Part II Cheddar Gorge, Black Rock & Reserve Circular Walk by Sheila 21st March 2024, Piney Sleights
Channel: semw52
Date: 24/03/2024

A great  relaxing walk across the fields and pastures of Piney Sleights  with no cows just  the company of the wild Cheddar Goats grazing in peace. The only time before the Season of the Cow to wander here. Rather grey and cloudy today so the video and photos also reflect this effect but captured for posterity in Time and Space.At one point I look over to the South side of the Gorge and  become slightly disorientated for a short while until I realize and recognise the track going upwards--a track I have walked many times but today almost unrecognisable---it has been a good 2 years since I walked here and the change has been quite significant---ASH DIEBACK---the trees lining that track have been decimated--killed by the disease, blackened and brittle--a tree graveyard greets you there now. BUT with Spring new growth of the surviving  trees and other unaffected plant life will emerge and give hope...A Sad sight indeed and the same affecting Long Wood and Black Rock woods and trees...Areas being denied access to allow the trees to heal, recover and repair--to gain new immunity to this devastating Ash Die-Back contagion..Later in the walk I ascend this bleak track and see up close the impact it has had...I have many previous videos ,on YT , of other walks where  the lush life  can be observed before the disease destroyed the gorgeous trees--the ASH...