Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
I spy is the theme for this weeks photo challenge at the Daily Post, click on the link to join in! Michelle W says,
This week, take “eye” as your inspiration. This is a great opportunity to photograph people or pets, but remember — eye has lots of other potential meanings, too.
What do you spy?
![IMG_2026 [3375544]](https://lucidgypsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/img_2026-3375544.jpg?w=880)
Black bryony vine
twisting and climbing in red
berry bead necklace
Just behind the research and learning building on the campus of the hospital in Exeter, stands one of the area’s most important trees. Medics there made sure it was protected when the building went up, because it is a Hippocratic Plane tree. If you’ve ever been to Kos, you may have seen a five hundred year old descendant of the original Plane, that stood some 2400 years ago. It was beneath that legendary tree that Hippocrates lectured his students on the art and ethics of medicine.
There are Hippocratic Planes all around the world, in the grounds of libraries, colleges and medical schools. Trees, including this one, have been propagated by seed and cutting from the one in Kos. How fitting and wonderful, that students here can also sit in the shade of this beautiful tree.
There is another element to share, because the hospital’s estates team cut limbs from the tree, they were seasoned and used to create this cross that hangs in the chapel.
This definitely one of England’s sacred trees.
Chill winter water
cascading down through the Byes
sharp wind on its tail
![IMG_1822 [1072292]](https://lucidgypsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/img_1822-1072292.jpg?w=880)
bright golden layers
celebrating in the mist
of an autumn day
Dried up and washed up
left barren on the seashore
beauty still lingers
naked canopy
golden shooting stars descend
crunchy leaf litter
Deep in the green marsh
shall we walk lovely lady
this bright autumn day
My city, Exeter, has a 12 mile circle of paths around it, going through valley parks, nature reserves, town parks and cemeteries. Because the path passes through so many green spaces – as well as leafy residential areas, on the quiet it is a haven for wildlife. There are foxes, buzzards, woodpeckers, deer and kestrel. Around the river and canal sections you may see kingfishers, mute swans and even otters.
Last weekend I walked a section of the Ludwell Valley Park. At it’s best on a clear day in high summer, when the views are beautiful and the meadows rich with the sound of chaffinch, goldfinch and even the rarer yellowhammer and cirl bunting. In early autumn there is still plenty to see if you keep your eyes open.
The remains of the meadow, left for wildlife to feast on.
The meadow was abundant and diverse in the summer.
Two small border terrorists decided to abandon me here!
So I stood around, admired the youngish oak tree, called them, stood around some more,
Squinted at the hazy view
enjoyed the holly and eventually they re-appeared.
So they had a bit of a sit down, and we all enjoyed a different view.
Then headed back to our starting point.
Admiring the rich hedgerow along the way.
Daisy debates another diversion, but we heard an animal sound, possibly a fox, bigger than her and warning her off, so she came back as soon as I called!
Ludwell valley part of the Green Circle has several entrances and you can walk three or four miles some of which will be very steep or just take a half mile level stroll. Whichever you choose, the air is fresh and its very peaceful.
I hope you enjoyed early autumn in Exeter Green Circle, this post is for Jo’s Monday Walk, she would be delighted if you joined her and her other walkers.
Lucid Gypsy 