A storm is coming. Rain lashed the window panes last night and strong winds bent the Poplars behind the house. The rain eased as I drove to Brenchley and the pale blue sky was revealed. Dee (and Maisie) and I parked in Goudhurst, and took the path to Bedgebury Forest. The Sun broke free from the cloud and the wind blew from the south-west into our faces. Conversation was difficult, with oft repeated exchanges. Pheasants scattered and made noisy escape from Maisie as we followed the brook to Smugley Farm and lemon coloured leaves blew about us. Along the Bedgebury road were Pheasants killed by unemotional travellers; cocooned and away from the world, havoc is wreaked. Should I pop one into my bag? No; carrying, plucking and gutting would be a chore. I too, find it difficult to drag myself from modern convenience. I shall purchase a brace, oven-ready!
At Marlingate, the colours of the Limes was yellowing and were blown toward Goudhurst Parish in a flurry. Through Three Chimneys Farm and into Bedgebury Forest, a shower of rain forced us to don our coats. All was quiet in the forest, and there were no walkers or cyclists to disturb us. Even at the Pinetum, the people stayed away. We sheltered at the Centre with the lake before us, and leek and potato soup, with a chunk of home made bread was for breakfast. On the way out of the Pinetum, we admired the colours of a collection of American Sweetgum with their pale yellow to deep purple leaves. It is quite sheltered there, so the wind wasn't battering the trees. Among the conifers, Acers, deep scarlet, were dotted about to give contrast to the scene.
The lane to Kilndown was was strewn with Chestnuts, and these were sampled on the way. There were Common Earthball mushrooms along the path in Park Wood, but were left alone. They can give you a jippy
belly. Another cup of tea was taken by the old quarry in Kilndown, and we were sheltered by the trees. More Chestnuts were collected on the way to Pump Hill, then into Finchcocks Park, and the strength of the wind was increasing. It was behind us now; perhaps it would blow us up the hill to Goudhurst! There was a sole Shaggy Parasol mushroom in the park, but I let it be. The hedges along the lane to Green Cross were draped with Black Bryony berries like scarlet necklaces and Black Nightshade was in flower still.
The last leg of our walk was through Crowbourne Farm. I picked a couple of Field mushrooms and wished I had taken the Shaggy Parasol for a tasty medley. Up on the side of the hill, a tall hedge, maybe 30 feet high, was a solid wall of Blackberries. Some time was spent tasting this late crop! This hedge faces north-east, not a particularly favourable position, we thought. On the hill-top, we turned to admire the view, buffeted by the wind, and the air was crystal clear, all the way to the North Downs.
Back home, it was time to secure the garden furniture and batten down the hatches for the storm to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment