Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Home in time for the bluebells!

Is anything quite so entrancing as a bluebell wood?

Is anything quite so entrancing as a bluebell wood?

The raindrops glisten in the sunshine

The raindrops glistening in the sunshine

My first walk when I returned home was through the bluebell woods at Durham.  I was a little sceptical when I set out.  The skies were dreary and rain hung in the air.  But by some touch of fairy magic, as we parked the car, the sun burst through.  The river sparkled, the sheep munched away happily, and the greatest joy of all – a sea of bluebells as far as the eye could wander.

Dappled shade played over the sign

Dappled shade played over the sign

There’s no sign of the railway these days.  Houghall Discovery Trail lies behind the Pumphouse Restaurant and Houghall College, off the A177 road into Durham.  The link will give you a lovely bit of background information.  The name derives from Heugh-Halh, meaning ‘hill spur- water meadow’.  I hadn’t realised the meaning of Heugh (pronounced Hyuff), yet I should have done because over on Hartlepool Headland we have our very own Heugh, or hill spur.

But let’s get back to the bluebells, shall we?

This is probably my favourite shot

This is probably my favourite shot

I loved the delicate beauty against the bark
A few sheep grazing, behind Houghall College
A stile, of course
And even a bench for Jude (but not for this month's challenge)

And even a bench for Jude (but not for this month’s challenge)

And some leaf patterns on a tree for Meg

And some leaf patterns on a tree, for Meg

And everywhere, that sumptuous carpet of blue

And everywhere, that sumptuous carpet of blue

Speckled with 'sometime' white

Speckled with ‘sometime’ white

I could have made this a Jo’s Monday walk, but I’m starting to stockpile my walks.  Nice to just share a few bluebells with friends.  I hope you have a lovely weekend, and it’s probably not too late to find some bluebells.

But first you should play Six Word Saturday with Cate at Show My Face.  See you Monday!

6wsButton

157 comments

  2. ” … a sea of bluebells as far as the eye could wander.” I love that phrase. We have bluebells here in the Seattle area, but I’ve never seen them in such profusion in the woods. What a delight!

    Like

    Reply

  6. I love a bluebell wood, but always find them so damn difficult to photograph. I can never seem to capture that intense carpet of blue that my eye sees. You have done an excellent job though and I really appreciate the bench. Can I have a little sit there and admire the view?
    Oh, and those white somehings are Greater Stichwort I do believe 😀

    Now where can I find a bluebell wood close by?

    Like

    Reply

    1. Tish was asking the same question this morning 🙂 It’s true- the blue is so intense when you’re in the midst of it but it seems to fade at the sight of a camera. Thanks for the kind words, lovely lady. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    2. I know that feeling of being entranced by a display of wildflowers but having trouble photographing it in a way that conveys the feeling I experienced.

      Do you happen to know the scientific name for your bluebells?

      Like

      Reply

      3. Many thanks, Steve. 🙂 I know this is your sphere of expertise. For me, I’m just spellbound by the loveliness. Cheers for your help 🙂

        Like

      4. Actually I approach the subject more visually than botanically. I’ve been practicing photography since the late 1960s but never even had an introductory botany course in college. I’ve acquired some botanical knowledge over the past 15 years as a consequence of photographing so many plants, but I still feel like I know very little.

        Like

      11. Don’t ask! Immaculate against Isner in the 3rd round then went out to Wawrinka, who played a blinder in the quarters. Nothing to loose now when it comes to the French. He’s down to no. 7 😦

        Like

      14. Never. I don’t like crowds so I avoid anywhere that attracts them. I really prefer looking at gardens on my own, or with someone who does their own thing too. Meg and I got on well like that. Have you been?

        Like

      15. I do know what you mean about crowds- not my thing either, and we always say that you probably see more of Chelsea on TV, but it’s one of those places I’d like to see for myself, just once.

        Like

  8. And PS here in the States, Texas is known for its bluebell season -now! Fields and fields of them as far as the eye can see (because lacking trees means forever views!). My brother lives in Austin so I’ve visited a couple times during ‘the season’.

    Like

    Reply

    2. Greetings from Austin, Sammy D. I’m wondering if you meant bluebonnets

      https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/a-wider-view-of-dense-bluebonnets/

      rather than bluebells (and I see that restlessjo replied to your comment by mentioning bluebonnets).

      We do have two species of wildflowers in Texas called bluebells, both of which are different from the bluebells in Europe, and one of which you can see here:

      https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/a-bluebell-colony/

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Oh yeah! Thanks for the correction!! 😀. I saw Jo’s fields and all I could think of was my Texas spring visits!

        If she oosts a yellow rose, I won’t call it the yellow daffodil of Texas!

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Jo, these are – bar none – some if the most exquisite photos I’ve ever seen. If ever there was a visual of fairies’ homes, this is it. I am so glad you included that map. Every map is a work of art, not to mention good for orienting. As I delve into my mapping posts, I realize blogs like yours and Jude’s would be much more meaningful if I could pinpoint your sojourns. Just yesterday I purchased a map if the UK; now I need to find a goid one for Portugal and Poland and wherever you are headed next 😉

    Like

    Reply

      1. Yeah, I use Google Earth to find some WOW stuff, but for tracking you and Jude, I get more personal ‘juice’ from paper maps. I guess it’s like the difference between Kindle and books. My emotional connections come through touch far more readily than through a screen.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Are there bluebell woods in Poland? This one is indeed enchanting: I’dlike a stroll there – tomorrow. Worn out today. Your final photo is a special one too, backgrounding bluebells and foregrounding daisies – a nice narrative twist.

    And you are the most satisfying blogging interlocutor. You read so thoroughly and you notice the obsessions of your blogging friends, even though I haven’t made a huge feature of leaf patterns (have I?) Thank you for that gift.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I don’t know if there are, Meg. They’re a different kind of woods in Poland. At Belchatow we were surrounded by them- mostly pine- and I don’t recall seeing any bluebells. I thought you would like the bark and tree patterns. Have you been chasing twins? 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. A cold late in season is not fun at all, especially when the cold winter months have long past. Hope 100% strength gathers and returns quickly for you.

        Like

  16. Wow!!! That is quite a homecoming celebration, Jo. Thanks for sharing this amazing display of natural beauty.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.