If you go down to the woods today.....

We took the car a few miles up onto the Downs to Hucking Woods, a Woodland Trust site, which we often visit, especially in the spring for the bluebells. With lockdown this year we were not able to make the trip. We did find many other wonderful groves of bluebells on our local walks.

We walked around the woods and out onto tracks at the top of the Downs following some ancient tracks including Drake Lane, a sunken lane which is now a byway. Initially, we liked the lane wondering who had trod the route in times gone by, until we came across evidence of antisocial use with scrambling tracks in adjacent private woodlands and, as you can see, remnants of car dumping and other bits off cars as well as cans and other rubbish.

It quite turned the atmosphere of the place less welcoming and a little edgy. We did see a scrambler on the route who was very polite and passed with a wave and a smile. (and a heady waft of 2 stroke fumes which lingered in our noses for a few minutes) I recognised they have a right to be on byways; it seems that it’s hard to escape from the intrusion of the internal combustion engine anywhere.

We should have taken our lunch with us as it was well past 2.00pm when we got back home. I went to the allotment to feed, water and pick. The plot is in dire need of tidying and weeds are rampant. We are considering “no dig” next year based on the experience of Charles Dowding. He seems confident that his methods will deal with even pernicious weeds such as the marestail we have.

I’ve had some wonderful comments and lots of hearts and favourites on recent blips. Thank you, they are all very much appreciated and valued.
Unpleasant as it is, it surely qualifies for Derelict Sunday. Thank you for hosting Marlieske.