I'm sure I'm not the only one who has favourite trees..All trees are precious, but to me at least, seeing the same tree in all seasons is special. In winter when bare of leaves and in the still cold air they really do seem to be sleeping. Today I noticed just the slight awakening of some in the woods. I wrote welfare check because some of my favourites are big Beeches. Shallow rooted in saturated soil and often on sloping ground, it's a wonder how they survive the fierce Gales and Storms that blow in from the coast just a mile or so away.
These Beeches grow near the Reed Beds, their branches in the water after heavy rains and I try not to notice the angle of lean has increased slightly this winter..
Most of the Woodland Ponds are full and the Wild Garlic is thick on the banks and alongside the tracks.
The Foresters have been busy all winter. Their work sites upset the unknowing, so much so that they put up notices saying why they are tree felling !! I have to admit sometimes the woods do look a bit ravaged when they get to work ..
But the benefits quickly show after a few sunny days like today. The Primroses and Gorse burst into flower once the sunlight reaches them through the cleared areas.
After a very wet few months the woodland streams are running hard and clear. I still filter and boil but I suspect that is perhaps not needed really. Just boiling for a Brew would probably do the trick. It's all Dairy and Sheep farming here and in this National Park I've never seen Farmers spraying anything on the land.
Speaking of Brews..Mother Nature has provided seating and a table..with a view and water sound effects thrown in. Too good to pass up the offer.
My 7 year old Great Grandson has christened my walking stick Mr Goose and when he visits and we go for a wander he commandeers it..
Meths burner and cheap copy US Army canteen kit does the trick I find.
Listen to the Stream and the Robins arguing over territories, Spring is definitely here..The cheese sandwich was no accident..not with the Wild garlic so plentiful..
Wandering homewards.. This big Pine is on borrowed time with is roots barely buried in the steep bank.
His cousins lay white and dead in the shallow valley below..
A last climb up through the pines in the sunshine and I'm home after 6 hours and happy to see all special friends are still standing..
These Beeches grow near the Reed Beds, their branches in the water after heavy rains and I try not to notice the angle of lean has increased slightly this winter..
Most of the Woodland Ponds are full and the Wild Garlic is thick on the banks and alongside the tracks.
The Foresters have been busy all winter. Their work sites upset the unknowing, so much so that they put up notices saying why they are tree felling !! I have to admit sometimes the woods do look a bit ravaged when they get to work ..
But the benefits quickly show after a few sunny days like today. The Primroses and Gorse burst into flower once the sunlight reaches them through the cleared areas.
After a very wet few months the woodland streams are running hard and clear. I still filter and boil but I suspect that is perhaps not needed really. Just boiling for a Brew would probably do the trick. It's all Dairy and Sheep farming here and in this National Park I've never seen Farmers spraying anything on the land.
Speaking of Brews..Mother Nature has provided seating and a table..with a view and water sound effects thrown in. Too good to pass up the offer.
My 7 year old Great Grandson has christened my walking stick Mr Goose and when he visits and we go for a wander he commandeers it..
Meths burner and cheap copy US Army canteen kit does the trick I find.
Listen to the Stream and the Robins arguing over territories, Spring is definitely here..The cheese sandwich was no accident..not with the Wild garlic so plentiful..
Wandering homewards.. This big Pine is on borrowed time with is roots barely buried in the steep bank.
His cousins lay white and dead in the shallow valley below..
A last climb up through the pines in the sunshine and I'm home after 6 hours and happy to see all special friends are still standing..
