2014 Visit to see the Bluebells at Hedgerley

It is Easter Sunday and It is Raining but the Scenery is Blue.

With the fabulous Sunny Weather we have been enjoying in Buckinghamshire recently, the day I choose to take my Camera on a visit to see the Bluebells, and it Rains all day!

The Hedgerley to Hedgerley Green Bridleway

Our chosen rout into the woods is via the Bridleway which passes the Church. As we make our way we pass young children heading home from Church with their Easter Baskets containing gifts of Eggs. 

The Hedgerley Bluebells flowered early this year but the plants are also stronger and the ground coverage is more widespread than it was last year.

The popularity of these Bluebells is noted by the massive increase in Walkers and Families that we meet during our circuit of these woods.  

 Ann & Digby heading along the footpath originally created by Deer.

Immediatly, the Bluebells are visible in areas where, last year, very few were visible. 

 Here, the Deer Path takes us under a very old rotting Fallen Tree. Eventually it will collapse and we will be stepping over it.

  

 Back on the RSPB waymarked formal footpath. In the background the wide spread of the Blue Hue is visible in the distance.  

Digby, doing what dogs do, aiding the natural fertilisation.  

 This area over the fence in the next area of woodland, at the head of the Natural Spring, forecasts the beauty yet to be revealed further along the tracks.

 In just a few meters, the Spring increases in to a Narrow Brook running over Gravel. Her I have been caught taking a quick snap again. 

 Digby is making his daily paddle along the stream having a drink of the water muddied by himself. On the return walk he travels Up Stream drinking the clean water. He still hasn't worked out what he is doing wrong here.

Looking Left again over the fence, the Bluebells are thickening as we make our way down the hill.

 Last year we originally thought that here, we had found some 'Purple Bluebells' only to discover later that they are in fact Wild Orchids.

 As we near the end of the Woodlands, the intensity of the Bluebells in the Next Woods increases.

 This most intense vista continues into the far distance.

Here and there are patches of Pure White Bells in the distance.  

 As we turn the corner the coverage begins to thin out.

The view down the hill to what I call '  Sequoia Corner ' where Two of the Six Giant Redwoods growing here in these woods are located. 

 Here is 'Yours Truely', failing to avoid a Photo this time, with my trusty 'Excalibur' (Brambles Swisher) in one hand and Morgan Cap in the other.

 Half way down the hill, among the trees, is a large Badger Set and sadly, their nightly play has flattened this whole area of Bells.

Looking back up the same hill past another RSPB Way Marker.

 The scene across the dell past another of the Six Giant Redwoods.

 The RSPB Volunteers cleared this area last year and the Bluebells have taken the opportunity to excel there this year. Sadly the Silver Birch fell across the spot during one of Last Years storms.  

With a shortage of Seating around the woods, Ann & I created this 4 seater early last year out of some logs left lying around. Vandals destroyed it early this year but the logs were still there so we rebuilt it. A Shower Cap, to pop over the seat, needs to be carried to avoid a damp posterior. 

Further up the hill, this little Muntjac Deer spotted us so decided to hide but my limited telephoto just managed to pick him out. Can You?

Then we spotted this patch of not so pure white bells.

The Meadow behind the White Horse Pub contains this little Orchard of Fruit Trees planted by the Conservation Group just over a year ago.

The Village nestling down in the valley.

The same meadow has a large area of Yellow Cowslips which have just come into flow.

The Village Pond in the distance as we head back down the Church Path to the Pub, where their Easter Beer Festival is in Full Swing, but for us it is only our usual coffee and biscuits.

Happy Easter
Frank