wild flowers on the bridleways
The wild flowers on the bridleways are staggering - especially in May, June and early July. The number of different varieties and the number of actual flowers is huge. We're always puzzled why people should want to go Holland to see acres of tulips, or to the tropics to see the orchids. There are so many in England !
Not all flowers are wild of course. In the photo above jute (also called linseed or flax) is being cultivated, while last year's crop of oilseed rape lines the edge of the field.
Some of thewild roses climb 20 feet up trees. Somewhat to our surprise, the horses appreciate them too - this is Ellie (9 yrs, part Cleveland Bay), with Adrian Moyes, the former proprietor of Bridle Rides.
This is Bobbie, Bridle Rides' current proprietor, riding past a poppy field in the Cotswolds back in 1998 when she was still a customer. She is riding Monty, an 18 year old Heinz 57. This brings back golden memories because Monty had to be retired the following year and sadly died in 2001.