Walk from the Wyche to the singing Kettle, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire.

I enjoyed a very windy Sunday walk yesterday. It certainly blew away the cobwebs. The plentiful rain we have been experiencing lately means it is very lush and green at the moment. Park at the Wyche church carpark and then walk south along the path furthest away from the church, if you want to follow this walk.

Happy Sheep

Pine cones in the tree canopy

Fox gloves

The pathway

Lovely cows

More lovely cows along the pathway.

Ridge Walk, Malvern, Worcester, Beautiful Flora.

Bluebells in the wood

Unknown wildflower

 Yesterday I walked the West Malvern Ridge walk. This walk goes from the Outdoor Centre, through the farm yard and sheep fields, then along the ancient ridge path through a wood, before coming out at Croft Bank Farm. 

Bluebell detail

It was a delightfully warm day and along the pathway you came across various wild flowers. All our native wild flowers are legally protected, and so you should never pick them as you can be prosecuted. You must leave them so they will continue to thrive and hopefully will be there for generations to come. 

Wild garlic

Pink Orchids

Cowslip, Primula veris

I point this out really as wild orchids are critically endangered because they are so beautiful people steal them to put in their own gardens. This always fail to work as the orchids are such niche and specialist plants that they will not survive in your back garden no matter how carefully you try and replicate their natural home.

Primrose

Euphorbia

Vines

Angelica and some blue flower

Wood view

Holy Isle, just off the Isle of Arran, Scotland

Looking down holy Isle hill

 Holy Isle, in the Firth of Clyde off the west coast of Scotland is a delightful place to visit for the day. It has a population of about 13 and is just out in Lamlash Bay, Arran. It was the site of a cave and holy well that was home of the 13th century Saint Molaise. 

Looking across to Lamlash

The island is now the home to a Buddhist Community and home tp the Centre for World Peace. The island is also a nature reserve, home to the Eriskay ponies, Saanen goats, Soay sheep and the Arran Whitebeam.

One of the Islands painted stones

The visitors centre

Throughout the summer ferries from Lamlash to the island can be taken from about 10am and the final ferry back is about 4pm. Just enough time to walk over the hill and then back along the sea shore taking in the painted stones of Buddhist Gods.

The low path

Another of the Island painted stones. 

Lambs leap in spring sheep fling. Worcestershire.

Sheep enjoying a little spring sunshine

Are you taking my picture ?

This year the extreme weather conditions we have had have devastated many sheep folks. A few sheep have been lost around here, but most are doing okay. I went to check on the lambs I had seen a couple of weeks ago.  

Lovely lambs

They are just so symbolic of spring.

I am sure you will agree my lamb is the prettiest ?

Along with daffodils, primroses and a little bit of warmth, lambs tails wiggling whilst they feed from their mother is adorable.

Save and warm in the lambing barn.

Snow and newborn lambs, Good Friday, Malvern

Although it hasn't snowed now for about four day's, and even though it is sunny and warm enough to go walking in, still their is sun on the ground. Sheep due to give birth, and those with new born lambs really need to be kept inside to keep them warm and safe. These lambs have all just been born in the last few days.

Newborn lambs with their Mum's

Sheep on the Malvern Hills

Sheep on a mission

Last night, our car journey was held up due to sheep in the road. Not as exotic as zebra on the Serengeti or as heroic as the reindeer migrating across the frozen Tundra, the local sheep are allowed to wander freely over the Malvern Hills and wander on mass to wherever the grass is tenderest. Having lived here for many years now it is slowly becoming clear that there is a pattern to where they will be at any given time of the year, though I haven't entirely worked it out.

Hurrah for daffodils

West England Quarry, Malvern Hills

 Used the West of England car park as my starting point today, for my walk on the Malvern Hills.It was rather chilly and icy underfoot, but utterly beautiful. The cows looked wonderful in the mist. I found the mistletoe in this tree particularly lovely.

 Initially it was quite clear and bright and the ice on the gorse bushes and willow herb sparkled like diamonds.

 Then the fog descended. It didn't seem to bother the sheep.

The fir trees however were in a warm dip and not at all icy. The picture of the spiders webs is just from my garden. I just thought they looked incredible