Up And Down May Hill: Lyme Cobb and Flowers
A mile past Huntley on the A40 Ross road, is the turning to May Hill and Clifford Mesne.
The drive continues, around twisty, mostly single-track lanes; until, after passing over a cattle grid, you arrive at a parking space opposite May Hill Common.
The middle path is selected and the steep uphill walk begins.
On this ascent, I noticed, these brightly coloured fungi.
Looking back down was this spectacular view.
At the top of the slope, one goes through a kissing gate, which marks the county border. Once through, you are in Herefordshire. Here the walk meets the lovely springy grass of the common and the way is clear to the summit of May Hill.
As you can see, the summit at 1000 feet has a very conspicuous clump of Corsican Pines. They were originally planted in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee; and later some re-planting took place in 1978; this time for Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee. It is thought that in 1588, this spot was used as a beacon to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada.
May Hill has always been a sacred space for me; not necessary in the religious sense, but instead as constant reminder that I am in home territory. This small group of pines stands out boldly to announce its position, from all over Gloucestershire and even coming north on the M5 Motorway; they can be seen. Once in my youth I watched the dawn rise on this hill; a magical moment indeed.
If you look at the above photo, you should see, one of a number of benches, thoughtfully provided, for sitting and musing at the views, all around.
Returning, after a detour, on a forest trail, on the central path back to the car I espied these wild ponies.
Getting back to the car, I felt very fortunate in visiting such beautiful spot on a perfect late September day.
On Wednesday of last week( 28/9 ) I stopped in Newent Town, and in an art shop, I was taken by some contemporary prints of May Hill by artist Valerie Mclean.
Here is a weblink, which displays some of this work.
May Hill prints
*******************
I didn't need much persuasion from my wife D. to journey on Thursday to sunny Dorset and Lyme Regis. In my past postings, I have uploaded many Lyme photos; but here is one from this journey.
The light was so strong, that it darkened the shot, but it shows the view overlooking the famous Cobb Harbour.
And Lyme ? Simply glorious.
Finally, yesterday, in Tewkesbury Abbey Grounds I took this picture of late border colours.
Have a good week and take some memories of this sunny interval, to help you through the coming winter,
Ciao4now
Ck.
The drive continues, around twisty, mostly single-track lanes; until, after passing over a cattle grid, you arrive at a parking space opposite May Hill Common.
The middle path is selected and the steep uphill walk begins.
On this ascent, I noticed, these brightly coloured fungi.
Looking back down was this spectacular view.
At the top of the slope, one goes through a kissing gate, which marks the county border. Once through, you are in Herefordshire. Here the walk meets the lovely springy grass of the common and the way is clear to the summit of May Hill.
May Hill has always been a sacred space for me; not necessary in the religious sense, but instead as constant reminder that I am in home territory. This small group of pines stands out boldly to announce its position, from all over Gloucestershire and even coming north on the M5 Motorway; they can be seen. Once in my youth I watched the dawn rise on this hill; a magical moment indeed.
If you look at the above photo, you should see, one of a number of benches, thoughtfully provided, for sitting and musing at the views, all around.
Returning, after a detour, on a forest trail, on the central path back to the car I espied these wild ponies.
Getting back to the car, I felt very fortunate in visiting such beautiful spot on a perfect late September day.
On Wednesday of last week( 28/9 ) I stopped in Newent Town, and in an art shop, I was taken by some contemporary prints of May Hill by artist Valerie Mclean.
Here is a weblink, which displays some of this work.
May Hill prints
*******************
I didn't need much persuasion from my wife D. to journey on Thursday to sunny Dorset and Lyme Regis. In my past postings, I have uploaded many Lyme photos; but here is one from this journey.
The light was so strong, that it darkened the shot, but it shows the view overlooking the famous Cobb Harbour.
And Lyme ? Simply glorious.
Finally, yesterday, in Tewkesbury Abbey Grounds I took this picture of late border colours.
Have a good week and take some memories of this sunny interval, to help you through the coming winter,
Ciao4now
Ck.
Nearly a cracker!
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