at all.

I turned off the old Cirencester turnpike road to go into the centre of Minchinhampton. As I did so, I saw this section of the wood pasture and flowering meadows beneath the trees on Minchinhampton Common. It spreads for several miles westwards from here, and is enclosed at various places by the extensive bulwarks and ditches, some of which date from the Iron Age, whilst others are of the later Roman period.

The cows I mentioned earlier in the month are now wandering and grazing freely all over the common. you can see how they, as well as the deer that must be abundant round here, trim the lower branches of the trees. The flowers in the meadows are renowned and this year have been particularly noticeable and because of the dry conditions they have all flowered very early. I worry that the the cows will run out of grass very early this year too, which might lead to destruction of this traditional natural limestone grassland. Perhaps todays high winds and sharp showers are signs of things to come.

Tomorrow I may reach Lyme Regis for a few hours before going on to stay with Patrick H.