Samhain

The turning wheel has arrived at Samhain, last harvest, the meat harvest, and the end of a cycle. As we prepare to enter the darker half of the year, we take stock, reflect, and give thanks for our blessings. How was it for you? Did the seeds you planted back in spring bear fruit, did your plans pan out, were your goals achieved? I hope so. Out and about everything is dying back, the leaves are turning, adopting russet hues, and the forests' flora and fauna go into hibernation as the land slides into slumber. A well earned period of rest. Quiet and still, it's time to take a moment to honour those who've passed beyond the veil, to remember them. Brightest blessings at Samhain. /|\  

And breath

Our walk through the forest was undertaken at a fair pace; we completed 5.3 miles in 79 minutes; not bad eh. We took the all weather forestry track from Wood's Corner through the broad leaf and conifer mosaic of South and North Oakley enclosures, which finishes 4 miles later atop Mogshade Hill; although we only made it as far as Smokey Hole before turning back on ourselves. But for the chatter of birds high in the canopy the forest was all very quiet and still; walking was proper meditation this morning. A reliable walking surface allowed me to work on my breathing; practising what I'd describe as my version of box breathing on the flat, breathing through my nose, inhale 3, hold 2, exhale 3, hold 2 (more like rectangle breathing), and inhaling through my nose and out through pursed lips on the climbs; all the time trying to maintain a calm relaxed posture whilst sustaining reasonable cadence. I found myself a good rhythm; legs and breath working in harmony. A good walk.

Hasley enclosure

This is the first morning that you've really been able to feel Spring's in the air. The growing young Sun and fecund maiden Goddess have begun their courtship and nature hums with anticipation. We started out from Mogshade Hill, and ended up doing a tidy 8 miles, it was a lovely day for walking. At our furthest point we found ourselves over Fritham Plain way; I've not walked this part of the forest for years, and it was good to be threading the tracks here again...the views are smashing. This is a distant Hasley enclosure seen from the edge of Sloden as we made our way up and along towards the plain.

After the storm

We'd been lucky with the weather on our walk this morning, for the most part it was drier and balmier that the weather wizards predictions. Although, as we made our way up Mogshade Hill from the head water of Highland Water in the valley, a gentle rain began to fall. Wherever we walked today broken branches, severed boughs and truncated trees were visual evidence of Storm Dennis' recent passing. Every turn of the wheel brings more desolation to the forest. At one point near Wick Wood, three veteran beech in close proximity to each other had been floored since last we walked this way a couple of weeks back. The face of the forest is changing. Of course change is natural, it's a necessity, though the change, and pace of the change, we're experiencing now is far from natural. It's hard not to be saddened seeing a landscape you love and thought was timeless, disappear. Another lovely walk thoug

Testing testing

Looks like someone's been out in the woods testing their bushcraft skills, really recently too, those pine branches on top aren't too long cut, and there's still fresh food waste nearby. Nice little shelter, simple but effective, and definitely left to be reused. Interesting choice of site, it's a closely packed young coniferous plantation, though recently (last couple of years) damaged by fire, leaving it far more open and exposed that it would naturally be.  Still, the close stands provide good cover, enough to conceal a small fire from a distance, and a degree of shelter from the elements. More people practice their bushcraft/survival skills or wild camp out in the forest than you'd think. I come across the evidence regularly, and that doesn't include those who leave little or no trace behind them.

Resilience

 That's just showing off, man. The resilient Pine.  

Mogshade Hill

Adjacent to Mogshade pond is a small cluster of trees holding claim to hill's open summit, they show incredible tenacity and fortitude in their tenure, standing firm on what must be the most exposed hilltop in the forest. Time and the elements are against them though, weathered, battered and broken, they show the visible scars of countless elemental duels. Mogshade Hill has exceptional views, it's the perfect place to breath in the forest...and the pond is handy for washing your muddy hounds too.  

Food of the dead

It being Samhain, I thought it quite apt that we should come across this tree still decked in rosy red apples. What with apples (and nuts, also still bountiful in the forest) being a food of the dead. Still, I was surprised to find a couple of 'eaters' out here in the forest, they were on what would have been a low bank running along the former path of the A31, and it's tempting to think that they're the progeny of a travellers picnic. A sort of accidental Johnny Appleseed type affair. You know, as part of our national tree planting program we really should plant more fruit bearing trees as part of a local, seasonal, sustainable subsistence model. Can you imagine?

Fritham Cross Hill

The landscape can play tricks on you, this ancient Oak, hollowed out by lightning and time, often hides in plain sight. Stuck out on a exposed and open hillside you'd think you notice it right away, though it can be hard to spot. Lovely setting, mind. And worth a visit to say hello.

Mogshade Hill

I imagine the view eastwards over Lucas Castle and the wooded fingers of Highland Waters upper tributaries from Mogshade Hill hasn't changed much in centuries. For me it's a view which epitomizes what I imagine much of the forest looked like pre-forestry; wood fringed brooks, thicket clumps and open woods, set in swathes of open heath and mire. You know, thinking about it, some of these trees that crowd together on the eastern lip of the Mogshade probably remember those times.