Hold on....

He said, 'hold on they're coming', he said, 'hold on a full canopy is very near'. Well, he didn't actually say that, I've paraphrased Country Joe...a bit. But, the canopy is coming, an eager oak, an early adapter is already staking his claim to space, you know what Rush said about the oaks.

Burley Old

I regularly access Burley Old through this gate, so much so that I don't take much notice any more, only really registering my surrounding when into the stands and on my way. Today, for reasons unknown, I found myself hanging back, draping myself over the gate, and taking time to study the woodland, acclimatizing my senses and tuning in. It was worth doing. I think sometimes life encourages, or rather forces you, to move faster than your senses would like, meaning some details, the minutia of life, get overlooked as you hurry through. You miss so much that way, too much, it's good to slow it down, that minutia's important. Weirdly I felt that 5 minutes spent tuning in gave me better connection to the woods. It wont look like this for much longer, the wheel keeps on turning, and soon the forest will close in on itself, your views through the stands hindered by low hanging leafy boughs. Spring is stepping up it's game.

Last post

Yesterday it was a new build in the woods, today the remains of an old one. These unassuming withered boughs, now much reduced from their former glories, have been propped up against this young tree for in excess of 15 years, maybe nearer 20. They were once part of a teepee type construction, small, though you could sit inside of it, and for most of those years the structure remained accessible and a feature of the wood. I've watched as over the years, bit by bit, the sticks and branches have fallen away, creating a jumble round the base of the trunk as they slowly return to the earth. The decline was slow at first, although in recent years it's accelerated.  Still, it's amazing to think an afternoons playful construction would enjoy such longevity.

Woodland development

There's a new build in Burley Old, and it's none too shabby, in fact it's quite the grand design. Woodland detritus shelters come in all shapes and sizes, and a lot of work's gone into this one. A lot of thought has gone into the selection of materials and it's construction too. Bravo to the creators, not just for a super building job, but also for adding something to the wood, another woodland curio, more organic art. I feel quite inspired.

Andy Roid

It was sad to hear recently that the 'Music of the Andys' have ceased as a musical combo, as their post put it 'the goose (of perception) has flown'. What a shame, man, there was a certain magic there, something hypnotic and even shamanistic in their sound, certainly a sound full of energies. Thanks and applause must go out to Andy Roger and Andy Burrows for their sterling work and many great live performances...bravo!  There's still some cool Music of the Andys stuff on their bandcamp page to check out. On a brighter note, it turns out the goose doubles as a phoenix and both musicians continue on, Andy Burrows with the fabulous Here and Now Band, and Andy Roger with a smashing new Andy Roid project which has oodles of potential. Andy Roid's first release is Guru Hoodoo, and it's 24 minutes of great.  You're taken on an aural journey all hypnotic and strange, there are plenty of fabulously odd sounding samples and trippy loops, it's as ambient as feck in a wonderfully weird, at points eerie, way. Andy creates richly textured and deep soundscapes which though constantly evolving, morphing and shifting focus, maintain a cogent path. At a couple of points there are echoes of surreal 60's TV soundtracks, you could imagine Steed running about a tripped out dolls house or something, all filmed weird angles and perspectives. Lovely stuff. I can't wait to see where this goes, nor can I wait to catch him live, should take a bean bag though, this is the sort of music you want to lay back and dissolve too. Check it out.

Corfe

Corfe Castle, gateway to Purbeck, tucked quietly away on the Dorset coast, though a castle which crops up again and again in the national story. In it's day it was regarded as one of the most tenacious of castles in the country, founded by William the Conqueror, it served at different times as a home, a weapons store, a prison and a mint, as a royal stronghold it withstood sieges in both civil wars, and never fell in battle, finally falling to treachery and subsequently slighted by order of parliament.  It is the most archetypal and romantic of ruined medieval castles.

