Pyramidal orchid

I'm pretty certain I have my identification correct.  This example wasn't convincingly pyramidal.   But there were good numbers around, we were on chalk grassland, and they were a lovely intense pink.

There were lots of butterflies as well.  But as on Saturday, they were highly active.  The only one I managed to photograph was very green, and I wondered if it was a green hairstreak, but closer examination of the photos identified it as a brimstone.  I did chase a blue one for a while, but he never settled for long enough to get a photo.

We parked at the National Trust car park at Lardon Chase (when we eventually found it - not signposted at all!).  First we walked out onto the chalk grassland, where we found the orchids, along with many other wild flowers.

But it was VERY hot, so we retreated to the car, topped up on water, then crossed the road to walk in the woodlands called The Holies.  I haven't found any information to explain the origin of this name.  However, it was a lovely woodland walk.  And it was during this walk that I realised what bird was making the very distinctive whistling sounds we had been hearing on and off since arriving in Blewbury - the abundant red kites!  We get occasional sightings of red kites above our garden, but we had not experienced the very loud conversations that they hold with other kites until walking around Blewbury yesterday.

We came back to Blewbury mid afternoon, and decided to head to one of the local pubs for our evening meal.  A little disappointing - they were only doing pizzas, and having had pizza last night, we would have preferred something different.  Still, it was a tasty pizza.

We need to try to make a plan for tomorrow now.