Samhain

Samhain Blessings

Horse Hair

Bottles

All too frequently I find the detritus of peoples enjoyment carelessly disposed of. Constantly I muse on what their motivations were, they've ventured into the forest, they've carried full bottles, cans and containers of every kind, obviously to enjoy themselves in a beautiful place and yet they despoil the very environment they sort out to enjoy by leaving their empties behind them.

Sloden colour

Avon Water Autumn

This time of year the forest really becomes a beautiful patchwork of vibrant colour, the view from the mixed woodland alongside Avon Water, with Set Thorns Enclosure beyond show the effect well.

Hawklords

The Hawkwind family of bands were mainstay listening through my formative late teens and early twenties, the sound track to the events that shaped me and have continued to hold place in my heart. One branch of the Hawkwind family tree which shone particularly brightly were the Hawklords; their one album, 25 Years on, released in 1978 was a genre masterpiece; the Hawklords were short lived and gone by 1979. Never thinking we would experience them live, imagine my surprise when we learned they were playing locally. We was not disappointed, the original band members (those still alive) played a blinder, great tracks off 25 years on as well as other Hawkwind favourites, delivered with passion and competence. A top night with old friends, watching a band we all loved, you don't get much better :o)

Wilverely

Amtrak wars book 1 Cloud Warrior

I originally read this book in the early 1980's and recently decided to visit it again. Set in a post apocalyptic America hundreds of years after a devastating war, it focuses on the struggles between the descendants of those who took shelter in the government bunkers (the federation) and the descendants of those left on the surface (mutes). Mixing sci fi, fantasy and magic to create an engaging read, the series has run to 6 books so far.

Moo

Say what?

Holly

Common throughout the forest Holly (ibex) is a smallish evergreen tree reaching little more than 10m, although more often only a few metres high. It has smooth grey green bark and green branches, which bear shiny green spiny leaves. The female of the species bears poisonous red berries.

Ruts

Ruts, up to knee or thigh deep, furrow the tracks of Park Ground Enclosure and the musty sweet aroma of Pine resin fills the air as harvesting mature trees continues. Caterpillar treads spread into the surrounding woodland from the main tracks, selective trees removed to open up the stands, allowing the remaining trees more light, space and resources. The main harvest is taking place further in, here, other the occasional deciduous tree, whole areas are levelled.

Wood stack

Dew lines

Markway Heath

Lichen what I see

Easily missed as you stroll through the stands, Lichens are composite symbiotic organisms made up of a fungi and alga. They take many forms, all intricate and delicate.

Red Rise

Red Admiral

The Celts believed butterflies to be the spirits of their ancestors.

Old shelter

This shelter must have been a feature of Burley Old enclosure for some 10 years now, although a shadow of its previous glory the basic shape remains. Not for three years now have you been able to sit inside, and longer since it afforded any form of shelter from the elements. Still, it's amazing how long such a basic structure of scavenged boughs can retain a presence amongst the stands.

Autumn skies

Autumn in Burley Old

Autumn

Cider

With such a good apple season this year it would be rude not make good use of them; apples stewed, crumbles made, freezer filled and boxes of apples wrapped in newspaper, tucked away in the shed, all that was left was cider. So I've two demis' on the go, one made from next doors cookers (an experiment) another from eaters collected from a tree near the grannies leg (a notable local tree). Both should be ready for the Winter Solstice or possibly chips.

Stoney cross pond

Web server

A gossamer fine spiders web, strung between the lower branches of a mighty old Oak, is brought to life in an explosion of colour by the sun.

Nothing better

Fox

It's not until one rests a while by the banks of a woodland brook, in quiet contemplation, that the forest truly reveals itself. Insects busy themselves in the fleeting autumn sun, birds chatter, ponies lazily graze; then suddenly a sense of shock and wonder as a Fox saunters nonchalantly in the view. So accustomed to seeing foxes around town and therefore coming to associate them with the urban environment they appear out of place. That said, bushy tailed, and bright, it looks healthy and content as it uses its nose to navigate the stands on the hunt for a morsel.