Home in time for the bluebells!

Is anything quite so entrancing as a bluebell wood?

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

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

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 some leaf patterns on a tree, for Meg

And everywhere, that sumptuous carpet of blue

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!