October Woods

[puddleshark]

Set off along Ackling Dyke, a path which was once the Roman road running from Sorviodunum (Old Sarum) to Vindocladia (Badbury Rings).


Across the ford, still dry even now in late October, the Crichel Stream nothing but stones.


Mistletoe trees.


Ackling Dyke heads into the woods.


Hips and haws in the hedges.


I wandered into Chetterwood.



I sat on a mossy log beneath sunlit beeches, to drink coffee from a flask, but not so ensnared by beauty that I forgot to carefully note first the landmarks that had led me to that point. Just because you find your way into Chetterwood does not necessarily mean that you will find your way out. Because Chetterwood is full of paths, paths leading in all directions, and no guarantee that any path will take you where you mean to go.





I wandered on a little further, to where the beech woods changed to conifer woods, hoping to find the place marked on my map as Six Ways Cross. But there were so many places in the woods where ways crossed, I have no idea whether I found it or not.





I meant to take the bridleway that came out at Manswood Farm. Was instead lured onto a beautiful silent path through the conifers:



But it didn't play too many tricks on me, just brought me out by the same path I had used to enter the woods.


Hello, again, beeches.

Found my way out of the woods, the same way I came in, and retraced my steps along the lanes, and along Ackling Dyke.


The wind getting up, stirring the branches of the lime trees by the ford.


Red Kite soaring over the old Roman road of Ackling Dyke. Not so long ago, Red Kites were nearly extinct in this country, just a small population holding on in remote areas of West Wales. But now they are no longer persecuted, they have staged a remarkable comeback, and are becoming a common sight in Dorset.

Comments

[violsva]

Lovely!

(We don't have mistletoe in Canada, so when I see trees with big clumps of leaves like that they're usually squirrel nests!)

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

I don't often come across mistletoe on my walks - it's more common in apple orchards in this country - so I spent a few moments wondering what on earth those strange growths were before I figured it out. 😊

[ranunculus]

What a lovely walk!

[puddleshark]

Yes. It is such a beautiful area to go walking, and the weather couldn't have been kinder.

[orbble]

Beautiful views and photographs!

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

It is such a lovely area to go exploring.

[full_metal_ox]

Just because you find your way into Chetterwood does not necessarily mean that you will find your way out. Because Chetterwood is full of paths, paths leading in all directions, and no guarantee that any path will take you where you mean to go.

You write in folktale prompts equal to the territory you inhabit.

[puddleshark]

:-)

It actually took me three attempts to find my way into Chetterwood. On the first two tries, I ended up somewhere unexpected. So it was quite a relief to find my out on my first attempt. 😊

[linky]

Stunning photos!!

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

[chestnut_pod]

Gorgeous!

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

[death_beat]

Beautiful.

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

[casket]

gorgeous!

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

[pameladean]

Oh, the beech trees! In the US we have them in the east, but Minnesota is still waiting for them to make their way back after the glaciers retreated. They don't propagate very fast. There's a youngish imported one in a park nearby that we visit periodically.

That was a lovely series of photos altogether, but I am very happy to see the beeches in particular.

P.

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

I don't think Chetterwood is wild wood. From the mix of trees, it was probably planted by a local landowner in the 19th century. But the beeches are just glorious at this time of year - that mix of bright leaves and graceful branches. So beautiful.

[semielliptical]

What beautiful paths! Thanks for sharing your ramble.

[puddleshark]

You're welcome!

It is such a lovely area to go exploring - so many quiet footpaths and bridleways.

[shirebound]

Middle-earth! These shots are really special.

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

[yourlibrarian]

What good news about the Red Kites! The shots of all the trees are wonderful, beautiful sights.

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

I still get such a thrill whenever I see a Red Kite. Their recovery has been amazing.

[vriddy]

The pictures of the woods are absolutely fantastic, wow!! 😍 Thank you so much for sharing!

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

[sparowe]

Very badly needed this walk this morning, thank you. :)

[puddleshark]

You're welcome!

[kazzy_cee]

We see Red Kites here in the North of Kent too. They are spectacular birds, and I'm so glad they are still around. I love that first photo - so pretty with the light.

[puddleshark]

Thank you!

I knew that Red Kites were expanding their range, but to see them back in Dorset now, four or five of them at a time soaring over the local hills - it feels almost like a miracle. 😊

[pilottttt]

What forests, what landscapes! You have a very beautiful nature there.

Untangling the maze of forest trails is a very exciting activity. Sometimes it leads you to something completely unexpected.

[puddleshark]

It is such a beautiful place to go exploring, the Vale of Allen.

Yes, there is a peculiar joy in untangling those forest paths, never quite knowing where you will end up.

[silveradept]

It looks like a lovely place to get lost in, and to have some very nice sights while you're doing so. Perhaps one of those paths leads to where the Fair Folk are picnicking.

[puddleshark]

I wouldn't be at all surprised. It is one of those woods that seems small on a map, but is strangely huge when you wander inside... 😊