Norden Wood

Mother Nature had laid out the green carpet for us this morning in Norden Wood.  A lush carpet it was too, swathes of ramsons releasing the pungent scent as you passed, their flower heads still tightly closed, dogs mercury, the promise of bluebells and the occasional flash of creamy yellow primrose flowers. Norden's a predominantly Ash woodland, an increasingly vulnerable species, it's very different from most of the woodland I roam, and therefore's even more special to me. Sitting at the base of one of the older trees I sank into the woods, immersed myself in its sounds, mainly birdsong, the canopy was a huge conversation, I couldn't understand what was being conveyed, though I got the gist. Only clear blue was visible through the high branches, and a young sun showed his potential, a gentle breeze swept through, swirling scents and sounds. Norden covers an area of the landward facing side of the Purbeck Ridge and there always appears to be a breeze present. I sat bathing in pure spring, absolute bliss, I could've sat here for an age. I'll be back soon though, soon the ramsons will come into their own, and although I know many ramson woods, there's none to match Norden's majestic beauty in full bloom.

Hare

Spring was certainly about in the Chase this morning. Driving along I turned a corner to find a hare sat nonchalantly in the middle of the road. I pulled to a stop and we both just looked at each other, before I broke the spell by going for my camera.  I just managed to snap a shot out of the car window before the hare disappeared over the brow of the hill. Always a lovely sight, a hare.

Chase

The quiet of the woods was broken by a carrion bird and a bird of prey engaged in aerial combat above Stonedown Wood this morning, noisily the pair circled and swooped. The carrion was the aggressor, or was at least dominating the interaction, with the bird of prey unable to shake off its pursuer. The carrions dogged persistence made me think the bird of prey had encroached into the formers territory, and was being shown short shrift. In the end I lost sight of them, though I could still hear their cries disappearing into the distance.

Avon Water

Avon Water between old Holmsley station and Wooten Bridge is one of the forest's more recent stream restoration projects. I was struck today how successful the project has been, and how quickly the stream and it's environs are being transformed. Done in two sections over a few years, the woodland is hardly recognizable, and all traces of the straight forest drain have been erased. If you ever saw the forest's streams before they were restored to their meandering pre-Victorian courses, you'd remember how sterile many of them were. Straightened to drain the forest more effectively, and regularly cleared, it was difficult, no, more impossible for any plants to secure a foothold, bare gravel beds and barren banks were the order of the day. How fantastic to see it now. The scars of earthmoving machines are healing rapidly, the thinned canopy allows more light through, greening the land below, aquatic plants have established communities in the meanders and wetland plants thrive along the shallow banks. Avon Water's a really interesting stream as it represents a fluid border between two very different groups environments; the drier mixed blocks of woodland with their frequent grassy clearings, and wetter areas of carr woodland, sphagnum bog and phragmites reed beds. They've done a fantastic job on these sections, the transformation to date is remarkable, and the transformation will only deepen as more plant, insect and animal communities become established in this more harmonious and inviting environment.

Springs advance guard

Fruiting trees are beginning to blossom, in the garden it's the cherries, out here in the forest it's the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) who are the first of the woodland cohort to show. Walking in Bratley Wood I noticed one tree in the wood was far more advanced in flowering terms than the others, it's buds were full to burst and clusters of clean white flowers were already on show. What was interesting, to me anyway, was that the advanced tree was a stressed tree, one that had suffered storm damage a season or so ago and was listing at 30 degrees. One of the stress responses in plants is to produce more flowers and therefore, hopefully, more seeds to increase the trees likelihood of reproduction and survival of its line. I've seen this in other trees, one in particular is that rarest of trees, in these parts anyway, the Juniper. I only know of two junipers, only one that fruits, and that fruiting one is highly stressed and always heavy with berries. The Blackthorn is common throughout the forest, especially along the stream corridors and amongst the open ancient deciduous stands, this one's going to be a riot  of flowers soon. One of springs advance guard. Hail and welcome.

No moon in sight

I know I said I try to to get a photo of every full moon this year, though tonight the thick blanket of cloud which smothered the sky ensured I was to be thwarted. So here's a photo of my full moon fire instead. 

