May along the Line

In the late afternoon, Grey Granite and Rufus walked along the line to the point where the Water of Philorth flows under the track and towards the castle woods. It was very cold and there was a stiff breeze so the Philorth woods provided welcome shelter. Rufus was fascinated by lambs and calves in the fields (Stern, 'don't ever even think of chasing those' lectures) and by a tractor slowly rolling a field. In sunnier spots in the woods the wild garlic is just opening and the two huge horse chestnut trees that we have found so far both now have their leaves open. There are green flower 'candles' on a few chestnut branches, almost the same fresh green as the beautiful leaves. There was an elegant cock pheasant in the woods, conspicuous by his copper plumage. At the side of the track near the Golf Club delicate heartsease pansies are suddenly in flower. At The Dunes a large heap of sand has been colonised by doves foot cranesbill. The heap must be only a few months old but is almost completely covered by this rapidly colonising geranium.