A grey and breezy start to the day, though even on a dull day, walking up along Tasker’s Path, my spirits lifted by the glorious tones of hedgerow plants, from glossy Blackberries, translucent red Honeysuckle berries, a silver mesh of Old Man’s Beard flowers, bright red Dog Rose hips and the more muted red of Hawthorn.
A pair of Roe Deer pause their grazing to stare at me across the meadow, completely still except for their slowly turning heads.
Leaves are also starting to turn, with Horse Chestnut in particular showing some spectacular shades of sulphur-yellow. White Poplar flashes silver as the wind stirs the leaves to reveal the underside which gives the tree it’s name.
A close inspection of the short downland turf still reveals plenty of flowers to enjoy. Tiny Bastard Toadflax (or Stars in Grass) flows across the sward in the Saxon Field, with the intricately patterned flowers of Eyebright also in bloom nearby, along with Ox-eye Daisies (a little later in this sheltered hollow), Wild Thyme, Ladies Bedstraw, Centaury and Yellow-wort to name just a few. Carline Thistles, like little Art Deco sculptures dot the grass, through faded from shades of gleaming gold to a duller brass.
Nearby, a Badger ‘latrine’ is full of bright purple poo, as the gorge on the plentiful crop of Blackberries and Sloes.
Along the Clifftop, a Raven ‘cronks’ as it flaps overhead, with several Gannets passing by – their feathers brilliant white against the grey sea. Purple Sea Aster is in bloom along the path, with Goldfinches ‘jangling’ from the scrub above me as they work their way along in search of food.
No sign of the Bluefin Tuna – seen again yesterday afternoon after a couple of sightings earlier this week – do let us know if you spot any!