What a fun day, or rather, what a fungi day!!
A large Fly Agaric, minus it's spots.Yellow stagshorn, I think.
King Alfred's cakes, up a tree.
Fox moth caterpillar, nicknamed "devils gold rings" they curl up under some moss or undergrowth for the winter.
A dung or minotaur beetle.
And FIVE newly restored SAFES, made in Birmingham!!!!
So, down Shapley hill with a quick inspection of the early cast iron GPO posts showing the depth of telegraph cables in the ground. Interestingly it shows how the level of the road has changed.
Round the corner by the half hidden Leapra cross and across fields following the Two Moors Way to Lower West Combe farm, a fabulous 16th century long house, the land that time forgot. Looks like it's empty now apart from several safes and metal boxes belonging to long gone former residents. I wish we could get just a glimpse of the past there.
On over the brook and awkward stile, several fields, woodland and onto our coffee stop. I love the ancient trees here at Lower Hookney. The troubles of the world seem so far away.!
Through the arboretum at Heathercombe, fairy toadstool 🍄 found, up the steep hill and onto the moors.
Can we find the track this time?
We did ! wasn't where it was supposed to be. Time was going on now so a bit of short cutting was in order. Over to the corner of one of the best walls on the moors and follow the track for miles (it seemed like it).
The always popular Highland coos and their calves tried to bar our way but we would have none of it , the Warren House was waiting for us.
Baguettes, jackets, chips, and of course the famous rabbit pie.
Freshly caught in the warren opposite of course !!
Another lovely walk on a lovely day X.
Brenda