Long gone are the bluebells of spring, the purple foxgloves of early summer. Replaced now by golden oat-like grasses and magenta bell heather. It’s a remarkable nature play-ground.
On the way up I couldn’t help noticing the grasses were much taller and almost hidden within them were tall, bright purple flowers that I had to stop and have a closer look at.
They turned out to be Betony (betonica officinalis) and as well as the purple there were a few of the white variety. There was also some Wood sage which is an evergreen woodland plant that resembles sage but is not as scented, so is not particularly used in cooking. It has small yellowish flowers. Apologies for the poor quality of these images, but it was very windy (as it so often is).
Reaching the top I have to take a photo of the sea view before turning my attention to the rocks and the flowers.
The bracken has greened up too over the summer. But here on the top it is all very much more golden.
The grasses wave in the wind, creating an almost sea-like appearance. With the dying spikes of the foxgloves waving about like strange sea anemones.
And once again the light here is magnificent. I turn my attention to the rocks themselves and start to notice the shapes and give them names.
Several look like Logan or rocking stones:
” A rock which, through weathering, has become disjoined from the parent-rock and is pivoted upon it… Such rocks can be ‘logged’, set in motion without fear of their over balancing.”
I haven’t tried to rock one… yet.
Cornwall in Colours 
Lovely images, and that marvellous view too. I am with you on the names of the stones as well. Very accurate!
Regards as always, Pete. x
Thank you Pete. I never tire of the view. Up there yesterday early evening and it was so clear I could see all the way down to the Lizard Point.
It’s a stunning view you have up there Jude. I can see why you would never tire of it. I smiled at the rock naming. I never realized just how big Mick Jagger’s lips were! 🙂
I’ll have to see what it looks like from another angle. It’s very much like a snail but no feelers.
I like what you see in the stones.
Thank you Pit.
You’ve written a lovely noticing opening paragraph. Your toad is my wombat: I laughed at Mick Jagger. The rocks and the wide views are wonderful.
Wombat? Yes I can see that. I also saw a mouse without any ears which is why I settled on a toad.
Did you expect it to be so windy, Jude? It seems almost a constant. I love your rocks though. Just the right number of them. 🙂 Can I rename your croc ‘dragon’, because I really don’t like crocs. I could never live in Florida 🙂
I think it looks like an alligator, or depending which way you look at it, it could also be an iguana. 😀
An iguana if you must, but I really do see dragon 🙂 🙂
😀
or Africa or Australia… I like dragons, very Welsh 🙂
And yes I did expect it to be windy, whenever you see a programme on TV filmed by the coast it seems to be always windy. Actually had two days that have been very still. And it is very warm!
I shall keep our Bank Holiday rain to myself 😦
Too late. We’ve got it… and I was going to visit a dahlia farm today.
Sorry! Sad face. Can’t do them on my phone x
Wonderful views, flowers and stones, Jude. Love the names you gave them. Brilliant! 😆
Glad you approve Sylvia 🙂
Your photos of heather on the hill makes me wish they were photos of this Heather on that hill.
And I too think Toad looks more like Wombat.
OK, I concede it looks like a wombat, but we don’t get those creatures here so it will have to remain as a toad…
He could be on holiday.
Great fun with the rock naming Jude, I agree with Jo, the croc looks like a sleepy dragon. I hope you identify the mystery plant, I’m intrigue, it looks shrubby? It will be windy up on that hill in three months time.
Thought it might be round mint, but there are several plants that have the same leaf, but not the flower.
Sigh…It is all so lovely.
Yes, well worth the hike up to the top, just to sit and admire the views.
I missed this one at the time. The windswept views – small and large – and those fabulous rocks – all so exciting, Jude. I was listening to something on the World Service during a wakeful moment, which means I only half remember it, but some neuroscientist was saying that they have discovered that human minds are totally wired to places i.e. taking in details so they remember where they are. Obviously it makes sense and your life may depend on it if you’re a hunter-gatherer, but it explains why landscapes have such resonance for us, when we allow ourselves to truly look.
And maybe why some places feel like home. I love being in the open and on the top of hills – iron-age forts, castles. But hate being underground. I can’t imagine that I am a descendant of cave-dwellers or foresters.
Ha! Think upland tents and tree-houses!