Outlook: Sunny day with slight breeze
I opened the gate, stepping into the blissful quiet of the Woodland Trail. A few paces in, and I feel utterly at peace. All noises from the road now behind me, I stop and listen. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths, allowing the calm to descend completely. I listen to the Chiffchaffs and Robins overhead. Opening my eyes, I witness a Carrion Crow swooping onto a branch, cawing in self-congratulations for his graceful landing.
Walking further into the woods, I begin my walk in earnest. First to draw my attention is the Sycamore saplings, sporting their velvety new leaves. Among the ground Ivy are Bluebells, yet to open, and the curlicue fern fronds, wearing their hairy white and orange coats with pride. Bright yellow suns of the Lesser Celandine hide amongst the last of the Daffodils, whose white heads and yellow-orange bills remind me of ducklings.
As I walk, listening to the twitter of Grey Squirrels, a Great Tit calls, and Blackbirds sing their sweet lyrics. The sun dances shadows through the trees, painting patterns on the path before me. I stop at my favourite observation point, listening to the waves on the cliff below. The sun is warm on my face, a blinding brilliance of diamonds glittering over the blue of the sea. The air is a soft mixture of salt and warm earth. There is a wandering sweetness that plays on a memory which I can’t quite pinpoint. Herring Gulls call from the distance and Woodpigeons coo above me, their wings sounding heavy as they fly.
Moving on, I slow at the drone of bees. The apple trees above me are dressed in white blossoms. Sweeping along the flowers are a Honeybee and three Red-tailed Bumblebees releasing petals to drifts about in the breeze. Closer to the castle I spot the bright soft colouring of yellow Primroses and the plucky purples of Hairy Violets.
I meet Ben, excited at finding a Whelk cake which the recent winds have blown up over the cliffs. He has been on a Butterfly Transect, discovering Speckled Wood, Large White, and Peacock butterflies about the park this morning.
Paul meanwhile, in Saxon Field, has discovered Early Spider Orchids, Spanish Bluebells, and Early Purple Orchids. Having spotted a Buzzard overhead, he later reports a Redkite flying over Little Copse.
Today’s diary written by Rosaline McGraffin