Sping Equinox

To celebrate Alban Eilir, and a moment of equilibrium in our ever turning wheel of the year, the Willows are putting on their seasonal display, they're like organic fireworks. In a landscape still brushing the sleepy-dust from its eyes you easily spot their eagerness, a welcome portent of springs potential and promise. May the seeds of your dreams fall on fertile ground. Equinox blessings y'all.

Canopy's coming

All about buds are beginning to burst into life as the first leaves of Spring start to show. I love all the seasons dearly, each has their beauty and gifts, though I'll admit I favour Spring. Springs beauties are legion, the overwhelming sense of fecundity, the boundless potential that offers, all that new life, the verdance, the light and the energy of it all. Springs energy is infectious too, walking in Spring is an opportunity to be energized, and I'm sure we could all do with some of that.

No surrender

Hollowed by battles, battered and bruised.

Asked to surrender, the tree she refused. 

Epiphanies

I've been grateful for any moments of epiphany I've had, we all need them, things that have offered clarity, a change of perception or a key that's opened another door. They come in many forms and from diffuse sources. One that often comes to mind when I'm in the woods, predictably maybe, is reading Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood. I was thinking whilst amongst the crowded stands of shadowy conifers, with their pockets of veteran deciduous trees appearing like magical groves, how profoundly Mythago Wood altered the way I perceived, received and related to landscape. I know it's fiction, don't underestimate the magic in the arts though. I've found there's often elements of genuine truth to be found in stories and lyrics, truths are just truths. Musing I wondered how best describe the gift the book had given me, and concluded that I couldn't adequately put into words how Mythago changed my perceptions, just that it did. Through it I managed a deeper richer connection to nature, the past, and an  understanding of how they're connected, it shone a beneficial light on my spiritual path too. Not that I base my spirituality on a book, though millions do, more that Mythago Wood was a lightning rod, it acted as a key to change, and that change was illuminating. I never really leave the woods, I understand that  now.

Fairy land

There's always something interesting to find off the beaten track, even if it's only just off the track. Take this 'Fairy Tree' in Wilverley enclosure, I know it's a fairy tree as it has a tiny sign on it saying so, to all intents and purposes it's a 'wishing tree'. The origins of the wishing tree extends way back into history, and possibly beyond, the 'Clootie Tree' is traditionally festooned with strips rag offerings representing wishes, similar practices can be found all over the world. Modern ones have extended the range of objects tied, hammered in (coins are a common item) or left at the tree. A fluttering rag caught my eye as we moved through the stands, it brought a smile, I like finding sites like this, although as I drew closer I saw there was a plethora of other things tied to the trees branches and scattered on the floor. There lies the issue, for me anyway, wood, stone, metal, string, fabric, shell, anything organic, there's quite a lot of scope there, it's all cool, it's the introduction of plastic, tinsel, glitter and similar that concerns me. I'm not criticizing these folk (I'm far from perfect) or their practices (well, their practices, a bit), I just wish people would think a little more, the idea's good, their motivations are good, that's clear by the wishes, it's all that plastic though, and there was a lot of it. Still that gripe aside, it's good to see folk customs persist, and even enjoy a bit of a renaissance. There'd been plenty of activity around this tree too, and there was plenty of interesting stuff hanging about its tree. As well as rag wishes and offerings, the tree was well covered in graffiti, mostly shallow carved individual letters (again, something which I know raises hackles). On one offering I saw '2017', so this tree's been used for a while now, the condition of many of the offerings confirmed it. I was intending to have thorough look about, but there were tinkly things on the branches, and their ceaseless jangling had Geoff all of a tither, so we moved off beyond the open mixed stands and the Fairy Tree, disappearing again into the dark conifers seclusion and quiet. Waiting to see what we find next. 

Light wave

Today bands of cloud scud across the sky driven by blustery winds, below them the light came in waves across the Chase as they passed, flooding Stonedown Wood with warm luminosity before ebbing away again, leaving the stands drained and quite flat by comparison. Still, lovely walking though.

