Sheep in the shade

On a walk up to Table Mountain (Crug Hywel) near Crickhowell (see previous post) we passed these sheep in the shade by a gateway in a drystone wall. They took little notice of us, seeming to enjoy the spot they had chosen. As I framed my shot I noticed that beyond was the distant summit of Sugar Loaf.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

Horses in the shade

An afternoon of sun and cloud that involved a little shopping, a cup of coffee and a visit to one medieval and two Victorian churches (the latter of the highest order) should have produced several photographs of which a couple might be suitable for the blog. Alas, we reckoned without the Diocese of Gloucester which, it appears, has a policy of churches remaining closed except for a brief couple of hours on one day. This contrasts with the Diocese of Hereford where, at least in our experience, most churches are once again open to visitors. All was not lost, however, and this view of horses sheltering in the shade was taken from a nearby graveyard.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Trees and shadow

One of the advantages of living in an area with a relatively large amount of tree cover is that having a walk on very hot days can be much more pleasant. In a recent spell of clear skies and high temperatures we were able to plan walks that followed sheltered tracks and woodland. The shade kept the direct sun off us and the trees themselves reduced the overall temperature by a few degrees. The dappled light also threw interesting patterns on the ground. This photograph is of my shadow (wearing a hat - you can't be too careful)!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Woodland bramble

Brambles (also known as blackberries in parts of the UK) are one of the few, widely collected, wild fruits. Pies and crumbles benefit from their taste and colour, as do wines and jams. Anyone who has engaged in this autumn pastime will have noticed that the fruit vary considerably in size and that the largest are usually to be found in a bright, sunny location. This common observation of the variability of brambles is under-pinned by a piece of information that I came across only recently: namely, that in the UK there are approximately 400 recognised microspecies of bramble and probably considerably more. They each differ by one or all of the following: fruiting time, size, texture and taste. The above photograph shows a woodland bramble seeking out light filtering down through the canopy above. When fruit appears on such plants they only rarely compare with plants growing in brightly lit locations.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Sheep in shade

On a walk that took in paths in and around the woodland known as Penyard Park we came upon meadows and fields of maize and wheat. Climbing the stile out of one of the latter we stepped down into a pasture holding a large flock of sheep which, despite the extensive nature of the field, were tightly packed in the shade of a large oak tree. The day was hot and humid with clouds and long periods of sunshine, the sort that invites sitting or laying out of the sun and the sheep were all of that mind. As we approached a few stood up, thinking to get out of our way, so we gave them a wider berth not wishing to spoil their pleasure.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2