Tuesday 30 August 2011

Dartmoor in Bloom

We returned to the South West from our Three Peaks achievements to find large swathes of Dartmoor draped in the late Summer blanket of pink and purple heather.

The heather which is currently in flower is one reason that the National Park Authority believe the moor is an area of International importance. Such is the size and scale of habitat which sees heather thrive here. Three species of the heather are found on the moor - Common, Bell and Cross-Leaved. It is certainly true that the perfect habitat for the heather is on the heathland of the Northern Atlantic - think Western France, Ireland, the New Forest and Dartmoor.

Its a wonderful time to be on the moor, with the gorse in flower, and the smells of late summer in the air. Soon the leaves will be turning the whortles will no longer be for the picking, and it'll be time to put the heating on!

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