EASTER MONDAY MORNING IN HARRIDGE WOODS!

I can't think of a nicer way to spend the early morning of a sunny Easter Bank Holiday Monday than a walk in Harridge Woods, Oakhill with friends.  Belinda, Jenny and I hadn't met up in ages so there was a lot to talk about!  We went to see the wild garlic, but at the entrance of the woods all we could see were bluebells and evidence, in the form of logs, of a continual maintenance programme.  This work is carried out by the Somerset Wildlife Trust who own the woods. 

However, as we walked deeper into the woods, there were carpets of wild garlic.  It was mostly in leaf and bud but we did see some of pretty white star-like flowers.  We reckon another week or so before it is all in full flower.  We could certainly smell the garlic...

One of the exciting things on this particular walk, is the way the woods are reclaiming the ruins of Ashwick Grove House (see above).  Only hints of the former grand house and outbuildings remain...

Another ruin on the walk is Keepers Cottage (see top left), which has been preserved from further collapse, as a habitat for bats.  Overall, the building supports at least seven species of bat throughout the year.  These woods are a great place for fungi, wildflowers, lichen, ferns, moss, as well as birds and wild animals.  We didn't see any deer this time but we did hear plenty of birdsong and an active woodpecker!

A WOOD FOR ALL THE SENSES!

Today I had a magical walk with Belinda in Harridge Woods, a Somerset Wildlife Nature Reserve. It was an assault on all the senses.

Our eyes were treated to the early morning sunlight filtering through the trees onto lush greenery and carpets of wild garlic, which could also be detected by the pungent smell!  As we walked down into the bottom of the wooded valley, there was the sound of birdsong and gushing water from the fast flowing Mells River.

Belinda and I try to time our walks in these beautiful woods to coincide with the wild garlic season, as it is a wondrous sight. We couldn't stop taking photographs!  We also picked a few leaves to take home to add to our cooking! 

Finally, being in the woods with magnificent tall trees and dappled sunlight was like being in a natural cathedral - wonderful for my sense of well-being and good for the soul...

GREEN AND LUSCIOUS WOODS!

I have been unable to go for walks lately, due to family circumstances.  I am hoping in September that things will change and I can get back to regular walking, as I do miss getting amongst nature!  Today, I had the chance of going to Harridge Woods with my friend Belinda.  Last time we went there, the wild garlic was in full flower... 

Today, everything was overgrown, green and luscious!  Heavy rain yesterday meant that there was mud and plenty of rushing water in the Mells River, making a lovely sound at the bottom of the wooded valley.

Harridge Woods is a nature reserve that is owned and managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust.  It has nature trails and is 136 acres in area, made up of different woodlands.  It has an interesting history, including mining, forestry and ruins of man-made constructions, glimpses of which can still be seen.  One example is Keepers Cottage (see above), which was an old estate worker's dwelling.  Through the Wildlife Trust, it has become a managed bat roost of at least seven species throughout the year.

Everywhere there was evidence of the work of the Wildlife Trust to create habitats for wildlife and return the woods to native deciduous woodland.  Without this work and the created pathways, it would not be possible to have such fantastic walks, and you would need a machete to hack your way through!

   

WILD GARLIC FOR TEA!

This morning, I had another lovely woodland walk with Belinda.  Although there were some bluebells, this wood was all about the wild garlic.  Carpets of bright white star shaped flowers with dark green foliage and that pungent garlic smell!  It was a beautiful sight.  The great thing about this plant is that it is edible - flowers and leaves.  We both collected some to take home to use.  I am going to make a wild garlic risotto for tea tonight! 

Our walk was in Harridge Woods, which we visited this time last year - follow the label below.  This wood is managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust, with pathways, interesting ruins, running water and it is only a few miles outside Shepton...

PERFECT WOODS!

Today we ventured further afield for an adventure in the woods with a guide! Belinda showed us one of her favourite walks.  We took Jenny's car and parked off road, just past Oakhill, a village a few miles outside Shepton, and started our walk at Somerset Wildlife Trust's Harridge Woods.

It was just beautiful, with carpets of wild garlic, dappled sunshine, a meandering stream, rocks, moss, diverse woodland, glades and ruins to look at.  There was such a sense of serenity and peacefulness that we all took a collective sigh, and forgot any everyday worries!

In addition to the wild garlic, which you could smell everywhere, we saw bluebells, marsh marigolds, yellow dead nettles, and other wildflowers.  We could also hear lots of birdsong and the lovely sound of running water...

We had an exciting encounter with a large Roe Deer who came bounding down the path towards us until we were spotted, and then it swerved violently, crashed into the undergrowth and disappeared.  It startled us so much that we didn't have time to react and take any pictures!  On the same path we came across a couple of lively dogs, who happened to be with a friend of ours - see below...

We also came across the remains of a gamekeeper's cottage, which had been taken over by the Wildlife Trust, who have created a loft space and bat roosts to encourage bats, especially the conservation of the horseshoe species.

Another intriguing sight was the remains of a Georgian Mansion, Ashwick Grove House and gardens.  See some of the remains above.  All very mysterious, and example of man's creations being taken over by nature.  It is in such a dilapidated state that great care and a hard hat should be worn to walk around it!

Photograph by Belinda Ollis Blackwell

Finally, after a fabulous two hour walk and a small amount of foraged wild garlic, we made our way home in style, with the roof down!!