AtWaG - (All the World's a Garden)

Golden host and something to try.....

It seems to me that there are a load more wild daffodils around my neck-of-the-woods than there used to be. I don't know if it's down to better woodland management, climate change, or less picking by pikeys - whatever the reason it's a 'good thing' IMHO.
The best stand of wild daffs (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) that I know in my area is near Christchurch on Meyrick Estate land right alongside the A35. You can park close by and view the Daffys from the pavement (sidewalk) however take great care as the road is busy and the 40mph signs mostly ignored.

Rainbow on the day of the storm

  Rainbow on the day of the storm 
  Originally uploaded by AtWaG

The weather was wild and windy but thankfully no serious damage in this rather protected part of the UK. I went down to Mudeford Quay in the hope of some big wave action but the sea was turbulent rather than dramatic. On the way back to the New Forest at Bisterne I spotted this rainbow and newly planted potato field in a spell of bright sunshine.
This field is worth a re-visit with more time and some evening light to emphasise the contours of the ridges. This location is in the fertile part of the Avon valley where there a number of farms grow veg and fruit. The soil is even good enough for Asparagus at Sopley.

Clump or Butt?

On the north western edge of the Ibsley common part of New Forest 'plateau' there is a distinctive group of trees, a familiar landmark to those who know the area. 'Robin Hoods clump' is close to the smallholding where I live and so I have grown up with it. 'Robin Hoods Butt' is another name used for the little family of Scots Pines (Pinus sylvestris var Scotica).
In 50 years the trees have changed very little, a few branches have been shed and some natural (and unnatural) thinning has taken place. The trees are exposed to the full force of the westerlies and have something of the lean that you see in coastal areas even though we are 15 miles from the sea.

According to records the trees were planted in the early part of the 20th century to replace an earlier group that had been destroyed by an heath fire. The Somerley estate would have planted the trees as the clump was an important element in the landscape view from Lord Normanton's 'Mansion' on the other side of the Avon valley.

There are all kinds of stories about Robin Hoods clump...

Water meadows in full flow

Water meadows are dissapearing around the UK but I'm pleased to say the water meadows at Harbridge near Ibsley are in good condition and still working the way they were designed to.

This road crosses the meadows and leads to Harbridge Church. You can't see it now (hidden by brambles) but at the road side there is a pedestrian causeway about a foot high designed to ensure that even in times of flooding the parishioners of a hundred years ago could get to church on sunday without wet feet.

This image was shown on BBC South Today (March 8th) - fame at last!