We live in a beautiful part of the country in the rolling hills of Montgomeryshire. On a day like today it would be a crime not to get out and just take in the scenery; it’s all too easy to take it all for granted when we see it every day.
Our wood is just over the hill North West from the house; 500m the way the crow flies but the gate into the wood is nearly a kilometre away – a nice walk. The view South East from the hill behind the house is towards Llanymynech, then Whitchurch, and eventually Crewe. You can just see the roof of our house with smoke from the chimney in the bottom right.
From the top of the hill looking North the Berwyn looks magnificent in its winter blanket.
The small copse of Sitka Spruce on the top is at the start of our wood; it’s the only ‘planted’ area the rest being naturally regenerated.
The snow had drifted at the gate to the wood – in most places it was between 8 and 10 inches deep but in places and around the gate it was up to my knees.
The snow had fallen without the slightest breeze, so every branch was laden. I had to be careful not to touch any overhanging branches because when I did I got completely covered!
The wood was in velvet silence that only a snow blanketed wood can be. The silence was only broken by the croaking of a raven or the mewing of a buzzard – and then, out of all proportion to it’s size, the scolding of a wren that decided I was trespassing.
The view from our camp looking West is stunning. In summer the sun sets down this valley and evenings at the camp are wonderful but, at this time of year, being North facing, the wood doesn’t see the sun.
Climbing back out of the wood in the snow is hard going; the tracks are typically 1 in 4. Just as I was reaching the top the sunshine beckoned and gave renewed energy!
And back out into a completely different world heading home.
Cheers,
Broch
Our wood is just over the hill North West from the house; 500m the way the crow flies but the gate into the wood is nearly a kilometre away – a nice walk. The view South East from the hill behind the house is towards Llanymynech, then Whitchurch, and eventually Crewe. You can just see the roof of our house with smoke from the chimney in the bottom right. From the top of the hill looking North the Berwyn looks magnificent in its winter blanket.
The small copse of Sitka Spruce on the top is at the start of our wood; it’s the only ‘planted’ area the rest being naturally regenerated.
The snow had drifted at the gate to the wood – in most places it was between 8 and 10 inches deep but in places and around the gate it was up to my knees.
The snow had fallen without the slightest breeze, so every branch was laden. I had to be careful not to touch any overhanging branches because when I did I got completely covered!
The wood was in velvet silence that only a snow blanketed wood can be. The silence was only broken by the croaking of a raven or the mewing of a buzzard – and then, out of all proportion to it’s size, the scolding of a wren that decided I was trespassing.
The view from our camp looking West is stunning. In summer the sun sets down this valley and evenings at the camp are wonderful but, at this time of year, being North facing, the wood doesn’t see the sun.
Climbing back out of the wood in the snow is hard going; the tracks are typically 1 in 4. Just as I was reaching the top the sunshine beckoned and gave renewed energy!
And back out into a completely different world heading home.
Cheers,
Broch
