Friday 23 May 2008

And it's all free..............!

10 REASONS FOR WALKING ON BLACKA THIS BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND


This marvellous time of year is too special to spend more than a minute or two in a car. Blacka is always interesting but it's at its best just now. So here's what you will be missing if you drive past to some Peak District car park along with thousands of others.

1 Rowan and Hawthorn are in flower setting off the fresh new greenery with a beautiful range of creams and whites.

2 The lush almost outrageous growth of Bilberry is stunningly covered with thousands of tiny red lantern-like flowers prettily complemented with Crowberry, also in flower. Nowhere in Derbyshire matches this display.


3 The informal walkers' paths are superb underfoot meandering through young trees and opening out new views constantly. Go slowly and stay quiet; a young deer may be browsing ahead. And no fears of SWT's cattle polluting the paths. They're not here yet, at least not by 8.30 this morning.


4 Listen to the gorgeous singing of the warblers turning each group of trees into a concert hall. Willow Warblers are deliciously sweet and Blackcaps are virtuosi of tone and improvisation. And this is a musical feast only available for a few short weeks.


5 Look for Britain's largest wild mammal the red deer, some of them in new velvet antlers. See the tracks they make in the dead last year's growth of bracken and occasionally their small black droppings giving away their presence.


6 Hear the cuckoo - singing and often to be seen. (Every morning this week.)


7 Save your money when fuel prices are rocketing. Blacka is accessible on foot and by bus. And save your personal energy by walking slowly - you see more that way.


8 Hares in the pasture, an area not so often visited. Also skylarks singing. And if you like young lambs..........


9 More flowers: bluebells still around and cotton grass adding its odd character to the mix of scenic effects.



10 Stonechats clicking at you like the sound of two pebbles when you approach

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