Above Upper Hill

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 02 May 2023
  • 1254 reads
16 comments
 

(20/4/23)

Just a little time to go out, and a beautiful day
before the rain returns tomorrow.
Quick look at map, and find a suggestion –
up the hill from a village a couple of miles away.
We’ve walked the other side but not investigated this side.
Sky so blue, so large, with white clouds (fluffy UFOs!)
Short ascent and then gentle valleys and risings all around:
just us and the birds.
A soggy dip to our left has bright yellow flowers shining in the sun -
are they marsh marigolds? Yes, so beautiful.
Found the last part to return to a drive leading to the parked car 
was in a little cutting by a stream, very soggy,
Suddenly saw many large yellow flowers,
looked like an arum with large yellow spathes.
On getting home couldn’t find them in the books,
until a google search revealed the invasive species
American skunk cabbages, which they are trying to eradicate.

Certificate U
Poem
Countryside explorations
Nature
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by marandina on

Fluffy UFOs! Another beautiful ramble with you, Rhiannon. American skunk cabbages sound sinister. Lovely pics too. Paul :) 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

thanks, Paul. Glad you enjoyed. The skunk cabbages weren't smelling badly, so presumably weren't quite 'ripe', but I should think nearby houses will smell them then! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Sounds like you had a perfect day out for a walk Rhiannon. I too liked the idea of the UFO clouds. We were up on the Ridgeway last Wednesday and your poem reminded me of the peace and tranquility of that day, with just the birds singing, we too were completely alone and could see nobody for miles.

Thank you for sharing. I liked the photos too.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. There is so much peaceful countryside around, and we apppreaciate the sunny days too! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Lovely descriptions and images, don't know skunk cabbage but sounds awesome. More rain to come so you picked a good day.

I'm waiting for the bluebells in our nearby woods.

Lindy

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. We haven't been out yet to really see the bluebells in their flood yet this year, I think we should do so soon! Where do you live? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Hi Rhiannon

We live in the Midlands, not far from Birmingham x

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Oh, not far then, we are in Herefordshire. For some reason I thought you were in America! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Love Herefordshire, one of my favourite counties.

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

Could hear you reading this. Some charming images. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Mark. Glad you enjoed. Rhiannon7

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

And thank your for the cherries. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

HI :Rhiannon

Thanks for taking me on a walk with you  I think I remember skunk cabbages as being rather pretty - as so often are things that they are trying to get rid of.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. Yes, our first thought was that there were huge nice yellow tulips ahead, in such a wild place! Quite a contrast to the weeds around. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

"Short ascent and then gentle valleys and risings all around:
just us and the birds" loved going on your wonderful walk, thankyou!

I remember those skunk cabbages being for sale years ago but have never seen one growing anywhere. The problem is I guess that because they are so tough they are advertised as being good for problem areas like shade, but they would much rather not be in a problem area and spread out very quickly. They sound so sinister, I hope if you go back in five years everything is not skunk cabbage!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the change of scenery!

Yes, it;s like the rhodedendron can be so beautiful in special gardens, but they seem to so easily take over natural mixed habitats. Rhiannon