Smashing

We only skirted the edge of Burley Old this morning and saw ten or more trees downed, most in two groups. In both a large tree had fallen taking out some of the surrounding smaller trees. This veteran beech of fair girth crushed at least three, a mature oak and two birch, maybe more it was quite a mess,  the core of the beech was well punky, and may have been why it succumbed to the winds, that and it's on the woodland fringe, exposed. Whilst a little further on a large oak had taken out another smaller oak, a beech, a birch and two hollies. As I say, we really only skirted the enclosure, I dread to think how many more are down. Burley Old has suffered terribly in recent years, losing the veteran trees is bad enough, losing the younger trees too, that just adds insult to injury. The enclosure looks a sorry state, particularly viewed through the seasons naked lens.

Dear Liza

There's a hole in my bucket dear Liza, dear Liza, to be honest Liza, it's more hole than bucket. Hanging on a simple hinge bolted through a gnarled old post, nothing else remaining of the gateway, nor any visible fence line for that matter, this old bucket here has certainly seen better days, and when those day's were one can only guess. I've mentioned before how the landscape of the Chase is a layer cake of human activity going back over five thousand years. Of those older phases only earthen evidence remains visible, barrows, banks and boundaries, whereas sometimes these more tangible relics remain of recent activity.

There's only one way

The light through the stands was lovely this morning. Setting off on today’s walk my mind was on a blog I'd read at breakfast by a local pagan type, in particular something the author had written about insecurities around whether they were a good or bad pagan. That resonated with me, though for me the anxiety manifests more as am I 'doing' this right? I'm confident in what my aims are, just not always in how I'm doing pursuing them. My rituals, as they are, can be quite mutable, often ad hoc, and always organic in nature (well nearly always, I do sometimes write things down). I like them, and I feel they work for me. Although still I wonder if I shouldn't follow a more established methodology, more ordered ritual. I enjoy organized ceremonies and open rituals, whether with a large group at Stonehenge, Glastonbury and Avebury, or with local groves (of which there are two, both lovely groups of people).  Most of the time though life gets in the way, and I end up following the solitary path. Of course there's no definitive pagan way, more a myriad of paths observing the traditional eight fold year, which happen to coalesce around a broad generally accepted framework. There's no doctrine, so I can't be doing it wrong really. Anyway, as the Rede says 'an you harm none, do as you will'. I don't know. Maybe writing stuff down would help, I've wanted to create my own quarter calls for a woodland setting for a while. I know it's confidence thing, and really the Levellers had it right with 'There's only one way of life, and that's your own'. Nice out today.

Reflection

The forest's a perfect place to reflect.

Turkey Tail

Swathes of Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) are a common sight on the forests hardwood stumps and draped over fallen trunks. It's a powerful medicinal fungi whose many applications, although being known in traditional folk medicine for hundreds of years, are currently the most extensively researched of all medicinal mushrooms.

Moss Forest

The forest's moss is loving the wet.

Ober Water

The forest has been dry this winter, but for a handful of occasions we've been able to cross the forests streams without undue drama, although not today, today was how the forest should have been for most of the last couple of months. Between the higher dry ground of Ferny Knap and Rhinefield Sandy's, Ober Water flows through low wet grassland and heath. Usually a narrow stream when engorged as this morning the waters spill out, filling a myriad of former channels, creating a formidable obstacle. Crossing Ober Water was a bit of a kerfuffle today.

Nationalist graffiti

I wonder if we'll ever cure humanities distasteful nationalist and xenophobic tendencies? If you remember 1970's Britain (and the 1980's to a lesser degree) then you'll recognize the conjoined letters carved into the tree. NF, the National Front, racist boot boy bullies, white nationalists trumpeting Britain whilst doing Nazi salutes, to put them simply...the enemy. Ignorant racists, who also enjoyed a whole suit of other intolerances, and most of whom had never met a person of differing culture or ethnicity. Periodically they returned, in the 90's as the BNP, the British National Party and more recently as the EDL the English Defence League, nearly 50 years on, although the acronyms change, the same tired right wing nationalist rhetoric and slogans endure. Currently they're the most vocal and powerful I've known them, Brexit unleashed them, Brexit is based on xenophobia, they say 'not everybody who voted Brexit is a racist, though every racist voted Brexit'. And the same shit is happening all over. Thriving on fear and disenfranchisement, inexhaustible products of our political systems, they'll always find an angry desperate ear that'll listen. Sad times. I was afforded a schadenfreude moment with the most recent immigration figures though, predominantly white Christian Europeans down, predominantly coloured non Christian rest of the world types up, oh the irony, poetic really. And the graffiti is from 1970's, I don't think they made Rays after the 70's.  

