Approaching the height of summer

It is two weeks since my last patrol, but by the growth of everything, it might be six months. The undergrowth has taken a spurt. The bluebells are fast being overtaken by grass and bracken fronds which are uncurling, stretching and straightening skywards. There can surely only be a few weeks of growth energy to be expended before July begins its journey towards autumn.

The deer have begun to give birth and a few bambi types are to be seen, to the careful eye, in the hollows of the lower parkland. The heronry clatters with young and parental fuss. Birds, now well hidden by greenery, continue to sing and the sky is streaked with streamlined swifts and the sound of ascending skylarks. I was delighted to observe one skylark parachuting down, its wings holding an anhedral position, almost a Harrier jet like angle, tail spread as it descended in stages to the ground.

The gardens are especially expectant. The end of May brings about the rhododendron festival. We spent half an hour in the garden, with Ian wanting to spot a spotted flycatcher. He was joined by Mick, while I wandered off to enjoy the colour and heady scent of the azaleas. Ian got not one but two spotted flycatchers, which prompted me to say that surely they were now just flycatchers, having been spotted...........

I spent some time last week at Savill Gardens, near Virginia Water, and their rhododendrons are being enjoyed in their full splendour. The gardens here are a little behind, but the buds are ready to blast out their delicate and colourful flowers.


But for me, the azaleas strong, seductive perfume is irresistible.
I remember visiting the gardens at Easter, 2008, and found this space of colour and scent sensation a wonder. It is now back to that form.

Work has begun at the Serpentine Bridge, with scaffolding being erected to the south side. Once this structure is clear of all civil engineering protection, giving pedestrian visitors a clear walk up to the house, the better. Such is the historical nature of the place, that work has to be carried out according to guide lines set out by English Heritage. Certain constructional ways have to be followed. Well, as far as the type of cement mix is concerned. I noticed the scaffolding was definitely 21st century - as was the language of the scaffolders.


My next patrol will not be until the middle of June, and then, not again until the first week of July. Perhaps a good thing from a personal point of view. The changes in the landscape will be, I hope, quite noticeable.