Today I’ve had the most lovely day out for my friends birthday! We went to a National Trust property across the other side of Dartmoor, Buckland Abbey, once the home of Sir Francis Drake. I think I will probably create several posts about it because I’ve just put 400 photos onto the PC. As I don’t know where to start with Buckland here are some photos of the journey across the moor. In the one with the smoke we were wondering if someone was swailing – controlled burning of heath to stimulate new growth, and now I’ve just seen on the BBC’s website that a few mile north there is a huge blaze covering six square kilometres. They don’t know how the fire started yet, swailing can be done until the second week of April, but with prior arrangement .The land is desperatle dry, I can’t remember seeing it look quite like it did today, so just the tiniest spark is all it takes, and the concern now is for nesting birds.. There are 100 firefighters at Chat Tor and they are being assisted by local commoners beating, I hope the fire in my photo, south east of there is quickly contained.
Lucid Gypsy 
In my country we have a lot ot forest and during hot summers many fires destroy trees. Looking at the parched shots in your pictures, I can understand the danger of fire. I do not like fire.
Thank you for sharing, Gilly. I am getting quite the education here.
What a nice way to spend a day !
We are in the middle of an etreme fire ban here due to the drought…fire is so devastating to wildlife
the land does look very dry … is that the usual colour for the beginning of april? we have already begun controlled burning here, getting in early after a good summer for growth … your countryside is beautiful despite it all, love the sheep by the road and the standing stones 🙂
Wow….that DOES appear exceptionally dry!
400 pics uploaded is evidence of a GREAT day in my book. 🙂 I’m really looking forward to the next posts!
Looks spectacular, Gilly!
It looks like you had a wonderful day indeed Gilly and yes, I do hope they contain that fire quickly. Here we have mountain fires as well especially in the winter. I always worry about the monkeys and baboons that live there. Thanks for a great post and for sharing hon. 🙂 *hugs*
Going to enjoy this little series! Great start!
I had to look up dartmoor Buckland just to confirm it’s England.. only because England is so wet and I had no idea they had big fires from dry land!!
Bring ’em on !
🙂 looking forward to the result of what sounds like a great day out. 🙂
Beautiful countryside, Gilly. Those firefighters really have their work cut out.
Beautiful shots. That land does look really dry and fires during this dry months can be scary.
I especially like the picture with the lamb walking down the road.
Great shots, Gilly. I shudder to think of what would happen should ht fire spread. You remember bush fires in my country?