Pretty at Penrose

Friday 22nd May, 2015

Hi,

I took myself off for a stroll around Penrose today, I haven’t been for a while. It’s all very pretty with the bluebells still in flower alongside red campion, cow parsley, buttercups and daisies. The foxgloves are just coming into flower now as well.

I’m sure I heard a cuckoo! I had a listen on utube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1WcxRaMmIM) and it’s definitely the same sound. I couldn’t see him anywhere, though he sounded quite close. Then, in the distance I heard an owl twitwooing – something must have woken him from his sleep.

Enjoy!

Rickety xx

Porthleven circular via Penrose (4.5 miles)

It’s very pretty as I walk down into the Penrose Estate through the trees with the bluebells still in flower, and the rhododendron trees ahead sprawling over the pathway.

In the distance that first view of the lake always makes me want to get closer to see what is about.

It’s quiet though – just a few gulls although I get to the seat on the corner and watch as a pair of swans glide into view:

I hear that cuckoo calling and sit and wait in the hope that I’ll catch sight of him, but no luck. Moving on towards Loe Bar the pathway is still lined with bluebells though some foxgloves are just coming into flower:

I love foxgloves don’t you? My Medieval Flower book says that all animals including foxes and rabbits avoid the flowers, but they aren’t poisonous to bees luckily! There was apparently no awareness of their importance in the treatment of heart disease until the late 18th century.

As I’m walking along enjoying the peace I notice a little blue flower crawling up the drystone wall:

I think it’s speedwell – there are several varieties but a quick look at the wild flower book says this is the ivy-leaved one and the Medieval Flower Book says that these flowers, along with the Forget-me-nots signify remembrance and that Henry IV took a tiny blue flower called ‘remember me’ for his emblem.

I’m on the Loe Bar path now heading back towards Porthleven and looking back I see there’s a hazy mist descending:

The cliff top is still lined with those lovely sea pinks, although they’re just starting to lose their colour. I spend some time chasing after a butterfly, trying to capture him on camera – he’s extremely flittery! I just manage although I don’t think the pictures clear enough to identify him:

It may be a Painted Lady, apparently one of the easiest European butterflies to recognise. It’s a summer visitor believe it or not – returning to the Mediterranean with the onset of Autumn. Who would have thought that such a fragile creature could cross the oceans! My butterfly book tells me that when they are feeding on thistle or knapweed they are usually oblivious to the approach of observers and this is the best time to get a good view. Unfortunately – I only had sea pinks for distraction so that’s why I couldn’t get a clear picture obviously!

Leaving the butterfly to his nectar feast I walk on into Porthleven – its a very low tide today: