Great Chalfield Manor

I used to cycle this way as a child, sandwiches and water stowed away in the tartan stow-away over my back wheel, to paddle in the nearby brook.  Strangely, I had never actually been into the grounds or the main building of this mansion, so it was great to actually see the place properly last week.

Local art group

Built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, this place was once left to ruin as a local farmer who had bought the estate simply wanted the land, not the building.  

Mind you, it must take some keeping up; the gardens are wonderful.

I was lucky enough to be invited in the house, tours are taken every hour and are constructed around the main part of the building; the other part still being inhabited by the family.

Despite all the media talk of living in lawless times, it seems we have never had it so good!  Certainly Elizabethan times were not a safe time to be around.  I don't know of a bed which id made with a hole in the top for valuables so thieves have to climb over a sleeper today!

Special doors, peep-holes and listening masks feature heavily in this building.  Great to see now, but not so good if they must be used.

For me, the finishing touch was the pretty church and this fabulous window.  It really sums the place up.  Magic.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-greatchalfieldmanor

The happiness flower

How wonderful to see these joyful little flowers in the woodland once more.

St. John’s Wort is not just a pretty flower; it also has anti-depressant qualities and is often sold as a supplement for those feeling blue.  Also an expectorant, diuretic, and sedative, is there no end to this flower’s power?

Culpepper’s Herbal state ‘A tincture of the flowers in a spirit of wine, is commended against the melancholy and madness’!

I think just looking at the delicate yellow starry flowers are enough to lift the spirits.

Avebury

Avebury is a great place to visit not more than 25 minute's drive from Farleigh Wood.

In my humble opinion, it beats it's famous sister, Stone Henge, simply as it is more accessible, has more to see and walk round, and has a village plonked right in the middle!  (I know, it wouldn't be allowed nowadays).

What could be more English?

Assuming the weather is good, of course.

Horse Chestnut leaf miner

This must be the fourth year in a row I have noticed the leaves on our beloved Horse Chestnut trees turning a russet brown toward the end of June.   It is a phenomena moving up from the south and after speaking to a man staying in the caravan paddock hailing from Nottinghamshire last year, I am under the impression this is new.  Apparently the midlands and north of the country have not yet suffered this blight.

My worry is that deprived of chlorophyll, these majestic trees will slowly starve.  Often used along parks and roads in residential areas for their beautiful flowers and conkers in autumn, I fear many will be cut down by Councils; worried of passers by being coshed with falling branches as these huge creatures decay. 

There is one ray of hope; a parasitic wasp which lays its larvae on the miner.  My only hope is the wasps’ numbers soon catch up enough to stem the premature russet tide.   It would be such a shame to lose a tree which for me hold so many fond childhood memories of playground games (conkers), making ridiculously clunky necklaces (only to be worn by the bull-necked of us) and playing marbles (OK, the conkers are not truly spherical but that is half the fun).

The woodland deer and other wild animals might find it difficult in winter too as I know they like to eat these shiny brown fruits, poisonous to humans but a tasty treat for them.

Here is an official forestry site if you want to know more..http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-68JJRC

Blooming Bath

Bath Asparagus.  How blessed we are here in the West Country to have such a locally abundant herb (yet globally extremely rare plant) grow in the hedgerows around Bath, verges of roads and in Farleigh Wood?

As with many things in seeming abundance, I had not paid much attention to these spikes of buttery stars before seeing one growing at the bottom of our garden here at Wood Cottage.  Further investigation showed how rare on a world scale this plant actually is and so it is with a ridiculous level of excitement that I see them every June, and thank my lucky Bath Asparagus stars that they sprout with such vigour.

Just messing about by the water

This year has seen our regulars to the lake increase in number as word has spread.  Not having sign-posted the lake well from the lane (we don't want folk just wandering up into the wood

 as it is nice to keep it private) we have found word of mouth has done the trick.  It has meant only serious anglers have turned up and they take care of the place, relishing the peace and quiet of Farleigh Wood.  Perfect.  

If you are interested in taking a day fishing, the price is £ 5.00.  There are no rules posted - just use your common sense and take care of the place - that's all we ask!