The Woods in May

Hello Lovelies,
sorry it's been a while again. If you want to know what I'm up to "day to day" then please click on the instagram button in my side bar, the little blue square below my photo.

The truth is I'm having some issues  with uploading photos to blogger ( all my thumbnails show up as icons not images) and this makes writing a blog post a rather lengthy affair.

Anyway, here are a some photos I've managed to sort :0)

A couple of weeks ago the walking group headed for Charnwood Forest. It's an area with interesting geology and a rocky landscape so different from the usual countryside around here. I've written posts about visits here several times, but I never tire of it.

The bluebells were still flowering as we set off though the sunlit woodland......

and it was not too warm to stride out briskly.....

The fields and trees were a wonderful fresh green. Quiet a surprise as this was exactly one week after our Thorpe walk...and the week, coupled with the more southerly, sheltered situation made a huge difference ........

I lagged behind to snap pictures of pretty streams........

and smiled broadly at buttercup meadows........

We walked through a pretty village with cute cottages........

Where the homes and walls are made of the local volcanic stone.......

Then we climbed a big hill, and could soon see the village bellow us.
All the way up  I chatted with a 75 year old member of the group, who didn't seem to get even slightly breathless with the exertion.

So inspiring ( the view and the fitness :0).........

But it was a the amazingly fresh " newborn" green leaves that really made my heart sing......

By this time it was getting warm and we found a shady spot for lunch.........

Then in the afternoon we were happy to walk through the dappled shade..........

I know this is a rather blurry photo but these are all hurried snaps and I just wanted to share that amazingly bright green of the new Beech leaves.....so special.........

The woodland on a sunny May day...I'm not sure there is anywhere more magical........

There was a pretty stream too. Not quiet the river Dove, but lovely non the less......

I love a sunny view from a shady spot......

soon it was time for another steep climb.......

And a sit down at the top for our afternoon drink with a view........

There are those jagged volcanic rocks again. They give this area a rugged beauty I love.........

The final part of our walk consisted of pretty views.......

more bluebells.......

Drystone  walls.......

More impressive rocky outcrops........

Wild flowers.......

Red Campion

Hawthorn blossom or "May"

and even more simply wonderful green........

This time of year is so special and I felt blessed that we got a sunny day to see it at its best......

Jacquie x