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Thursday, 4 May 2023

Bluebells

In this trip we're off on what has become something of a regular pilgrimage since my brother and I retired from the hectic world of work. Sometimes we search out new locations, but this year we returned to our favourite bluebell woods near the villages of St Paul's Walden and Preston, in Hertfordshire.



We parked near the church and were greeted by a splendid cock pheasant in full breeding plumage. We took it as a sign of a good day ahead.



And indeed we hadn't walked far at all before we encountered our first bluebells, growing in a meadow. Alongside them was another woodland plant, the Wood Anemone. We're walking through a "ghost wood", the trees having been cleared, but the woodland flowers persisting.



There were Primroses too, a flower most often associated with woodland edges and clearings. The fact that it's so often seen away from woods nowadays is just a reminder of how much woodland we have lost.



But raising our eyes we could see a carpet of bluebells on the edge of Hitch Wood, which is where this path will eventually lead us.



But first we have to follow an ancient track past grazing horses, pass by some very expensive-looking country dwellings and cross a quiet road.



Then our task is to simply follow the waymarked track through Hitch Wood. This is a privately-owned wood, albeit with a couple of public paths leading through it. At this eastern end of the wood the landowner has laid out more paths through the masses of bluebells and has put up signs and markers to help you on your way. There's even a small car park near the entrance to the wood.



By and large people stick to the permitted paths and don't trample the flowers. 



These are all English Bluebells and are distinct from the European variety. The English ones tend to have all their flowers hanging to one side and are smaller (and bluer). Unfortunately the more vigorous continental form has been introduced into gardens and can hybridise with the English bluebell.



We found ourselves walking more and more slowly as we tried to absorb all the beauty (and the wonderful fragrance) around us.



Soon we were following a rough track which was leading us out of this magical wonderland. Don't worry we'll find more bluebells later!



We're now out of the wood and passing by what I imagine was, and maybe still is, a gamekeeper's cottage. If our cock pheasant has any sense he'll linger in the churchyard, well away from the men with shotguns. 



Keep your eyes open - bluebells grow everywhere in this area.



Or you might spot a Treecreeper as it makes its mouse-like way up the trunk of a tree searching for insects.



Or you might see the more unusual white form of the bluebell. After a short walk we were back at the church at St Paul's Walden, where we'd left the car. 'Tis then but a short drive to the village of Preston and what is perhaps my favourite place for bluebells, Wain Wood.



Again there's a public footpath leading through, which the landowner has supplemented with additional permissive paths so you can enjoy the spectacle.



How did a branch grow like that?



Wain Wood has an interesting history which I wrote about a couple of years ago. If you're interested, or just want to see more pictures of bluebells, you can find that post at "By Stargoose And Hanglands": A Pilgrimage and A Pilgrim.



A tunnel for fairy folk?



Although the public are encouraged to walk here and see the flowers, it's clear from the signs that they don't want you biking through. Just as we're leaving here come some very young cyclists. At the gate they dismount and obediently push their bikes through the wood. There is hope for the world!




Take care.


28 comments:

  1. Wow! Those bluebell fields are incredible! Thanks for sharing your great photos.

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  2. I have been in England when the bluebells are at their peak, and it is truly one of nature's great spectacles. I knew what to expect, but expectation didn't even come close to the actual experience of it all. It was really quite moving and impressed on me anew the splendour of the natural world in all its amazing diversity.

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  3. Wow! Absolutely beautiful and awesome inspiring. What a beautiful walk to take. Thank you

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  4. What a wonderful experience that you stopped and took photos, then assembled with comments...all for my enjoyment. Of course it would have been nicer if the blue bell scent could now waff out of my screen as I take a deep breath. Sigh, not yet.

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  5. These are lovely photos, John. I had my own annual hike just last week to see the bluebells blooming here. It is always a happy, uplifting hike for me as I celebrate these beauties. Ours are bluer with tinges of pink sometimes and it is fun to spot the rare white ones popping up. To see the fields and fields of bluebells always makes me smile.

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  6. That is amazing. What a beautiful post this was from beginning to end, John.

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  7. John that is indeed a beautiful cock pheasant. I don't like the idea of breeding for shooting, which I know is how the estates make their money as they charge a lot per gun. I have never eaten it but if we were ever given one the farmer would take off the breast and the legs and if I was going out for the day I would put them in a casserole, add an onion and a few veg - pour in half a bottle of red wine and stick it in the bottom oven of the Aga - it would all be gone when I returned. And the 'blueness' of those bluebells is amazing.

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  8. Al estar ya retirado de la vida laboral, tiene una buena ventaja, Ya tienes el tiempo necesario, para cultivar de tus aficiones. El visitar la Naturaleza, es una de ella y las fotografías también una parte importante de tu vida .El faisán se ve precioso y veo mucha vida en tus bellas imágenes.
    Saludos.

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  9. Such beautiful photos, John. If I could ever get on a plane and fly, which I haven't done since the 1990s, I would go to England in spring during bluebell season. It is so lush and beautiful. That pheasant is grand too! Your springtime hikes there are inspiring.

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  10. Magnificent! From the first photo of the pheasant, to the last photo of the tree amongst bluebells --- peaceful, serene and soothing. Thank you for sharing!

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  11. This is the second bluebells post I have seen recently, and both has left me astounded. What a sight! I didn't realize they also had a scent. I would love to see them.one day, but this is busy garden time for us, so no time to travel. Daggone it.

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  12. What an AMAZING pilgrimage. Many, many thanks.

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  13. Fabulous set of images John. You did have a good day.

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  14. What a beautiful walk! Amazing! Forest with a blue carpet. How long do bluebells last?

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    1. They usually look good for two weeks or so. They were slightly past their best when I visited - something you don't really notice till you get up really close. Late April is usually the best time.

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  15. Spectacular! It must be magical to walk those paths! The new green of the trees and the bluebells are some of the prettiest scenes ever, John!

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  16. Wow I must say you have grown in your photo skills.Very very beautiful❤️

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  17. So very, very lovely. It never occurred to me that in addition to the beauty there would be a delightful fragrance to these flowers. Wish you could share that on a blog. I see Granny Sue above made same observation. I have not come across anything around here to match your bluebells.

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  18. You chose the right time to be out when the blooms are at their peak.

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  19. What a wonderful sight. It doesn't seem a year since you posted about them.

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  20. Like you I just love seeing the bluebells. I think we are so lucky to be able to get out and appreciate our wild spring flowers.

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  21. Judy from Maine5 May 2023 at 12:28

    So so beautiful, thank you for the visual candy this morning.

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  22. I have never seen such a lush display of ANY wildflower. Just gorgeous. Your bird would be called a pheasant here. He was a gorgeous sight as well. What a beautiful day you had!

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  23. Amazing beauty all around!

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  24. My son and his family were in Hitch Wood just a few days after your visit, and between his photos and yours it appears that the bluebells are looking better than I have ever seen them looking in Hitch Wood for a long time - that is really good news.

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  25. Stunning photos, there is nothing quite as beautiful as a bluebell wood at this time of year:)

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