It had been a month since I had last been in the north and, as I took to the road once again, there was the familiar frisson of excitement that always runs through me as the journey begins. This time, however, there was something more… a longing that hovered between fear and anticipation. Last time, the heather had just begun opening its petals… and we had enjoyed a month of unusually hot sun. Would it still be in bloom?
The moorlands that I love are where the heather flowers. Most of the year, the moors are brown and gold. When the bracken unfurls its fronds, they glow with a vivid green… and when the heather blossoms, it paints whole hillsides with its distinctive hue; the air is fragranced with honey and the land wears its soul, at once regal, soft and earthy.
The road led me through six counties and a change of season. In the south, the trees still wear the deep greens of midsummer. Further north, and the touch of ochre dapples the leaves… barely visible yet but assuring me that autumn is not far away. Wildflowers still bloom, vivid against the dry stalks of gilded grasses and clouds of downy seeds follow the breeze in search of a home.
I love the autumn, and I feel in tune with the change in the air, as my own seasons turn with those of the year. But, for once, I hoped autumn would stay its hand, just a little while longer… just for the heather. As I round a bend near Bakewell, there is a far-distant hill that gives me my first glimpse of the moors. When, at this time of year, there is a sunlit streak of purple, my heart lifts and sings. This time, there was only an unrelenting smudge of brown and for a moment I felt near to tears.
Perhaps I was wrong… maybe it was just the dark grey clouds that robbed the hills of colour. But no, my next glimpse confirmed my fears… the best of the heather was over and I would not see it in full bloom this year. For a moment, the disappointment was all I could feel… and a wry acknowledgement that I was being ungrateful. I almost carried on driving.
Continue reading at The Silent Eye
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Beautifully written and these pieces always remind me of what a beautiful country we are lucky enough to live in
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Thank you, Michael…we are lucky indeed.
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for sharing, Jaye x
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So sad, that the extreme heat has robbed us of so many flowers…
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They will be back next year, though…they always are 🙂
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At least Nature never lets us down. Sometimes she makes us wait, but you know she is there, somewhere…
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She’s always busy behind the scenes 😉
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Thankfully, good to have something we can rely on…
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Absolutely 🙂
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Reblogged this on silverapplequeen and commented:
This is truly a beautiful land.
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It is 🙂
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Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
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Thanks for sharing, Viv xxx
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Reblogged this on Campbells World.
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Thanks, Patty 🙂
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Wonderful. Commented over at The Silent Eye
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Thanks, Peter.
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That made me smile. 🙂
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.
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Thanks for reblogging, Traci 🙂
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You’re welcome, Sue!
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Beautiful write-up!!
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Thank you.
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