Highland Water

The forest, on the whole, is now clear of snow; the re enforcements needed never materialised and the snow, which had so valiantly endeavoured to maintain its grip on the countryside, had to concede defeat. Still though, through the trees, amongst the shades, glimpses of the white stuff can be seen, now more often than not, more slush than powdery snow.

Highland water, running clear and fast, flushed with the crystal waters from the retreating snow and ice, flows swiftly through the meanders, over gravel banks, cutting a deep swathe through Brinken wood. It's been a long journey from its source up on Ocknell Plain; now, below Roman bridge, Highland water courses through the open broad leaf woodland. Some of the Oaks here are immense, huge, mature leviathans, with well plated bark; amongst them areas of tightly packed Silver Birch race for the light, growing straight and sparsely branched. Throughout the wood redundant water courses, gullies and ditches still harboured ice, now though, a strange milky white.`The banks of Highland water show the seasonal deluge has been working hard, reshaping, removing and then redistributing the silts, clays and gravels of its excavations; subtly altering the course of the stream. I've always like this place, it feels right.