Forests are places where we can get back in touch with our inner selves,
where we can get away from the stresses of the world about us,
where we can breathe in the sounds and scents of nature,
where for a short time nothing else matters but being there…in the Forest.
The great thing about having dogs is that they make you take exercise. If they are not taken for at least one walk a day your life will be made hell by the dirty looks from the creatures. We have 55 acres of forest behind our house…not ours I might add…and lucky for us we have the owners permission to walk there. Five of these acres are used as a research area so they have nice paths through the trees and the trees are brashed. Brashed is when the bottom branches are taken off the trees.
Sometimes we go to the forest through the gate at the bottom of the garden…
other times we head out through the Ash tree plantation to the west of our house. The dogs run ahead excitedly but come back if I am dallying.
Out onto the lane where a short time ago we were picking Blackberries galore. The dogs weren’t impressed with the fruit picking…they just want to walk…and sniff and investigate.
On to the wooden bridge and into the forest.
Looking back up through the trees the cottage and polytunnel can be glimpsed.
On we go…
until we come to the boundary between the forest and the next door farm. Along this boundary is a wonderful line of Beech trees…
probably planted by the gentry who once counted these lands among their estates. The once beautiful hunting lodge called Bella now derelict.
Inquisitive cattle stand and stare.
Fallen Beech leaves make a soft carpet to walk on.
Lettie wants to go back in the forest.
Lots of fungi growing amongst the Spruce trees here. Unfortunately these are False Chanterelles. Pity!
They are pretty though.
Time for home. It will all be done again tomorrow but no matter how often I walk here it always feels nice and fresh and new. So many paths to explore. Scents to enjoy. Birdsong to listen too. Wood to collect to keep the home fire burning bright.
The beauty and bounty of Nature right on our doorstep.
With all the madness going on in the world…corrupt Irish bankers scandalous tapes being released, America bugging the EU offices and worst of all Monsanto being the recipient of the World Food Prize…I need a day away from it all. Peace…quiet…beauty…nature. Yes! We’re off to the forest today. Ireland’s oldest forest actually…St. John’s Wood, near Lecarrow in the beautiful county of Roscommon. If anyone cares to join us we will be at the forest entrance at 3 o clock. Otherwise I will tell you all about it tomorrow.
Have a happy Sunday!
Bridget.
Yesterday, as we often do, we went for a walk in a woodland. Yesterday’s destination was Union Wood in nearby County Sligo. There was only 4 of us this time but there were lots of people in the woods, which was lovely to see. Walkers, joggers, cyclists and dog walkers were all out in good numbers. It gave a nice lively feel to the forest. Not that a forest would ever feel dead but the people about gave an extra energy.
Very big rocks here amongst the trees…
actually some of the trees look like they are growing out of the rock cliffs.
This part of the forest is made up mainly of Ash, Beech, Hazel and Oaks. Its amazing to see so many Oaks in one forest. A local man who stopped for a chat said he had counted the trees and his Oak count was roughly 4,5oo trees. Fab!
To think that Ireland was once covered by forests like this.
Our pace is nice and slow. Time to chat as we walk…and all the while absorbing the relaxing, healing vibration of nature.
Aren’t these unfurling Ferns just beautiful?
John on his iPad trying to identify an unknown tree. Turns out it was a Wild Cherry. Check out John’s Bards in the Woods t-shirt.
Happy days! Happy people! On we go to the prize at the end of the walk…
a picnic beside the river…and reluctantly we leave the forest… and head for home.
If you want to join our woodland walks or indeed seek inspiration to start woodland walks where you live check out Woodland Walks, Bards & Picnics Around Ireland on Facebook or www.bardsinthewoods.com .
It is early morning…6.3o to be precise…a bit earlier than usual for me to be up and about but I didn’t sleep very well. Probably due to being on antibiotics and steroids for an upper respiratory tract infection. Hopefully the drugs will do the trick and in a few days I shall be tickety boo again.
