I left my world this morning, to wander in another
A brick and steel-grey awning replaced by natural colour
We made this place, marked out its borders
But our claims hold no sway here
No human face can issue orders
In the land of the wandering deer.
The first item on my agenda this morning was checking on the fungi in the woodlands, but I was rather disappointed as I made my way up to the Learning Centre by how little was on display. The park sounded nice enough though, with a pleasant medley of Wren, Dunnock and Chaffinch with a little Blue Tit and Robin mixed in.
Arriving at the Car Park I made my way down to the Castle via the Woodland Path, spotting Meadow Barley, Cowslips, Wild Carrot and a Magpie on the way. A few Glistening Ink Caps were showing at the log borders which put a smile on my face as I passed Mock Orange and Mallow on my way down the Coast Path. Half a dozen Pyramidal Orchids were growing beneath a spur of Red Valerian, busy pulverizing another section of wall. I took care of it.
An undulating blanket of altostratus hung above the ocean, completely obscuring the sky behind its folds. I stood a moment at Durlston Head, watching a Garden Snail slither down the interpretation panel mounted there. It was sitting on the “you are here” dot. How very appropriate.
Approaching the viewpoint a Kestrel sat atop one of the capper stones, hopping out of view as I approached, though I could still hear the gentle ke-ke-ke of its call from below. Wild Thyme and Yellow Wort were growing alongside the path, and as I came to the Tilly Whim Caves I spied a Whitethroat alighting on a sprig of Tamarisk. It wasn’t singing.
Wending my way along a sheep path above the gulley I took quiet pleasure in traversing a path less trodden. Centaury, Ladies Bedstraw, Medic and Eyebright all grew in profusion, with Swifts and Linnets calling overhead and Marbled Whites supping on Greater Knapweed. At the Gulley Bridge I experienced the highlight of my morning. Looking up I saw a Roe Deer silhouetted against the grey cloud staring down at me intently. For a moment I felt very much an interloper in a foreign land, but then it turned its gaze elsewhere. Perhaps I was simply beneath its notice.