- Travelling through Surrey during a heatwave reveals diverse agricultural and natural scenes.
- The journey spans from beech trees in Cornwall to the chalk hills of Reigate.
- Local landmarks include Stonehenge and historical features like Cadbury Castle.
Key Points:
- Travelling through Surrey during a heatwave reveals diverse agricultural and natural scenes.
- The journey spans from beech trees in Cornwall to the chalk hills of Reigate.
- Local landmarks include Stonehenge and historical features like Cadbury Castle.
Traveling Through Surrey
During a recent heatwave, I visited my brother’s family in Surrey. From our starting point, marked by a beech tree cluster loaded with mast, the landscape was a tapestry of vibrant deciduous growth, enriched with bedstraw and honeysuckle.
The journey included a hayfield managed for local needs, and we encountered the first lorry-load of straw essential for winter bedding. By Exeter, the humidity had decreased; the red sandstone cutting through the landscape reminded me of fertile arable land, much encroached by suburban development.
Notable Landmarks
Further along the route, we passed features such as the wooded hill known as Cadbury Castle. Near Ilchester, Somerset, trailers carrying chopped straw and unripened grain were a common sight on the highway. Ancient lynchets by Mere, Wiltshire, marked the transition to chalk country, where rolling downlands of harvested cereals intermixed with rough pasture.
Approaching London
The trip continued closer to London, where the lanes filled with lorries and fast-moving traffic were a stark contrast. By Ranmore Common, we encountered a 265-acre vineyard by Dorking, and the River Mole was low. The windmill on Reigate Heath’s golf course overlooked our final destination.
Homecoming
Returning home after five days away, I noticed the blackcaps had quietened, while brown butterflies like gatekeepers, ringlets, coppers, and admirals joined peacocks and painted ladies in the garden. Blackbirds were feasting on cherries and apples, leaving blueberries unripe.
The pastures opposite our home hosted sleek south Devon cattle, which had not yet been scorched by the 1976 drought. It was a reminder of nature’s resilience amidst varying weather conditions.
Source: The Guardian
Green News
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