Offa's Dyke near Monmouth

Offa's Dyke is an 82 mile long earthwork, incorporating a ditch, that stretches along the border between England and Wales. It is thought to have been built for King Offa who was the Anglo-Saxon king of Mercia 757AD-796AD, though recent research suggest part of it may date from the early 5th century, about the time the Romans departed Britain. The dyke varies in depth and width. A long-distance footpath, the Offa's Dyke Path, is 177 miles long and incorporates about 60 miles of the earth work. The photograph shows a deep section near the town of Monmouth with a footbridge inserted to take the path over the dyke.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: iPhone

Ancient hay rake

We came upon this ancient hay rake next to a collapsing timber-framed barn in an old orchard. It was barely visible in the long grass, weeds and branches but the shape of a steel wheel caught my eye and I began to decipher the other parts. I say it is an old hay rake, the sort that was pulled by a horse or tractor to turn hay to dry and put it into lines prior to the baler doing its work - but I may be wrong.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Oak Meadow, Ross on Wye

In the centre of the view from The Prospect in Ross on Wye is Oak Meadow, a big field that fills much of a large meander of the River Wye. It is named after the old oak tree at its centre, presumably planted as shade for farm animals that used the field. Photographs of the field taken in 1886 show the "rare old oak" and local attempts to age the now split and partly hollow tree are many. It has been called the "Domesday Oak" suggesting it dates from around 1087 when the Domesday Book was compiled. Attempts to link it to the time of Elizabeth I or Henry VIII suggest an age of 500 or 600 years. All this is speculation without the support of dendrochronology. As we looked out from The Prospect recently we noticed the farmer taking what appears to be the first steps in erecting fencing around the oak, as protection from animals and farm vehicles perhaps, steps that will help ensure it continues for many more years.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

The Linton Yew

Yew trees are capable of living to a great age and are notoriously difficult to date with precision. However, several in the UK are recognised to be over 1,000 years old, and the oldest example in the churchyard at Linton, Herefordshire, is thought to be 1,500 years old. That makes it a contender for the UK's oldest tree. It is a female specimen and is accompanied by three more old yews in the churchyard.

Like many such yews the Linton tree is hollow and yet continues to thrive, though some branches require a little support. Hereford has a number of ancient trees and a tree of similar age to the Linton example can be seen in the churchyard of  nearby Much Marcle. This also has a hollow centre which for centuries has contained a bench capable of seating several people.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2