Dewlands common, Verwood.

Dewlands common this afternoon. The clouds were building but fortunately it didn't rain.

Springfield copse, Verwood.

A little evening walk with Phoebe around Springfield copse. They are only Spanish bluebells here but still a pretty place for a short walk and it isn't muddy there at the moment for a change.

Garston wood, Deanland.

A walk in Garston wood this morning. The bluebells are all out now, with lots of primroses, orchids and masses of wild garlic too (that could do with another week before it's all white). This is a lovely place for a wander. Good car park but arrive early or be disappointed at this time of year, it's not huge and soon fills up. The area is wonderful for both flora and birds. It has a network of lovely footpaths. Walk up the hill from the car park but before leaving the woodland you will see a bench and a left turn. Take this path as it's to the left that you will find the bluebells. I always walk along this outer path to reach the other end of the woodland by passing through two gates and ending up near to the road at the far end (The wild garlic end). Now take the next left to head back into the woodland. This is the area with the most bluebells and orchids. Keep right at the next junction of paths and you will pass through the centre of the woodland. This is really beautiful old woodland with lovely oaks. Keep left now to avoid nearing the road or left if not with a dog and you will soon return to your car. Maps are available at the car park.

The Chase, Ringwood Forest, Verwood.

Walking from the Chase in Ringwood forest this morning. Quite muddy from tree cutting to the right of the pylons.

Sallenelles,Ouistreham, near Caen, France.

A walk on the beach at Ouistreham, near Caen. This area is called Sallenelles. Cross the yellow bridge near the ferry terminal and you can park next to the sailing club. This beautiful wild beach is the other side of the lighthouse and accessed between the sailing club boat yard. 
Here you can walk for miles all the way to the river and then down along the river itself,

Vierzon, France

The forest at Vierzon, waking up in the morning.

The forest at Vierzon, France.

A walk in the woods at Vierzon with Phoebe. A great place for good long walks after a day in the car while travelling down through France. There's a good Ibis Styles to stay in nearby too. 

Lots of colour marked routes or stay on the main track. 

Les Capitelles, Courniou-les-Grottes.

Les Capitelles, Courniou-les-Grottes. 1h30. 3.1km. Blue markers, easy. Lovely views, varied and loads of wonderful wild flowers. There is also a lot of history to enjoy as you discover all the wonderful capitelles, stone buildings and beautiful old stone walls. Parking at the Grottes car park on the Voie verte or as we did opposite the old school building on the D612 in Courniou. Opposite the museum building you will find your first blue marker at the bottom of a rather long flight of steps. I think it must be Courniou-les-Grottes answer to Jacob's ladder. The good thing about this walk if you find climbing difficult is that you will find quite a number of seats to enjoy the fine views. At the top of the steps turn left to go quickly up over a steep, rocky area that looks rather like a beautiful rock garden fill with orchids, Pyrenean snakeshead Fritillary and buttercups. Heading up to a right turn you will soon come to a lovely lookout with a stone information board. The views of the mountain scenery is wonderful here, don't leave too quickly, it's such a lovely spot even on a windy, spring day. Now heading back to a little right turn you follow a little path of really beautiful discovery. A little community of lovely capitelles and wonderfully covered stone walls, wrapped in a shawl of mosses and ferns. The path continues through lovely woodland. Here is pine, beech and oak too. Lots more little stone houses and a short diversion to your right to enjoy before heading left and then bearing around a little old stone house and coming back out on a good track. Now you tack a small left turn down to a lovely old stone wall where you turn right and continue to reach the broad track once again. The track through the woodland has it's own delights, so many lovely orchids line the sides as it winds down on a left and then a right turn to reach the village. The walk finally turns back on itself to head back on the voie verte to the parking.