The New Forest

When people think of the New Forest I'm sure it's of expansive woodlands, of which there are some 230 sq mi of broadleaved woodlands and enclosed mixed plantation, although there are also 59 sq mi of open grassland, heathland and wetland. The photo above is representative of much of the forests heathland, a mixture of dry heathland with pockets of wetland heath, wetland and carr woodland filling hollows in the undulating landscape. Many of the wetland heath areas are impassible, especially through the wet seasons, punctuated as they are by wetland proper, you'll often find yourself following the contours of the land, making a 5 minute walk as the crow flies, a 20 walk.  This view is of the lower reaches of Duck Hole and Duck Hole Bog taken from one of the Bronze Age Round Barrows which border Ferny Knap enclosure (one of the smaller enclosures 21 acres, enclosed 1843. Lovely morning.

Great Huntley Oak

It's always a pleasure spending time with the Great Huntley Oak, he's an elder in, if not the eldest in, this wood. He's held this spot in the forest through the centuries, to think he'd probably have been a sampling when Henry rallied his troops on St Crispen's Day, crazy, eh! The world would have been a very different place then. The whole nature of the forest has been transformed several times in the intervening years, the banning of old forestry practices to ensure wood for the Admiralty, then enclosures, the industrialization of forestry, the draining of the forest, and now its restoration. He's seen it all. Today the forest felt more like it should seasonally, as we sat at the base of the oak listening to raindrops hitting the dried leafy woodland floor around us. The rain was light and not at all too bothersome, and in fact the noise of rain on leaf was quite mesmerizing and absorbing, leading to a pleasant feeling of calmness looking out into the forest from our semi sheltered perch. 

Burley Old Enclosure

Burley Old Enclosure, 122 acres enclosed in 1700.

Red Rise relax

I sat a while by Red Rise Brook this morning, the forest felt so welcoming and calm. Sitting in a sunny spot, the brook gently babbling as it passed, I relaxed and just breathed, melding into the forest. After carrying out a series of Awens, I basked in those moments of aural clarity you enjoy after performing a mantra. I could hear all the forest, above the babbling brook I could hear a myriad of bird calls, some melodic, some excited, so many songs though, in the enclosure beyond two ponies called urgently to one another, whilst in the distant woodland a woodpecker drilled. What a lovely morning for a meditative wander. Geoff's stopped jumping at me when I'm awen-ing now, which is nice, having a hound excitedly launch themselves at you was somewhat distracting from my meditative pursuits. 

Chettle Head Copse Ramsons

Chettle Head Copse is a small area of Dorset woodland bordering Wiltshire, mainly Oak and neglected Hazel coppice, by April it'll be carpeted in pungent Ramsons, their heavy garlic scent betraying them long before you see their white flowers. Already the young Ramson leaves are breaking cover and colonizing the woodland floor, along with the tips of Bluebell. We're surely standing on the cusp of spring, or are we? For the last couple of years seasonal tricksters have been at play, the illusion of spring has been just that, followed by a sharp cold or wet snap. The plummeting temperatures and sodden ground have played havoc on the allotment for all those who get their first crops in the ground early, luckily that's not me. I tend to be quite laid back with my planting and take a much more laissez faire approach to my gardening once the crops are established too, intervening as little as possible.  Imagine my joy at discovering that there was such a thing as a 'no dig' philosophy in vegetable gardening... oh hosanna! Still, an illusion or not at the moment, the wheel turns and spring will arrive soon.And, I must get down the allotment.

