I once heard tell of Albion
The land of lost content
Since I was told I have been drawn
Last week I finally went
The rolling hills, the field and spire
Were all I ever dreamed
Yet now I’ve filled my heart’s desire
What have I really gleaned?
Fresh from my weekend hiking trip in Shropshire, I felt light on my feet as I scaled the hill on my way to Durlston. There was a heavy stillness to the park this morning, as if it had just eaten a very big dinner. Common Vetch, Agrimony and Fleabane glistened with moisture by the side of Long Meadow, the field almost bare. A few bales dotted its surface, soon to be removed. Lucky we made it while the sun was shining. Passing into the park proper I noted a fresh breeze was blowing, and the air hung thick with humidity.
Heading out to Large Copse, a scruffy little Robin was perched on our “bee aware” sign. It chirped very briefly and bobbed from side to side a little before taking its leave. Moving on I noted the feel of the ground underfoot. The earth was still solid, but the surface felt a little plastic beneath my heels. Wild Parsnips were flourishing with the return of the rain, along with some healthy looking Red Bartsia. A Blackbird leapt into the air from the footpath and disappeared into the hedge as I entered the little island of trees.
Many Zoned Polypore was also benefitting from the damp, with several logs along the border heavily decorated. A Jay screeched out from the branches above as I passed into Taskers Meadow. Not everything was flourishing after the breaking of the drought. A few forlorn Meadow Browns fluttered aimlessly over the stalks of once proud wildflowers, alighting briefly here and there before taking off again. A few defiant Knapweed poked out of the green and brown medley, somehow the survivors of the farmer’s mechanical scythe.
I set a course for the gulley, hoping to catch sight of a few birds sheltering from the wind. Traversing Ox Eye Daisy Meadow a Greater Black Backed Gull floated lazily above, silently lording it over the land high in the empty skies. A little further along I heard the quiet chirrups of a few Goldfinches.
Beside the Lower Gulley I failed to spy and birds around the bridge, though I couldn’t fail to spot a pair of Kestrels tussling in the air. Their loud Ke-Ke-Ke calls ringing out across the valley. I returned up the Lighthouse Road to the Learning Centre, The mist veiled Purbeck Hills looming behind.