my photos

n'er cast a clout 'til May is out ...

Keep your coat on, until the May blossom's out!

The weather over the last couple of days has been cold and wet, but not a total washout.

Not put off with the forecast of yet more rain, we set off in the search of our native English Bluebell (seen above mixing in quite happily with the beautiful white almost heart-shape petals of Greater Stitchwort), knowing of an area a bit off the beaten track, where it would hopefully be just us and the wildlife.

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It wasn't long before we were cycling past spectacular glades of English Bluebells.

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More Bluebells, and batches of native Primroses here and there too.

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Much of the bridlepath was above ankle-deep in clay mud, and pretty much impassable on a bike.

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We were surprised at how boggy it was, considering the long continuous spell of dry and sunny weather we've been having over the past month.

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On the path above we were now able to hop back on our bikes.

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I was astounded to see the large areas of Euphorbia, never having seen the plant in such an excessive quantity before.

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On the return part of the ride, this time along quiet lanes, we pass the tiny Parish Cemetery at Shermanbury.

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It's curiosity draws us in.

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A pretty mass of Primrose vulgaris, surrounds the headstones.

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Calm and unmoving, with only a male Pheasant for company.

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Cuckoo Pint? Otherwise known as Lords and Ladies!

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At this stage we were both very soggy, muddy and cold!

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This area is alongside the layby where we park up.

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Up until recently you could only see the top of this picnic bench, the area having been left overgrown with long grasses and allsorts of weeds.

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It's a huge improvement for us, but a loss of the veritable wildlife habitat it had once become.

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