Mincing Lake and Obsessions and Passions

There is an area of woodland, wild meadows, winding paths and a stream very near to our house. We've been going there regularly over the years ever since we moved to Exeter 12 years ago. I love walking the same paths noticing how it changes through the seasons. It's called Mincing Lake Valley Park. I always describe it to Robin as the place without the lake because although there's a  little stream

 running through it there is no lake to be found. Tonight I did some research to find out why. And why it's called 'Mincing. I can't get the image out of my mind of everyone walking round it taking small quick steps. Of course it's not that. It's derived from the Anglo Saxon word moenchin meaning nun. Hundreds of years ago the stream of the same name ran past St Katherine's priory and the nuns who lived there dammed the stream further up the valley to create a fish lake. Hence the nuns' lake.

                                       

Later it became the city tip and then in the 1970s it was filled in and capped and is the beautiful wild space we have now.

This evening we wander through its high summer wildness - the convolvulus  binding up the brambles,

the thistles breaking out 

from their prickly homes and 

bursting into the wind - flying fluff.

The cow parsley and wild carrot flowing up the banks, setting their seeds above our heads and 

the soft elegant grasses -  yellow and pink and dry  - shimmering in great swathes, waving us on our way. 

The view from the top of the hill where we always stop and sit on the bench which feels as if it's been waiting for us, and watch the dog walkers and the runners -  bright specs in the meadows below us.

This field of wheat in the distance  -already harvested.

Our walk is slow -  stopping and starting  - for me to take photos and 

and for Robin to pick the first ripe blackberries. Can it be so soon?  

And so we segue neatly from hunting wild garlic leaves to blackberry foraging  - exchanging one of his passionate obsessions for another. But I don't mind so long as we are outside - and I can feel the air breathing on my face and indulge one of  my passions - to search for beauty in every natural living thing ....capture it in my camera.....and share it with you.