2008
07
MAY
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Bluebells at Ashridge Forest, Hertfordshire |
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
Ashridge Forest | - Click on the image above to view gallery
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 Bluebells carpet the ground in Dockey Wood Although I love to walk in my local woods I decided it was time I went to find other places to find bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and I had heard that the displays of bluebells at Ashridge forest in Hertfordshire are well worth seeing. I organised a trip so I could be close and didn’t have too far to travel in the morning. I arrived at the main car park at the visitor centre on the estate which is looked after by the National Trust at around 9am and got talking to some regular visitors in the car park who directed me to a wood near Ringshall as being the best place to see the bluebells. I always find local knowledge by far the best way of finding out about a place and dog walkers are always worth asking.
I also wanted to have a walk in the main part of the forest too so I set out to do this first and really enjoyed the walk through the mature trees following the main footpath that eventually leads to Ivinghoe Beacon. The day was very hot though and carrying a heavy back pack full of camera gear I really didn’t feel like walking too far plus what I was really after finding was some bluebells. I did eventually find a beautiful area with plenty of bluebells beneath mature Beech trees where I sat for some time just taking it all in and eating my lunch and I didn’t think it could get much better.
 Me enjoying the view from the viewing chair at Dockey Woods How wrong I was though as when I went later in day to a place called Dockey Woods. I don’t think I’ve ever seen bluebells quite like it before. In hindsight I should have gone to this place earlier in the day when it might not have been so busy with plenty of people enjoying the wonderful springtime spectacle. I usually like to visit places like this on my own but on this occasion seeing so many people and families enjoying the place was a delight to see. I can fully understand why so many people flock to this place. One thing I had never seen before was a ladder and seat set up for you to climb so you can get pictures of a very different view. Of course I had to have a go and I also got someone passing to take a picture of me too. One thing that was obvious to me when I looked at the pictures from the day was that at times the shutter speeds were very slow and some pictures show a definite blur effect which I actually quite like for a change for one or two pictures. But without using a tripod or similar to keep the camera still, most of the shots would have been totally useless. When I was up high on the chair I actually rested the camera on one of the arms of the chair for extra support. One other thing that I always think is important when looking at bluebells is simply that the sun is shining. I know the colours are said to be richer in overcast light but for me a bluebell wood comes alive when the sun shines.  Bluebells in shade  Bluebells with a little sunlight To give some indication just how popular this place is there was an ice cream van in the car park which was doing a very good trade and I can’t deny I enjoyed a 99 complete with flake before I set off on my journey home. I had procrastinated long enough and the M25 was my destination on route for home a far cry from the wonderful day I had enjoyed.
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Keep up the good work
Cheers
Chris