Heading through the meadows the few days of rain have already had an impact. The once dull brown dry cracking paths, now have a smattering of tiny green grass shoots just starting to appear. The very surface of the ground is now sticky with mud; it feels a bit like walking over the floor in a bar with sticky floors.
Two Wrens shout to each other from opposing Blackthorn scrub patches. One bursts from the cover of the bush and dashes to the next tiny wings a blur of movement. The Blackthorn it chooses is smothered in dark purple slow berries, all shiny now there covered in rainwater
In the hay rake quar only the short flowering stems of the Autumn Ladies Tresses remain now the flowers have gone over. Towards the back of the quar jewel like rose hips can be seen as well as Hawthorn bushes smothered in red berries turning the trees red. Yarrow pokes out of a large patch of Rest-harrow, the white flower head contrasting against the deep green of the Rest-harrow leaves.
More berry abundance as I head through the drove between saxon and Holocombe. The hedgerows are filled with blackberries, sloes and haws a feast for the birds in the area. Oldman’s Beard clambers over the lot, the fluffy white seed heads on full display.
Dodging the cow pats heading over the top of ten I find the Hereford cows grazing peacefully on the downlands. Back up the light house road, passing a Wild Pear tree covered in fruit and three Herring Gulls over head having a loud argument. Out to sea Great Black Backed Gulls soar pass slightly and gracefully.