Highland Water environs

A strange light flooded the forest stands this morning, Brinken Wood and Camel Green were imbued with earth magic, you could almost feel nature crackling with the energy of anticipation... spring approaches. Although the way the sun beams down, and the warmth with which it does, could trick you into thinking that spring was already upon us, though it's not, nor should it be. And as much as I tried to ignore it, frequently that bugger 'nagging doubt' invaded my consciousness, it's February this isn't right, is this how the end'll come, dressed as a friend.  Still, even in that knowledge, and feeling a little guilty, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the the sun on my face as we wandered wistfully along Highland Water.

Gregory Curvey lino cut print

I first came across Gregory Curvey's work through a Fruits de Mer compilation CD in a friends car which happened to contain a track from his band The Luck of Eden Hall. It was an instant hit with me and had me pre-ordering the bands next album as soon as I got home. That was a good buy, as have been subsequent releases. Gregory is an artisan musician of the highest calibre, accomplished across the arts, as part of an ensemble or as a solo artist he's a much in demand talented multi instrument musician, beyond that he's also a fabulous artist, imaginative designer and craftsman... and to cap it all he's a nice guy. I think he's a fecking ace artist, I'd place him right up there alongside Todd Rundgren (my absolute favourite musician). His latest solo release under the name Custard Flux 'Helium' on which he wrote, produced and played all the instruments as well as reconstructing the harmonium the album was based around was a tour de force, and if you haven't checked it out, do so, you too will be blown away. Though I digress. As I mentioned Gregory's also has extensive craft skills and is a wonderful artist, so the opportunity to acquire a piece of original Curvey art was not to be missed. A couple of weeks ago he'd posted some pictures of a Valentines lino cut print he was working on, lovely. Lino cut prints, like their forebears woodcuts, use lines judiciously to best convey subjects and feeling to best effect, and Gregory's 'Love' carved into an tree does that perfectly.  Curvey posted that the prints were available from Michigan's Blue Sparrow Art, so I ordered one. The shop owner was really nice, helpful too and on discussing postage from the states (a repeating bugbear of mine especially in relation to bandcamp) I decided to trust the postal gods and have it sent letter post. The gods smiled on me and my lino cut print arrived this morning, and wonderful it is too. There's nothing like an original piece of art, I think it's the tiny little organic details which are smoothed out in most reproduction, that, and of course, it's real. Don't take my work though, check out Blue Sparrow Art and pick up a print yourself, you wont be disappointed.

Grey day

When the sun's shining you can easily forget that it's February, bathing in that faint warm glow, imagining spring has sprung. It came over really quite grey this morning as we sat amongst some veteran beech in South Oakley, and looking upwards I was reminded that winter still reigns.

February moon

February's full moon.

Wired

A coil of galvanized fence wire is firmly embedded in this silver birch tree.  Or it maybe two birch trees grown, really, really, close to each other, I couldn't properly make out.  The exposed wire of the coil looks in good shape, weather though still looking new. I don't know how long the coil's been there, although the tree's a reasonable size, birch is a fast grower, mind.  Still, I'd say the wire's been there for 20-30 years.

Burley Old clearing

Last month I posted about an enclosed cleared area I'd come across in Burley Old Enclosure, and I'd speculated as to its purpose.  One proposition I put forward was it might have been ritual and in some way associated with other man made (or enhanced) features that felt congruous to each other. I visit the clearing today, and what I discovered certainly lends some credence to that hypothesis. There's a fallen tree that truncates part of the cleared area, on it had been placed a natural wooden plate, on which were the remains of an offering of seeds. Quite significant, as a couple of weeks ago it was Imbolc marking the beginning of Spring, seeds are often used in Imbolc rituals or as seasonal offerings. It's certainly a great woodland setting for a ritual. I wonder if there'll be any activity at the equinox? We'll see.

Views from the Old Shaftesbury Drove

Took the opportunity to walk out in the Chase this afternoon, and what wonderful walking it was. The views from the Old Shaftesbury Drove, looking north towards the hinterland of Wiltshire and south towards the Ox Drove ridge, from which you can see clear across Dorset to the Isle of Wight and the Channel. Today was my first walk of the year without a hoodie or coat, and as lovely as it was (and it was), it's not right, not so early into February, really I should be hunkered under layers.