In case you don’t know Meg she is presently in Warsaw, and if you want to get in lots of vicarious walking with fascinating things to see (and sometimes eat) please join her there. Anyway, this wild orchid is for her, and so is this walk, since it took me back to Windmill Hill (which is actually only across the road from my house), to search once more for signs of spring.
At least last Friday the sun was out, but we still have a continuous chilling wind. As I may have said elsewhere, it feels as if it has blown across an ice sheet before ending up in Shropshire. Brrr. So far it looks as though ‘clouts’ will not be cast in June, never mind in May. I, for one, am sticking to my many garment layers, which may or may not include a vest.
But back to the orchids. This one took some finding, but I had promised Meg I would look. She had read my mention of limestone-meadow plants in an earlier post about Windmill Hill, and wanted to see more. This lovely little plant, about a hand’s span tall, has the plain name of Common spotted orchid. It was growing at the foot of the hill, and I had seen the darkly spotted leaves a week or so before. They are definitely being slow to flower this year. They probably don’t like the wind either.
To find them I went the long way round, once more up the Linden Walk whose ancient limes are now bursting into juicy green clouds. Soon (I hope) they will be flowering, and then I can get high on the scent, as well as on the sight of them. (Herbalists use lime flowers as a sedative, quite a strong one, so don’t use the flowers without expert guidance). Good old Dr. William Penny Brookes, Much Wenlock’s erstwhile physician, and the man who planted this avenue over a hundred years ago, knew what he was at on the life-enhancing front. Bravo Dr. Brookes.
Once out of the Linden Field and onto the hill, I’m taking the low path around the bottom when along comes octogenarian, Jimmy Moore, our local marathon man. He’s out on his morning run – an example to us all. He’s raised over £30,000 for charity. Seeing him approach in his buttercup yellow shirt is enough to lift the spirits sky-high. Keep on running, Jimmy.
As he passes me, he still has breath to crack a joke, and to say my photo of him will doubltless be worth a fortune. He speeds away, and I meander on, peering into the meadow grass.
The cowslips are over, but there are low growing clumps of Common bird’s foot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus if I am not mistaken in my identification from the classic Keble Martin work on British flora. As you can see from its pea-like flowers, it belongs to the legume family.
Up the hill to the windmill and there are carpets of buttercups, and a little family pretending the windmill is a castle. I like overhearing their interpretation of these remains. I shall think of them differently from now on:
The search for orchids next takes me along the hedge line where the open meadow becomes woodland. And here I find the first elderflowers of the year. I love their creamy colours, and they make the most delicious sorbet (recipe at the end).
The flowers also make a fragrant tea that is anti-catarrhal, and when mixed with peppermint is a good remedy for colds and flu. The elder tree itself has magical connotations, and features in many traditions of indigenous peoples around the world, including North America’s First Nations’ tales. The dark purple berries are of course now used in a commonly available anti-viral that goes under various names that derive from its botanical name Sambucus. The berries’ efficacy was trialled some years ago by Israeli scientists, if I remember rightly, and used to treat HIV- patients. They are thus, not by any means, ‘a quack cure’.
Into the wood, and the flowers of my earlier spring walk (which you can find HERE) the arum lilies, violets and wild garlic, are over and, beyond a few tiny wild strawberry flowers, there’s not much to be seen until I reach the roadside verge. First the Oxeye daisies…
And then the orchids, although so far only a handful are in flower. Here’s what they look like before they bloom, along with a glimpse of a wild strawberry flower at 3 o’clock:
And now as promised a recipe:
Elderflower Sorbet
8oz /1 cup/ 250 gm fair trade unbleached granulated sugar
1 pint/0.5 litre water
2 lemons
2/3 big heads of elderflowers
First pick the elderflowers when they are freshly open , and on a dry day. Shake out the bugs but do not wash. Keep the heads intact.
Pare the rind finely from the lemons, and squeeze out the juice.
Heat the water and sugar in a pan, starting gently until the sugar has dissolved, add the lemon rind and then boil briskly for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Add lemon juice and elderflower heads. Leave to cool.
Strain into a suitable container and freeze. After an hour or so, when the sorbet is slushy and starting to set , you can give it a good mash with a fork to break up any crystals, and return it to the freezer.
Alternatively, strain and churn in an ice cream maker.
This sorbet is delicious with fresh strawberries.
And guess what, as I finish writing this post the wind has dropped, and it is suddenly HOT. Just the weather for sorbet. Hurrah!
P.S. It didn’t last, so we had broad bean soup instead.
copyright 2015 Tish Farrell
Please do drop in on Jo’s Monday Walk and Meg’s Warsaw2015 if you are up for some more interesting excursions.
Tish Farrell 
Common bird’s foot trefoil!! Finally, I know its name and it is a long name for such a tiny bloom. Exquisitely captured flowers, Tish. By the look of Jimmy I would never say it is that chilly over there. One must admire him. Did you hear of that 92 year old lady running a marathon in the States somewhere? True role models 🙂
It is a long name, I agree, and for one of my favourite flowers. I hadn’t heard of the 92 year old lady, but I think it’s fantastic that are elders are getting out there and RUNNING. I’m not planning to follow suit, however. I prefer walking 🙂
I do Nordic Walking 😀
So much beauty but most beautiful of all to me, is the Linden Walk, although I suppose it’s a run for the Marathon Man.
