Kings Wood   Click on the image above to view gallery View as a Slideshow

Canterbury Cathedral in the distance

Our earlier “scouting visit” meant that on our second visit we headed straight for an area of coppice where the Bluebells are so dense that if you get down low the sea of blue appears to continue as far as the eye can see. I spent a long time trying out different shots and different lenses on my camera but this is never a problem on a lovely warm sunny spring day when getting down low amongst the bluebells means you also get to enjoy the perfume.
 

King’s Wood itself is a large wood and has a large car park near to Challock, where it’s very easy to see large areas of coppiced Sweet Chestnut woodland close by. At this time of year it understandably gets very busy as many people come out to enjoy the Bluebells just as we do.  We chose to park near to Chilham and walk up the hill to the top of the ridge following the path of the North Downs Way. This route gives us great views of the surrounding downland scenery and also a long distance view of Canterbury Cathedral: probably a similar view that the pilgrims would have had approaching Canterbury to visit the tomb of Thomas Becket in the Cathedral in the 12th century.

This special time of year only lasts a short time, which I think makes it even more special, and each year I think I say they are better this year than last. I don’t know if that is true or not but certainly the warm sunny weather this year has meant the Bluebells in this particular wood have reached a peak very quickly and also sadly that they will be over very quickly too. I think, however, that our second visit was timed perfectly and I hope that the pictures accompanying this journal entry show just what I mean.

19th April visit

26th April vist

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written by Jill Rowland, 04 May, 2009

Wonderful bluebell photos Jill. I think, like me, you managed to time your second visit perfectly. The colour is wonderful and the scent, not competing with wild garlic lol, must have been amazing. Some fabulous shots. Jill

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written by Jill Rowland, 04 May, 2009

PS Your hawthorn is well ahead of ours which is still in tight buds but I agree about the beech leaves which, after a couple of showers of rain and some warm sunshine, have really come on in just a week.

Bluebell Perfection indeed!
written by Andrew Mason, 05 May, 2009

Hi Jill, you've certainly got a great place to visit there! The contrast between the two visits was very noticeable. Things really move on so quickly as Jill R says. The bluebells were well on the way in woods behind Muncaster Mill last week, so Rannerdale should be coming on stream soon too! The Hawthorn in my garden is flowering about now too - always a good show. I wonder if my camera does macro? I didnt get it right last week! Cheers. Andrew

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written by Gary R, 05 May, 2009

Great photo's of the blue bells Jill - loved the 'sea of blue' The one's this far north are out but nothing like those in your photo's, it will probably be a couple of weeks yet.

Kings Wood
written by sherran, 06 May, 2009

Wonderful bluebell pictures Jill. Unfortunately we haven't had time to go on a bluebell walk yet, as we are off this weekend to Ireland I am hoping they will hang on untill we get back,
Take care
Sherran

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