My left shoulder decided to go on a pain spree at the end of August, since when summer's sloped off and autumn's feet are firmly under the table - at least as far as I can tell from the Settee of Suffering, where I've been stranded for the last two and a half weeks. And since I can't get out and about, I might as well the post the last few photos of our summer walks around the Rivers Frome and Trym in north Bristol ...
... though this is Ashton Court, and not near either, being above the River Avon as it slithers through its gorge to the Severn estuary. You can see from these photos just how dry it's been.
Ancient oaks in the fallow deer park
Good to see what remains of the Domesday Oak still going strong, though.
It's been equally dry up on Purdown, to the north. While we were away on holiday, one of my favourite trees, a large horse chestnut on the edge of Hermitage Wood, dropped a huge branch, much to the consternation of locals on Facebook.
And people picnicking just below Barn Wood were forced to call the fire brigade when they accidentally barbecued a large part of the hillside.
Conkers were falling a month early ...
... and this empty nest box looked like a harvest hamper.
The woods were lovely, dark and deep, though ...
... and my favourite tree on Purdown - this lovely oak - seems to be in good spirits.
There are few flowers about now, but nearby, in Wickham Glen, I found these wild cyclamen growing high above the River Frome.
Because the last time I'd been there was with Ted, our old dog, I decided it was high time I took Cwtch the Collie to see Wickham Court, just in case she ever has to sit any history exams. She was interested to learn it's where Oliver Cromwell held a council of war with General Fairfax in 1645, prior to the Siege of Bristol, and added that although she's far from being a Royalist, the Cavaliers did have the best clothes and her plumy tail being like their plumy hats makes her feel some sort of allegiance to both sides.
From the River Frome to the River Trym/Hazel Brook, a few miles to the west, which we've mostly visited on their respective ways through the Blaise estate.
Blaise Castle
View from Coombe Hill to construction sites at Catbrain and Brabazon
Some lovely big bits of hoggin found in the woods
Hazel Brook
My favourite part of the Blaise estate is Kingsweston Down; in particular, the long earthy paths along its north-western flank that reveal, in glimpses, its previous life as a hill fort.
mallow
The woods are cool and dark in the summer, and are less frequented than other parts of the estate, and there are lots of little meandering paths that take you into the ditches between banks. It's a place of ghosts.
late summer fungi
While my bad shoulder means I'm missing the end of feather hunting season, I have to concede I've probably found enough this year.
tawny owl, green woodpecker, ring-necked parakeet, buzzard, sparrowhawk, jay, crow, great spotted woodpecker, magpie, songthrush
this year's moulted jay coverts
This is the poor dead jay I found in early July, after several weeks spent under a weighted pot in my garden. Now zombie jay. (And yes, that crackling sound is authentic.)
Fox skull from Barn Wood, Purdown