The only sound to be heard is the early morning birdsong. All the different voices merge together beautifully like a well rehearsed choir. So uplifting…
A wheelbarrow full of grass clippings sits as testament to yesterdays unfinished jobs. The first chore today will be to mulch amongst the Blackcurrants with cardboard and these grass clippings. But thats for later…
By the pond Flag Irises are just showing their yellow flowers…
and the Newts are up and about. Must be hundreds of Newts in the pond. I wonder if Newts ever sleep?
I can see little flower buds on the Water Lily.
Everything feels so alive and vibrant. The growth is so strong that the scene changes from one day to the next. A privilege to be able to observe it…I am thankful.
As the Sun starts to emerge it is time to go indoors and get the kettle on for coffee.
A new day has begun…
So calm and white and bright.
The death knell tolls…
until the reemergence next Spring.
So still and calm this morning.
Tinselled Rubus.
Frosted baubles on the Guelder Rose.
Frozen pond.
Temporary exhibition…soon to be melted away by the rising Sun.
The Sun is getting lower in the sky now casting shadows deeper into the cottage. So nice to be greeted by early morning sunshine on the table.
Strange shadow play on the conservatory wall. Seeds for next year drying on the table. Gardeners are always thinking ahead to the next season.
Still a bit misty outside.
Out into the garden. The Sun is at the south east but shortly the whole garden will light up as the Sun comes round to the south. Still lots of leaves to be collected.
Such a stunningly beautiful morning! More like Summer than November 1st. Been a while since I walked the garden in my dressing gown at this time of year. That’s the good thing about living in the sticks…no one peering over the hedge…ever!
Back to the conservatory for more shadow play.
By December 21st the Sun should be just skimming the top of the trees in the forest behind us and casting shadow and light even deeper into the cottage. As this is our first Winter here we are seeing all this for the first time.
Seeds to be potted on are highlighted too. Canterbury Bells and Dianthus planted in the Autumn to give a head start next year.
Lettie catching a few early morning rays…
while Freddie is needing some TLC. He had his little op a few days ago and has to wear this silly lampshade so he doesn’t go near his stitches.
Be careful if you go down to the woods today…especially approaching dusk. It’s that time of the year when ghouls, goblins and other mischievous beings come out to scare and haunt and taunt. It’s dark and still and eerily silent in the woods on these days around the turning point of the Celtic year. For it is the time of the changing of the seasons. Summer is well and truly gone…Winter has come. The Celts lives revolved around agriculture and the seasons. This time would be the end of the harvest…indeed all berries and tree fruits were picked before Samhain because the breath of the Puca and other evil beings would fall upon them.
People dressed in masks and costumes to disguise themselves and frighten the evil spirits away. That’s where the tradition of dressing up at Halloween/Samhain comes from.
As kids we dressed in old clothes at Halloween. The only thing bought new was a mask. Nowadays the shops are full of costumes for children and adults alike. High priced badly made tat from China. The masks have become so grotesque and horrible…blood and gore…the more the merrier. Despite the recession this stuff is flying out of the shops. Amazes me!
For me it is a particularly poignant time of the year as it is the anniversary of my Father’s death. Twenty one years ago he left us at the age of fifty nine. I still miss him a lot. This year would have been his eightieth. I remember the funeral just before Halloween. While we were immersed in our grief and sadness everyone else was full of the joys of the season. Such is life!
Enjoy the dark time of the year…for us sure as night follows day the Sun will return in the Spring…warming the land for another growing season. Enjoy the fruits that have been harvested this year. The goodness of the Summer to sustain and nourish us through the dark time. A time of reflection, reading, crafting…glowing fires and hearty soups. Will we have snow or will it be a mild wet Winter? The answer will be revealed in time.
Enjoy the season that’s in it. Happy Samhain/Halloween to all who pass this way.
fromacountrycottage 