Gait Barrows NNR

We knew before we left our respective homes that we were in for a bit of a wet day, but despite that ten of us assembled in the small car park at the NNR for the start of the field trip, led by Peter Tipping.  Despite the wet conditions on arrival, requiring us all to start off in full waterproof gear, a group photo was thought in order; just as the camera came out there was an almightly flash, immediately followed by an almighty crash of thunder, it caught us by surprise and filled us with foreboding but it was the last we had!

From the car park we proceeded through dripping woodland, but much cheered by a lovely stand of Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia) with some flowers still extant and some fruits forming.  Passing through lovely limestone woodland we saw many local specialities but eventually arrived at a series of more-open areas of limestone pavement.

After finding a great many limestone treasures in amongst the grykes we proceeded across rather more vegetated rocky areas, finding treasures like fruiting patches of Spring Cinquefoil and much Mountain Melick, amongst many others, all on the way to the glory of Gait Barrows!

The magnificent flowers of the Lady's Slipper seemed quite impervious to the wet conditions and despite many having already faded there were still plenty in good flowering condition.

Peter Gateley