We are more dependent on seasonality for this course - but we can promise you a species-rich week. Again, we will have a briefing session with the maps each morning so we can identify factors such as altitide, aspect, and discuss the rock and soil types we will encounter which influence the habitat of our plants and trees. The routed we take encompass a choice of the niche environments of limestone pavements [including an N.N.R. site with both acidic and alkaline lovers], both grazed and ungrazed indigenous woodlands, limestone meadows and the incomparable hay meadows of the upper dales before they are cut.

The joys of having been here for eight years now means we have imaginative local contacts and can seek out the less well-used and more rewarding sites - so come and join us to look for Yellow-rattle, wild Lily-of-the-valley, Mountain pansy or even the lovely Globeflower ... [do you really want their family/Latin names??]

The evening programme is optional and will include short forays to a local cave [wonderful ferns], an SSSI or a dales village.

We tend to learn more from each other on these courses than from me as course tutor - especially when it comes to grasses, mosses and fauna. So please come prepared to share and learn. You will benefit from bringing a notebook, binoculars and a lightweight [in poundage!] plant identification book.

Please ring me if you have any unanswered queries on 01729 824180. Alexandra Barbour.