At this time of year from a good vantage point the view is like a vast sea of green. Every shade of green that you can imagine. Around the edges of the heathland there are quite large areas of woodland, made up of both evergreen conifers and broad leafed trees like Horse Chestnut, Beech, Maple and the inevitable Silver Birch. Together they produce this wonderful shimmer of green. Climbing high enough to be above the canopy is truly worth the effort

Just another example of all the shades of green seen from a distance. The main paths on Canford Heath are mostly sandy so it does dry out fairly quickly, but everywhere you go on the lower ground you will find odd streams and pools from the water that runs from the many hills. At this time of year, May, the sound of bird song is broken by the trickle of the many streams and the screech, of green woodpeckers and rat-at-tat-tat of the greater spotted woodpecker from far in the woods.

This is just another picture seen from an area of high ground showing Canford Magna in the distance, but more importantly nestled in the trees, and ,marked with the red arrow, is my Dream House....It boasts not only the woodland vista but a wild garden, and a wonderful collection of splendid Rhododendron...a house I would love to own...

A rather blurry picture taken more for the pretty skyline than anything. Excuse the insignificant foreground of pine trees.The Hills in the background in the blue haze are the Purbeck Hills. No idea how the sky got that lovely colour, I think it compliments my favourite hills beautifully, it is just as I saw it.

This is a picture that hits you as you leave the Heath and return to civilization. An avenue of Beech trees, and through this avenue runs a crystal clear stream. Constantly on the move and used by all dog owners to remove the dirt and grime from their pets, at the end of the walk. Pickles just loves to lie down in it, and quench her thirst.

Just one of the many views of the newly opened heathland. The only sensible direction from here, is straight ahead. I will probably need the pruners I have in my backpack to trim the gorse. Pickles might find it tough going on her paws without them. My trusty thumbstick will be more than useful.

This area is mostly scrubland. Beyond that an area of marshland, easily distinguished by the cream grasses.At one time there would have been more trees, now just the stumps remain, cut down many moons ago. I love the way the skeletons of the silver birches make filigree patterns.

A rather dark picture (I was photographing into the sun) of one of the many lakes on this newly re-opened area of Heath. The trees behind a little reminiscent to me of the woods in the Hobbit. Despite the temperature, only the strong breeze had stopped it icing over, Pickles needed no prompting, she was in that freezing water in one leap, prancing for a stick. Brrrrrrr!

There is still a vast area of the heath that I have not explored yet, and I still haven't found the Folly (A non-functional but decorative and usually romantic garden structure, such as an artificial ruin, a popular feature of grand 18th-century estate gardens)I was promised. I did find what can only be the remains of an old building, a tied cottage I thought, since this whole area was part of a huge private estate. Here is a picture of that fallen wall, hardly recognisable. There are fragments of old bricks and part of a frame, but the moss and birch saplings have almost obscured the lot. I will have to keep looking.

The same stream, but now in the much frequented part of the Heath. I have forgotten the number of times I played "Pooh sticks" with my children at this little bridge, and now my grand-children are doing the same. From here it gradually dwindles to nothing, and is replaced by a major trunk road at it's end....

My last picture from this last 'trek'. This is the route home for me. Just another half mile and I will be there.