The Linden Walk is truly a treasure. There is never a moment when it isn’t a special place. I have yet to meet Jimmy running down it though.
I love your photos, your stories.
That old man looks so fit, I am going to start jogging soon. I am inspired
Way-hay, Noel. Don’t overdo it though. Are the Hash House Harriers still going in Nairobi? Some serious training might be called for before joining that bunch, though the après-running sounds quite good fun.
Till now I didn’t know about the 3Hs ( what would we do without Google?)
There is a neighbour who runs I think everyday. I will join him and practice for the standard chartered marathon coming later on in the year.
Good on you. You’ve made my day.
You make my days much more frequently than I make yours.
Good day good friend
Actually, that really isn’t true 🙂
I know you are being modest dear.
Have a pleasant day
Profound gratitude for the orchid, Tish. I’ve never seen spotted leaves on an orchid: they are as attractive as the flower, in a different way, and easy to spot. Of course there are other treasures in this post: the elder flowers are a masterpiece of detail – I’ve tried as they open and spill perfume on the way to the playground (there’s a ritual of picking Maja up for a sniff) and don’t get a photo worth having. It was good also to get a taste of elder lore and the role of the elder in the medicine chest. To say nothing of the elder runner! That’s a great portrait. A pity I can’t try your recipe now – but if we live here for a year …
A link from your site to mine is like winning an Oscar, only better! Thank you for that too.
Like winning an Oscar, indeed! Too funny of you. Likewise, the elders all round – human and plant, or indeed the photographer. Glad you liked the orchid. I shall keep my eyes peeled later for rarer specimens. There are supposed to be bee orchids somewhere around Windmill Hill, and I have never seen one of those. See what you’ve started 🙂
Could be a lot worse!
The elderflowers are gorgeous!!
First of all….wow to Jimmy Moore…he looks great and as you an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for taking us on this glorious walk…..
It was supposed to be very sunny all day here….but actually more cloud than sun and not that warm either…..ah well, it will come. Janet:)
I went up to the allotment this evening and got soaked. The weather forecast mentioned odd isolated showers. All I can say is they combined and dropped on Wenlock at 7pm. Good for the plants though, but I got very wet knees coming home 🙂
We even had a shower here, but mostly it’s just been cold this evening…..ah well as you say the flowers must be loving the rain:)
The dark purple berries are of course now used in a commonly available anti-viral that goes under various names that derive from its botanical name Sambucus. The berries’ efficacy was trialled some years ago by Israeli scientists, if I remember rightly, and used to treat HIV- patients. They are thus, not by any means, ‘a quack cure’. – Fascinating, Tish. Do you have more info?
I’ll dig out some more info if I can, Ian.
Everything seems to be just a little late this year. Not a lot, though. Just a wee bit. My lilies are should be blooming by now, but aren’t even in bud.
A magnificent post. And seeing Jimmy made my legs twitch! Your photos are beautiful, Tish.
Isn’t it odd, that after thirty years, and an inner certainty that things are never what the heart may wish,these posts always makes me a little homesick and I get a pang or two that lingers.
Aah, Ark. I’m sorry if I’m unsettling you a bit. But many thanks for your appreciation on all fronts.
I’m going to have to print your elderflower photo and carry it with me, Tish, because I never know what’s hawthorn or whatever? How eIse am I going to make elderflower sorbet? It sounds delightful 🙂 And I love that yellow burst of trefoil thingummy 🙂 Many thanks for the link.
Hawthorn has prickles -very prickly prickles, Jo 🙂
Ahh- that should be easy enough then! I may have been confusing it with elderflower all along. Better get my specs out 🙂 Thanks, Tish!
Yep. The specs would be good when it comes to things with spikes 🙂
Such a beautiful image of the elderflower Tish! I am enjoying the wild flowers in the hedgerows this year, so many and so pretty! I haven’t seen orchids though, I am obviously not looking hard enough 😦
And you are dead right about that wind! Where IS it coming from? The Arctic?
Well, yes, but despite the wind, the wild flowers do seem so vivid and plentiful this year. Keeping looking for the orchids. There should be purple pyramidal ones soon.
Schöne Fotos. Wolfgang
Danke, Wolfgang.
A delightful post Tish and I was so impressed with the Marathon man. Just look at his legs they look like a 20 year olds. I’m intrigued with the leaning tower (windmill) of Wenlock. It has featured in a number of your posts now and I wonder can you get inside? I’m thinking the view from the top would be worth a photo…
The door is locked, and the internal parts gone, but you are so right. It would be wonderful to see Shropshire from up there.
Pity you can’t get in… 😦
For got to say – yes those legs!!!
:0
Lovely flower images, Tish. The Ox Eye Daisies are my favourites. The Marathon Man looks so fit. Kudos to him! 🙂
Reblogged this on Hutts Green Planet.
Many thanks.
Mypleasure.
“To find them I went the long way round, once more up the Linden Walk whose ancient limes are now bursting into juicy green clouds” is so poetic 🙂 Your post has made me long for Sundays and time to make elderflower sorbet every day.
Aaah. That’s lovely of you, Emma.