Field of Blue '09

The rest of the Album is here: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipO5G_SapkXgXASDMUHGSEkHRNFLBzzfKMItq7Br

We started out for Norsey wood on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The short drive across town and out the other side was routine. However, arriving at the car park, it was full to overflowing with a queue to get in. We were not the only ones who had decided to take a walk in the woods to see the bluebells and make the best of an unexpectedly good day. Norsey wood is noted for its bluebells. We drove back to a little known or used entrance, and parked on the main road. It was only a short walk to the trail. We do not visit the woods often, after last year we had intended to go back, but never made it. That was partly due to me finding work. Having found the trail, I carefully marked it so that we would know where to turn of on our way back. I would probably have remembered, but I might not have. Making the mark caused some discussion, but was worth it. A broken branch is propped up against a tree, pointing the direction that we should travel in on our return. There was little chance to stand and listen with so many people, including children and dogs, in the wood. We made our way round, past the children playing in the stream and up the hill the other side. The bluebells here are sparse. Further on though, there are better samples. It is not possible to capture the full panoramic view through the trees, or the impression of the blue carpet running under various thickets, but the pictures give an indication. Wild life was mainly limited to ants nests, where the ants are busy building. Even now, it fascinates me to drop a stick in the middle and watch the chaos as they check it out and confirm it is not a threat. I expect we look like that when something unexpected happens, though I don't think we understand our roles as clearly. There was the occasional butterfly making the best of the sunshine and being distinctly camera shy. A few birds, thrushes I think, flew away as we approached, so it was difficult to tell what they were for sure. The star of the piece must be the bluebells - it is their time. In a few weeks only their leaves will be visible and as summer approaches they will disappear under the brambles, ferns and trees. Up by the top end of the dear bank, where the view was so stunningly beautiful last year, the growth of the trees filters some of the blue and the image is not so impressive. Near the visitor centre, there are a few garden plants - forget-me-nots that have made a home in the wood. It's along this path, part of the disabled access track, that the best views are found this year. We go past the still full car park, and the still full road leading to it. Onwards around the trail, up and down until we return to the turn-off. Jo is ahead and waiting for me. "See, it worked." "I was going by the post" (a way marker showing the route of the trail) "There are loads of them" No reply. We turn off and start to work out how long we have been in the woods - a little over an hour. Not long, but time well spent. We will have to go back in a month or so and see how things have changed. Look out for next year's post.