Adventures in bluebells

Bluebell season here in Bristol is beginning to wane, just as the wild garlic prepares to take over, which means it's time to re-walk my favourite journeys through bluebells this spring ... 

... although admittedly they were only just beginning to appear when I walked from Huckford viaduct to the Frenchay hill fort at the beginning of the month.

There was, however, a riot of blackthorn on the banks of the Frome, like a punch-up at a white wedding. It was spectacular. 

the hillfort

blackbirds nesting

Snuff Mills, a couple of miles downstream, also hasn't been inundated with bluebells ... 

... but high on the slopes of Wickham Glen there was a lovely display that was well worth the scramble up vertiginous paths. 

And down by the Frome, swans and a little egret.

Look, Mam, it's they flappy hissy things again!

Eastville Park Lake

Further west, on the River Trym, is Badock's Wood, which I always think of as a garlic wood, but it had a decent display of bluebells this spring ... 

... as did the extensive woods at Blaise ... 

... but it was Purdown where we went most often, bathing in that gorgeous purple-blue. (Apologies for the photo-bombing Cwtch, who just can't help herself.) 

Other flowers have been available and they have included, clockwise from top left: hogweed; dead nettles; dandelions and forget-me-nots; wood anemones, celandines and bluebells; cuckoo flowers (or lady's smock); herb Robert; cow parsley; honesty; jack-by-the-hedge; whitethorn; wood speedwell; pink wood anemone and celandines

Fungi

hoggin, some double-sided, and an old bottle

There was a small, non-bluebell-related adventure in Long Wood on Purdown when Cwtch and I discovered a log that was still burning from the previous night, and called the fire service to report it. It was, apparently, a good shout, given there were flames and all. 

Attention now turning to wild garlic and cow parsley and, hopefully, a visit to see some snake's head fritillaries. More anon.