Friday 9 July 2010

Alder and Honeysuckle


Lack of water on the higher parts of Blacka suggests a walk staring from Shorts Lane where you can stroll alongside the delightful stream still bubbling away. This is another place graced with the presence of many alder trees, lovers of wetter ground. Everyone should stop for a minute or two and enjoy the marvellous patterns on the alder's bark and once again think whether the pleasure gained can be bettered by any 'managed' landscape.


Honeysuckle climbing around alder only adds to the wildness rather than prettifies it.
The Shorts Lane path is a great asset to Blacka, being both interesting and sheltered from the wind so contrasting with the more exposed higher reaches. Its chief disadvantage for older folk is that it stays level for only a limited stretch before a choice of three alternatives all go mercilessly uphill.

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