Third Time Lucky

After a false start when Jamie's gallstones grumbled again, I finally made it out into the countryside this afternoon.   It's a bit early for the chalk downland wildflowers and the cool wind would dampen down butterfly activity so I headed to Ashley Wood where the Bluebells were almost at their best.  Plenty of butterflies in the sheltered rides, Brimstones, Orange Tips and Peacocks especially, mostly very active in the warm sunshine.  A couple of extra pics nonetheless.    I only found one Early Purple Orchid, the cool, dry spring will have held them back and this one was only in bud.

I struck lucky at Corfe Mullen meadows where the main picture was taken.   Most of the many Green Winged Orchids there will not flower for another few weeks but a small number of individuals at the top of the site were looking good if slightly dwarfed by the cold dry conditions.   Returning to the farm I've mostly just dozed in the sunshine but was very pleased to see that Jamie and Aaron's project to make dog agility jumps from push-together drain pipes had been most successful :-)

Still tired after the busy week, I've got a couple more days to recharge before we head back to Wales next week.  The weather has been fantastic making it a great trip despite our tribulations.