A Walk In The Newport Forest - The Bluebell Walk

It was a fairly busy weekend for us as we drove out to Wardsville after our enjoyable visit to Longwoods Conservation area this morning. Our daughter Erin was leading a walk at 1 PM at the Newport Forest a beautifully unspoiled resource that was owned by Erin's friends Professor Kee Dewney and his wife Pat. The annual Bluebell Walk is by invitation only so we were very pleased to attend. The 115 acre site is not normally open to the public. About five years ago (2007) Kee and Pat donated the property to the Thames Talbot Land Trust so that the land will be preserved in its natural state in perpetuity. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE NEWPORT FOREST



Play the video for more details on how this all evolved. Video prepared by the London Community Foundation.

Wendy and I arrived a little early (around 12:30 PM) and explored our way to Kee's trailer. On the way we noticed lots of deer footprints. Although we have never been here before, we feel like we have because we read Kee's email newsletters at least every week.

The first thing Kee did when he arrived was check the rain gauge. "It looks like 23 millimeters of rain. Don't let me forget that." As he emptied the gauge.

Birdhouses and raccoon boxes adorn the surrounding trees.

On our tour of the forest, Erin leads the way describing many of the features found along the trail.

An American toad poses for the camera.

Late spring is a wonderful time to explore since there are very few mosquitoes out yet.

The Thames River meanders though the back of the property.

Today's tour was called the Bluebell Walk and we weren't disappointed. The bluebells were out in their glory. Erin explained that the flowers come out first in the forest before the leaves in the trees block out the sun that gets to the forest floor.  Once the leaves block the sun, the flowers disappear and different plants take over.

There was a couple dozen people on the tour and everyone seemed to be enjoying the perfect weather.

Erin shows a Trillium and describes how the White Trillium comes in different colour variations. Even though they are different colours they are still called White Trilliums. An exception, Erin tells us are ones with green stripes. These markings are caused by disease.

Jane Bowles made some artsy Bluebell cookies

After the walk, Kee and Pat entertain us in their outdoor living room.  Snacks and drinks were a welcome treat.

Wendy meets Kee's friend Steve.

Wendy snaps a picture of Pat.

Kee and Erin deep in conversation. Read a snippet about Kee Dewdneys colourful life CLICK HERE 

Check out Erin's Blog CLICK HERE
Check out Keewatin Dewdney's  Web Site CLICK HERE

If you are in the area next weekend check this out:

Public Hiking Tour - You're Invited

Coming up May 12 @ 1 p.m.

Thames Talbot Land Trust

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