CONFESSIONS OF A TINY LADY WORKING AMONGST TREES
"Life gets in the way", says a friend of mine. Actually he's not the only person who has openly expressed that sentiment, although I have never really agreed with it. I am aware that I haven't written in a long while; one might say that life did get in the way but for me it's... Continue Reading →
Despite dark clouds and heavy rain on the 17th of August 2020, I continue my quest of verifying more ancient trees. Through the Woodland Trust's ATI (Ancient Tree Inventory) website, I had found my next tree. It was situated in Bideford, down a narrow, well-trodden footpath beginning at the end of a small street called... Continue Reading →
In the time following my last post about the Flitton Oak - 'I Heartwood' - a few events have happened. Spurred on by recording the tree on the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Inventory website, I decided to pursue my love for ancient and veteran trees by officially applying to be an ancient tree verifier. And... Continue Reading →
Driving towards the wood I was going to be working in, I noticed how the tree canopies on both sides of the road seemed to be welcoming me into their fold. I was excited to be working again with my friend Stuart in his private woodland; it has definitely been awhile since lockdown! We had... Continue Reading →
For those of you who had seen my last poem, yes I must admit, it was sad. “Very beautiful, but sad”, as I was told by my close friend. What can I say? It has stemmed from pure, raw feelings. Feelings of frustration and uncertainty that I had been experiencing. Yesterday my ‘very beautiful, but... Continue Reading →
Yesterday we were taken on a 5.5 mile walk around Bradiford and into a lovely little wood called Tutshill Wood. To get there we had to cut across open grassy fields of nothingness; all that lovely space for the freedom to spring our arms open and embrace the sun in glee. However it was a... Continue Reading →
A special visit occurred last weekend. Acting on a tip-off from a ranger colleague, we followed a red dot on a screenshot map onto a narrow North Molton road, leading us to an inconspicuous triangle. This was where three roads met, and our special visit involved meeting an extraordinary tree. Parked up safely along the... Continue Reading →
Today I visited a place that has been on my list for quite some time. I'm at Wistman's Wood in Dartmoor, a beautiful moss covered oak copse remotely situated at high altitude. Legend has it that it was planted by druids, as 'Wistman' is derived from 'wise man', another name for druids. Designated as a... Continue Reading →
I walk In a swirling breeze To the sounds of birds Step through To a sense of peace Feel the earth Feet off Eyes shift Parallel to the soil I look up The earth vibrates Roots seeking out A tree's pathway Finding the essence of life A world invites Silent as a feather Stillness shakes... Continue Reading →
Last week, lockdown restrictions lifted ever so slightly, which means we can now drive to somewhere for a walk. The first place I really wanted to get out to was my favourite local woodland walk, about a 10-minute drive away. I recall the first time I came across this little gem of a place. I... Continue Reading →
