Large areas of this part were severely damaged by fires, slowly the gorse and the heather are regenerating.
Still a bit of a climb before we reach the top. It is warm and sunny up here today. Can you smell that fresh air?
Nearly there. In the distance you can see the tops of the Purbeck Hills. Another of our favourite walks. The Coastal Walk of the Jurassic Cliffs of Kimmeridge and beyond. Believe me it is breathtaking.
Almost to the top. Not many people bother to come this far and so the path is pretty overgrown these days. John and I are used to this. I wish my pictures could convey just how high up we really are. I couldn't tell you exactly how high it is from the road. Such a shame the Electricity Pylons are so much in evidence from here. detracts from the peacefulness. There is barely a sound up here except the trickle of water from the many little riverlets that have appeared because of the amount of rain we have had lately. I can vouch for that, my hiking boots are sodden. This is a favourite place to see merlin and kestral, but sadly, not today. The deer were too quick for me as well. I love this place. It has a tranquility that I can find no place else. Lucy and I used to come here every day in all weathers. It is a place to ease your soul.
As near to the top as we are going today. We want to see what wild life we can see. There have been deer here, too fast for me, we caught a glimpse of their white behinds disappearing into the distance. Deep breath of the cleanest sweetest air. Faint tang of bracken and peat.....years and years of leaf decay. Just wonderful!
On the way down again. If you look carefully you can see the Exmoor ponies grazing down below. Not a native species, but from Devon, imported along with Devon Reds, a kind of cattle, to help with conservation. They do a great job of trimming the gorse. There have also been goats and sheep used for the same purpose. The ponies are placid creatures that adore peppermints. John and I have seen quite a few horsemen and women today. Taking advantage of the weather. I has been glorious. I hope you enjoyed our little walk. We were walking for 3 hours today. Ate our lunch at the top, surrounded by Nature....She is good
Today is the 22nd April 2003 and the view has changed a bit, more greenery, and many of the places burnt in fires of 2002 have now regenerated new growth.
A new addition to the Heath, New Forest ponies. As you can see they are well fed, if a little unkempt.
Looking over the tree tops, the new green of the trees very evident. In the distance the remains of a land fill sight, now almost disguised by grass and other plants. Soon no one will remember what an eye-sore it was.
Two of my friends, soon they will hear me whistle and come for their customary carrot.
Bare trees looking almost stately. I heard a spotted woodpecker and came to see. He was well hidden.
Two rescued donkeys. They are quite old and have lived here for many years.
Another friend, this time Ruby is not interested in carrots.
View across Heath with trees in new growth, and an unaccustomed area of grassland. Perfect place for a picnic. Then time to go home.
Two pictures showing just how Nature displays her wonderful way of matching colours, here the purple heather and a self seeded Buddleia.
The first picture shows one of the many man-made lakes on Canford Heath, providing a great wild life habitat. The second is a picture of Pickles making sure I am still following...
Above are some examples of the amazing number of Fungi that can be found on Canford Heath from September.
A picture taken today on Upton Heath, an Extension of Canford Heath. Pickles is just out of shot, but I have shown her in inset.
Another Picture taken on Upton Heath, this time in the woods, mossy banks lead to the Lake, shown in the previous picture. Pickles is hidden among the trees, but I show her again in inset.
Above are just two of the many ponies now grazing regularly on Upton Heath. They seem to live in perfect harmony with the small very shaggy black cattle that also roam freely. The Ponies are no more that 13 hands high. Not sure of the breed of cattle but they have taken over from the larger Devon Reds that used to live here...
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Updated ... May, 2005