Primroses

Back in Fife for our Friday Funday, this time for a walk in Blairadam Woods, near Kelty.

There are three routes to follow, varying in distance of a ½ mile, 1¾ miles and 2½ miles, all on good well-made tracks but with sections of steep slopes and the possibility of mud. We chose the middle route, which took us through spruce woodland, which had evidence of storm damage. Logs cut from many fallen trees estimate their age between thirty and fifty years.

Our path followed the Kelty Burn, mostly running clean and clear but, Interesting to note, the various wee burns joining it had stained the rock deep red-brown and in one case, pure ochre. Apparently these were caused by runoff from deposits from the mines. All along the way we met many dog-walkers (again, we were naked without a dog), who greeted us with a Good Morning; less pleasant were the many 'leftovers', some still bagged, most not and found anywhere from verge to path, that some owners failed to pick up. Perhaps they reason that the horse-rider never picks up so why should they, I would argue that theirs is entirely fibrous and much easier to avoid.

None of which spoiled the walk, which was pleasant enough despite the cold wind necessitating woolly hat and gloves, but we did not see any red squirrels nor heard much birdlife except chiff-chaff, wren and  robin (it was during their siesta-time, after all).

Main photo comes from the car parking area, with several clumps of primrose in bloom and more to develop, though many petals had been chewed to some extent. However, they are much in evidence growing beside the motorways at present. Look carefully at the inset photo and you will see that these blooms are different from the main photo, which are 'thrum-eyed', the inset are 'pin-eyed'.

I have added an extra of my Dancing Queen amaryllis, at its peak just now and may be fading by the next Flower Friday, so this week is extra floral. Thanks to BikerBear for hosting.