Tuesday, 3 June 2014

June arrived pleasantly

1st June 2014

    Pinch punch, it's the first of the month!
    Dee, Maisie and myself set off from Ightham Mote under the Sun and took the steep route for Seal Chart. Dee, as usual, left me behind as I puffed and panted up the hill, but waited for me with Maisie at the top and we looked out back over the tree tops and the green horizon. It was cool under the trees, which slowed my sweat and when my breath was caught, we started down the deeply trodden ancient trackway through the Common, high on the ridge. On the woodland verge, delicate pale yellow flowers, Common Cow Wheat, not a delicate name, nodded their heads as we passed. We walked in our ancestors' footfall past St. Lawrence's Church and down to Oak Bank Hall and The Grove. Here we crossed the road onto the golf course and followed the path to Godden Green for breakfast on the green opposite 'The Stag' pub under the warm Sun.
    In the wood at Godden Green, a Jay, such a beauty with blue wings, was being harassed by mother Blackbird who had a nest nearby, no doubt. And there was a clearing, with two large Beeches each end with the canopy creating a great hall and birdsong filled the space. From there we made our way to Knole Park; I was hoping to see new born fawns but we were probably a little early. We shall come back later in the month. Up in an Oak tree, Jackdaws were feeding their young in an old woodpecker's hole. There was a great chattering when mum appeared and shoved food inside. Out of the park and along the Greensand way, we stopped for another break on One Tree Hill overlooking the Weald. A family with young children walked by and the little boy said 'can we have our picnic now'? No, not yet, said dad. And on they went.
    We followed on after them but parted at Willmot Hill to go into the Sun and down to Budds and into the cool woods there. It had clouded over a little when we came out the other end, so we didn't have to suffer the heat crossing the wheat fields to Shipbourne. Going over to Ightham Mote, the family were in a meadow having their picnic and we waved hello. Then on to the cafeteria for coffee, and home.

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