The bluebells in Wingate Wood seldom fail to delight, although perhaps not in quite such profusion as in previous years...
Sadly. our enjoyment of this local spectacle is now somewhat tainted by the knowledge that our oh-so-caring, sharing local vineyard is now aware of this annual phenomenon and is looking to capitalise on it.
Such is their local depth of knowledge and love of our (now their) countryside however, that they were advertising (via Eventbrite) a "bluebell walk in 'our' woodlands and subsequent wine tasting event on the Silverhand Estate", scheduled to be held at the beginning of April.
Needless to say, this was a full month or so before the bluebells actually flower. A predictable lack of bluebells was undoubtedly a contributing factor leading to the event being cancelled!
Vineyard Farms have nevertheless still been busy, chopping down trees along what was once a pleasant wooded path through Stonyfield Woods...
Doubtless this is all part of their mysterious "estate-wide" strategy, as mentioned in passing in their winery planning application, which will almost certainly be approved soon. One wonders if the Stonyfield path has been widened to allow the vineyard folks better mechanised access to this area for further "enhancements".
If their behaviour at Upper Bush is any guide, one might expect soil and spoil to be dumped along the edges of this newly-widened path and the bluebells to be fenced off for the sole benefit of the vineyard's paying customers, so enjoy the bluebells while you can.
Further down the track from the bluebell woods, a few early purple orchids were competing with the bluebells...
Perhaps I shouldn't mention them, in case Vineyard Farms start advertising "orchid walks and wine tasting" events.
To be held in January...
