When I posted my first Instagram image for @inalandofgiants.blog on the 30th of October 2020, never would I have imagined how positive the response would be! I think most people relate to trees and the people who spend time with trees. There is something quite alluring about seeing a tree in its natural surroundings and... Continue Reading →
Into the Wilderness
Being wild and free.
‘Higher’ Education
I am definitely one for sharing and exchanging skills or knowledge. My friend Sam and I decided to do another spot of climbing the other day after we finished a woodland site survey. Sam reckons he has much to learn from me in terms of woodland management, ancient and veteran trees, etc. but I have... Continue Reading →
Helping Hands
When an idea or feeling creeps up on you, it is almost impossible to ignore. This was what happened about six years ago, when I had been caning the David Attenborough BBC documentaries, watching one series after another - reminiscing with the gorgeous imagery of coral reefs, lush rainforests and mountains - and really missing... Continue Reading →
Good, Bad and Everything in Between
We are in the middle of February, and the past two weeks have not been unlike any other winters in the UK - only that we are still in the post Christmas national lockdown - and it has been particularly cold. To a lot of people, winter is a time they dread the most: the... Continue Reading →
Autumn Snapshots
Just some photos we took today, in celebration of our local woods and my favourite season, Autumn! ~ All photos by C & J Duerden ~
Ascension
How does it feel to be up in the crown of a tree? "Just climb and you'll find out," I answered myself. And so I did with my friend Sam, a professional arborist. Leading up to this moment, I have been super excited and looking forward to it for days. At this crucial stage, I... Continue Reading →
Like a Flowing River
"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 →
Back To My Trees
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 →
A New Path
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 →