Spring fire dances
Through trees warm the earth to bake
Restful seeds awake
This morning the new woodland entranced at Sunnydale welcomed me into the park. It’s large oak gateposts standing proud. Ready to greet more visitors throughout the day. The morning before I had spoke to man who said his grandson exclaimed they must be that tall to keep the dinosaurs inside!
I stepped through the winding path hearing all the usual culprits en route; some jolly Great Tits, dozy Woodpigeons, and a restless Wren.
I ventured along the new looping path which swings by the old stone Victorian footbridge. It’s edges lapped by Comfrey and Celandine, whilst White Daffodils bloom in patches all around. A Blackcap broke out into song nearby, whom I manage to spy through the sticky buds of a Horse Chestnut Tree.
Work here is a nearing competition, with a few stones left to be mortared and the handrail yet to be fitted. Pruning of Burt’s ornamental plantings; Spotted Laurel, Privet, and Japanese Spindle have revealed glimpses of the bridge from a distance. Peeking from the right angle, you might be able to work out a large stone owl staring back at you - with fabulous limestone archway of lashes, two heavy lintel brows and a bold split-water beak!
Further up the coast path, the view opens across Durlston Bay, with the Isle of Wight obscured by haze on the horizon. Two Ash Trees and an Elm lean precariously over the edge. One of which has actually split vertically up through it’s trunk. I wonder how long it will survive, living on the very edge of this ever-changing coast!