WALKING
GETTING FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD IN HARDY’S DORSET By Rachel Woods
On a hot and sticky Sunday in July we were looking for somewhere shady and cooler to go with the dogs. A first outing for our rescue puppy, Meg. A quick look at Google maps for Dorset woodlands and we selected Thorncombe Woods. I cannot believe I have never come here before. Close to the former home of Thomas Hardy, now maintained by the National Trust, it seemed the perfect place for a walk in the shade. I couldn’t help but wonder as we meandered through the well-maintained paths, admiring the variety of evergreen and deciduous broadleaf trees, that Hardy himself probably spent time wandering these very pathways. I suspect they may have been less organised, not so many dog doo bins or neat signposts to help those struggling to get their bearings to return to the car park. Hardy certainly wouldn’t have
had to pay and display, although I don’t begrudge the charge for such a well-kept space*. Did Hardy bring a picnic to enjoy by Rushy Pond, or sit amongst giant evergreens standing like sentinels? Did he ever have his ankle scratched by a blackthorn or suffer nettle stings while exploring? It seems funny to think of one of our great writers suffering from something so mundane; maybe scratching around for dock leaves to ease the irritation. This landscape is famed for inspiring Hardy and it’s easy to see why. Hardy wouldn’t have been aware of the neurological effects of nature. He’d have no idea that alpha waves in his brain were being stimulated, boosting his creativity and powering his thoughts. Maybe the trees should share in the credit as inspiration for his works. This place is certainly far from any madding crowd and is more the magical for it.
This is a haven for wildlife, recognised as a home for dormice, bats, butterflies and a wide variety of songbirds and raptors. Spot ponies free roaming in parts of the woodland and keep an eye out for deer. At dawn and dusk, I suspect it’s not unusual to spot foxes and badgers or the occasional hedgehog. For all of the wildness, and wildlife, there is something very managed about Thorncombe Woods. I doubt it would have been the case in Hardy’s time. It feels safe, controlled. Easy to lose your way but equally easy to get back on track. A cool place to wander on a sticky summer day; I look forward to returning for the autumn colours. Finally, I imagine Hardy would have been glad of the café with
its sturdy seating, clean and wellkept toilets, and water for our furry friends, plus an exceptional selection of cake - in generous portions I might add. The cottage itself is lovely and no doubt was a wonderful place to return to after a stroll. However, there’s something special about a quality café being found at the end of a good walk. A decent coffee and a slice of cake. Bliss. *The car park is not operated by the National Trust and is pay and display. Hardy’s cottage is a 10-minute walk. Hardy’s Cottage is accessed via the National Trust, pre-booking may be required. Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardyscottage.
Nature
By Colin Lawrence The Small Copper is one of the UK’s most striking smaller butterflies that captures our attention because of its vivid orange and black colouring, however, sometimes an aberration occurs in the butterfly world. An aberration is a variation in the wing pattern of a butterfly species which is different in some way to the normal pattern; some are regarded as common, others as extremely rare. Following a tip-off from a fellow photographer, I was informed that there was this really different and unidentified butterfly sighted on Cerne Abbas Hill. Needless to say, off I set with camera in hand – but just how do you find a single butterfly on such a vast hill? (I did!) This is the beautiful aberration of the Small Copper (ab.schmiditii), probably the rarest that can be seen. After posting my photograph, I received a message from a retired Oxford professor who informed me that it was the first that he had seen for 45 years! This is what Dispar (the UK authority on butterflies) has to say, ‘Other aberrations occur with differing frequencies and many are extremely rare, not being reported at all in some years. Keeping with Small Coppers, ab. schmidtii is an extremely rare creature, but one was seen in 2009 and two more were reported in 2010.’ Readers can take part in the national butterfly survey by visiting www.gardenbutterflysurvery.org.
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