HOUND TOR
You know I like flowers, it’s orchid time!
Mizzle, drizzle, mist as we drove across the Moor. Not looking good for my first walk in months. Out of the cars, much discussion about over trousers, decided not so off up to Hound. Then two minutes later all hell broke loose, sideways cold, cold rain gusting wind. Most stopped to review the over trouser situation. Brief shelter behind an inadequate hawthorn then up to find a nice cleft in the multi topped Tor. Then it stopped!
Down and around to find the gate onto Holwell Lawn. I promised nice smooth paths but this one got narrower and steeper down to the lovely granite gatepost bridge over Becka Brook. Too early for coffee so up, up, up to Holwell Tor to find a sheltered spot. The mist was lifting so we had views too, then we could see one of those nice smooth paths I promised to lead us round and down below Emsworthy Rocks to a gate into the Nature reserve. No owls in the barn just a frog in the pile of discarded twigs but a young Redstart was heard. Emsworthy again didn’t disappoint with Ragged Robin, Water Forget me not, Bog cotton, no flowers on the Bog Bean yet but swallows swooping down to drink from the ponds.
Then our favourite picnic table although slowly sinking was just the spot for lunch. An Adder was disturbed from his rest in the sun. We are so lucky to have all this wildlife on our doorstep.
A nice gentle climb through the woods to inspect the Snodderbottom Heath Spotted Orchids. Just coming out but lots more coming between the squidgy tussocks. Wonderful!
A nice day out on our Moor.
Stella