We took a steep path down from the Visitors Centre to the River Severn to where a bridge crosses the River and carries on towards Park Halt, a small halt (station) on the Severn Valley Railway.
We didn't cross the river, instead deciding to take a left turn and follow the river for a while. This takes you past a picnicking area and then into some woods called Hallclose Coppice.
The Coppice is full of old Oak trees and interesting plants associated with ancient woodland and there is at least one waterfall.
There were lots of ferns but I'm not quite there yet with my plants to take a stab at these. I'd love to go back and spend more time looking at them as I really didn't get to stop for long enough! Although if the weather stays like it is the whole place could end up under several feet of water and we'll all be getting around by boat a la Kevin Costner's Waterworld.
On some well drained gravel waste ground I found some Herb Robert and also some Common Stork's-bill.
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| Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) |
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| Common Stork's-bill (Erodicum cicutarium) |
Herb Robert is quite a common weed of waste ground and I have some growing in my front garden.
Along the river bank there was some pretty Red Campion which also looked decidedly pink (I can see a theme developing here)!
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| Red Campion (Silene dioica) |
For those of you that don't like the colour pink we also found some Ramsons/wild garlic and Bugle in the coppice.
Ramsons are apparently very nice in salads and various over dishes but I can't say that I've tried them myself. I'd rather leave them in place for others to enjoy.
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| Ramsons (Allium ursinum) |
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| Bugle (Ajuga reptans) |
This is really wonderful place. You must enjoy stay there. Nice post.
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