Our morning walk is from home round the lovely lanes of Shobley, past Linford Bottom and back up to Hangersley. In the evening we head over to South Oakley Inclosure for a walk in the beech woods and a touch of geocaching.

We head down the lane through Shobley and get this lovely view over to the clump of holly trees on Marrowbones Hill.

We take a detour away from the road to allow Harry a little time off lead to stretch out and run. The local British White* cattle are resting in the morning sunshine, unfussed by our presence as long as we don’t disturb them.

*I did have these down as White Park cattle, but was happily put right by their owner Richard Collingridge, who kindly provided their names and correct breed in a comment on this post!

Close to Brook Farm there is a little stand of birch trees that provide welcome respite from the hot sun. Is this really April?

A view over to Forest Corner Farm on Hangersley Hill – home.

After rejoining the road we head towards Linford and pass the Forest Keepers Cottage at the side of Little Linford Inclosure. Chocolate box don’t you think?

Linford Bottom. There’s the reason we’ve taken a different walk this morning. The easter holidays and the sunshine have brought the crowds out in their droves. We’ll enjoy the peace and quiet of the lanes this morning.

A cuckoo flower, a real sign of spring.

We take a little detour from the road to enjoy the burgeoning flag irises by the brook at Linford Green.

After crossing the fields we approach the farm through Burcombe Lane, green with spring growth.

At home the irises in the garden are full blown.

An aqualegia bloom in the garden.

In the afternoon we head over to enjoy the spring growth in South Oakley Inclosure near Burley and find a geogache on Burley Walk.

The edge of South Oakley Inclosure is full of huge beech trees. The early spring growth is acid green.

These trees have reached a good age and are absolutely huge.

More new beech leaves.

The rides through the inclosure are dry but full of green grass and new growth. Quite often the rides in the inclosure are muddy affairs, but at the moment they are a pure joy to walk on.

Another of the dry, green rides.

More huge, beech trees to enjoy.

The sun has started to set and looks orange through the beech trees.

The larch trees are still full of emerging leaves.

We’ve moved now into pine forest and here is the setting sun through the pines.

On the way home we stop for a quick look at the sunset from Picket Post.