The Three Bs part two

 Second B is for Bedelands Nature Reserve. Free parking and entry and this gorgeous wooden greenman guardian gatekeeper [the work of Sussex artist Janine Creaye].

The reserve was established in 1994 and is one of a series around Burgess Hill. It covers 33 hectares and supports many rare species including dormice, the grass rivulet moth and the cumberland green and yellow crab spiders. It also offers seven unploughed ancient wildflower meadows. With my passion for wildflowers ever undimmed we are currently photographing every one we see no matter how common it is and creating our own personal record. So Watford Meadow, Wet Meadow, Big Field, House Field, Mill Pond Field, Old Furze Common and Valebridge Common Field prepare yourself because in the words of Arnie 'I'll be back' later in the season to see what you've got on offer. Meanwhile the woodland is currently a glorious carpet of bluebells and wood anemones with that fabulous lime green haze you get when the oaks start to unfurl their new leaves. Some of them are festooned with ivy with those rope thick stems climbing ever higher.

In 1607 Edmund Attrie, Lord of Theobald's Manor, got permission to permanently flood six acres of common to power a water mill which is no longer standing, but the pond remains and is a favourite haunt of bats hunting for their nightly insect feast. At some point two waterfalls have been constructed to bring the flow down to the lower pond and although there has been insufficient rain to have both of them running, this one was doing a pretty good job. Unfortunately we don't get natural waterfalls in this part of the world so we just have to make the best of what we do have.

David's map indicated that there might be a well somewhere around, but our brief foray proved fruitless. Perhaps it's on private land nearby. Anyhow we stumbled across this face staring back at us from an old and rather neglected door instead. Am happy with that!

A couple of miles walked in the sunshine set us up nicely before beginning our homeward drive. Was there another pitstop planned? Of course, need you ask! Next post....

Arilx