Farewell to this patch

We have been charmed by the Somerset Levels. For 10 years we have explored her tracks and trails and miry ways. This magical, reclaimed land of lake villages and hidden places has woven its spells and shared its secrets with us. It is arrow straight rhynes and hissing reeds. It is lace-towered churches on small hills and great big views. Long legged birds stalk and hide here, safe and secret. Crane, bittern, heron and egret are flourishing.

And we have seen newts and bats and hedgehogs visit our own local, local patch. They are welcome.

But now we are moving on. The house is sold and we are fleeing across the border to Dorset's softly wooded vales. There are new tracks and trails to discover and another local patch to explore. Bilbo has already found hedgerows full of pheasant and partridge and a rabbit warren at the end of the garden. As summer loses her grip on the land, our autumn will be full of new sights and sounds and scents. Farewell to this patch ...