Tuesday, May 28, 2013

bluebells at blackbury camp

This is Blackbury Camp, an Iron Age hill fort and one of many that are situated in Devon. These camps are usually on exposed hilltops which give wide views of the surrounding countryside, but there isn't much of a view here and when you arrive you get more of an impression of it being on the flat and well hidden in some woodland. It's actually at the end of a ridge 600 feet above sea level and in a place where the land drops away quickly. Blackbury Camp has an interesting but unfinished barbican defence, some of which can be seen as the undulating shapes in the above photos. Why it was left unfinished is a matter for speculation, though it could be that another local tribe invaded the fort in a sort of now-or-never maneuver. We don't know really.

Blackbury Camp is especially popular at bluebell time of the year and folk come from all over to see this particular vision of springtime. It is a good place for people who are unable to walk very well to visit, as the car park is right next to the fort, and apart from a fairly gentle slope through the rings the interior is actually very flat and easy to negotiate. If you'd like to experience the site with fewer people around we were advised to come back at any other time as apparently it is almost deserted the rest of the year.

Of particular note to me were the unusual acoustics inside and around the fort. Sounds appeared to be amplified and voices traveled easily and clearly across the large space. We were there on a still day but it did seem that the place had a deeper quality of silence somehow, if you know what I mean. I don't think that the photos I took really do justice to the actual beauty of the location, it is a bit special. Although it only takes about ten minutes to walk around the perimeter the site is quite large, but it's difficult to get an overall impression of it in the photos. Hopefully they might be enough to encourage others to explore the place for themselves.

10 comments:

reem said...

Just amazing ,,,i love your photos ,what a wonderful place purple flowers ,,i like the second and the last photos they seem bright and it seems nice day ,so it's spring time finally ..that's very interesting ,when i saw them i said waw ...actually we realy need silence and quiet place ,life keeps going very fast and very bad sometimes ,two weeks ago ,i've lost my brother ,he has gone and i couldn't put some flowers on his grave ,i didn't say goodby to him ,he was young, and that was bid lost for me and my dad too ,,life seems very sad now and time doesn't mean much any more ,,today i was sad and angry but i slightly better now ,i'm so glad to see and enjoy your work and i want to explore this place oneday ...all the best for you ....

john said...

Choukran Reem. I'm really sorry to hear of the loss of your brother, it must be a terrible shock for you all. Our brothers are irreplaceable. There isn't much that will be of any help at the moment but we have to carry on for the family still here and give them all the support we can. We want more time with the people we love and it seems impossible that we won't meet with them again. It takes a long time but I try to remember all the good things about the people I've lost and the happy times we had. It's too short a time Reem and we will always miss them. Take care Reem.

A13 said...

"I just want to lay down and roll in it"...
That was the first thing i said to my hubby when i saw these images...
how delightful

fields of fancy
blue flowers prancing
little happy blooms of life


Blessings and kind thoughts to Reem on your loss x peace to you and you loved ones.


as we all decay
new life springs
into action once more

no more pain
the cycle revolves
like an open door

never forgetting
the energy
of those we loved.

set free
new life
grow now

love and peace and bluebells in the spring
new life and fresh memories
Ad

john said...

Thanks A13. A duck has made a nest right by my mothers back door and there are six eggs in it so far. I took some photos of them earlier. We are having to rapidly learn about all things duck related. I'll try to get back to Blackbury camp later on in the summer and see how it looks then. Thanks for your kind thoughts to Reem, it is very much appreciated.

Cheers for now

reem said...

Thanks my friend John ,thanks A13 ,thanks of you both ,it's very much appreciated for me to read your nice words ,life always has something good for us ,,i like your words about spring and life A13 .......Summer is very hot here these days ,life seems boring and slow but i try to find the beauty everywhere ,my friend had a look on your blog and she liked your photos ,and the purple flowers too ,i would like to see this place at summer ,hope ..every day we pray for peace in my country ,,all the best for you both ....

john said...

You're most welcome Reem. I think you are very brave. We very much hope for peace in your country too.

Still we have the hot weather here.
Cheers for now.

A13 said...

Dear Reem, I had no idea of your country location until i saw your profile.
Much love, blessings and safety to you, Protection and healing.
I hope your future is untouched by all that is happening there and give you my support and good thoughts.
many regards and hope to you for the future of your Country xxoo
A

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

Anonymous said...

The buttercups have now taken over.

- Aangirfan

john said...

Thanks aangirfan. I'm glad others take time to appreciate the flowers and the change of seasons, such a beautiful progression. Cheers for now.