On a dull, dreary, yet dry, finger-tingling morning Jackie and took a forest drive.
Golden gorse extended across the otherwise brindled bracken-layered moorland traversed by a solitary dog walker and flanking the eroding tarmac of Holmsley Passage.
I entered the woodland alongside Bisterne Close, passing a lattice of branches against the sky; a wildlife tepee built for sheltering small fauna and insects; a recently uprooted mossy tree; scattered bones upon the ground, on my way to
commune with a distant equine group, one pair of which were engaged in mutual grooming.
Back on the Close we noticed a recently fallen, sawn, arboreal giant, its golden core rings and fresh sawdust betraying its recent sectioning. This gold will not take long to turn grey, but many years to gradually disintegrate and return to the dust of the earth, eventually nourishing the next generations of oaks or beeches.
This afternoon I watched the ITV transmissions of the Six Nations rugby matches between Wales and Italy, and between England and France.
Dinner this evening consisted of succulent roast pork; crisp roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding; sage and onion stuffing; crunchy carrots; firm cauliflower and broccoli, and tasty gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Frappato-Syrah.
Gorse is seen as a pest here, having bought here by the colonials who probably thought it would create a similar use to their homeland. But the flowers always make it look beautiful.
The gold rings of a newly cut tree look both sad and magnificent … and old man who has stood eons if decades.
Thank you very much, Catherine
Your dinner sounds delicious. It’s hard to beat a roast dinner, I think!
Thanks very much, Nikki
Especially when it is roast pork.
I just love your walks and wanderings.. thank YOU
Much appreciated, Q
Beautiful shots of fauna, floral–and bones. I particularly like the set of pony photos.
Your gold and grey made me think of Robert Frost, even though he wrote “nothing gold can stay.”
Thanks very much, Merril
I don’t know about your tree, but I can affirm that freshly sanded and unsealed teak takes only a week or so to begin graying. Gray teak is fine for decks, especially since it provides a fine grip, but rails and such need protection: that’s where I turn into a ‘Martin’ of sorts.
Thank you so much, Linda. That will probably be the same with our tree.
Any day with a a forest drive and such a succulent meal has to be a good day. You’re waxing lyrical again.
Thank you so much, Pat
I love the bare branches against the sky. I seem to have gained an appreciation for bare branches against the sky this winter.
Thanks very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love this ancient forest with it’s moss and broken limbs! ❤️????????
Thank you very much, John
As much as I enjoy a flourishing tree, there is something rather special about the ones that for a variety of reasons needed to be cut down.
A good point, Sue, especially as we have them all around us. Thanks very much.
What beautiful artistic photos…you’ve captured nature in so many forms. And your descriptions are poetic. 🙂 Trees are so amazing…in all of the yearly seasons, and in all of the seasons of their lives. I so appreciate trees!
Nature’s golds are rare and can be so fleeting. ‘Tis a joy to see them! ❤️
(((HUGS)))
PS…YAY for mutual grooming!
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Did you enjoy the England game? I saw the last ten minutes.
I did not. We didn’t turn up. I just felt sorry for Genge. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
A cold, grey day in the forest, but still so much you found to share with readers. I always enjoy seeing the animals, too.
The growth rings of trees in a section like that are like reading a book of seasons over the years. I suppose one could say the tree’s memory is stored there.
Indeed, Lavinia. I might use that thought one day. Thank you very much
Looking at these photos, I am more aware of the wide-open spaces you have on the moors. I bet one could see a lot of stars out there on a clear night. Maybe even Northern Lights!? The moss looks rich and velvety. What a wonderful place you live in!
Thank you very much, JoAnna. You would love it as much as we do. Yes we do see stars, but we missed the Northern Lights recently because we we clouded over.
I appreciate visiting through your blog. Maybe the northern lights will come again.
Beautiful shots today, Derrick. Exactly what I needed.
Thank you very much, Jill
Here, you need permission to cut down trees but those professinal loggers sometimes get away with it.
Same here, Arlene. Thanks very much
No matter how dreary, your countryside provides a lot of flora and fauna for us to witness. Thanks!
Lovely but eerie walk. Always a lot to see and notice, which your writing beautifully illustrates.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Much appreciated, GP
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. A very poetic piece Derrick.
Thank you very much, Andrew
Beautiful pairing of your exquisite writing and fascinating photos!
Thank you very much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
I don’t remember your ever mentioning scattered bones oin the ground before. Is it very common to find bones in that way? Any idea what is the likeliest animal to finish up that way?
This was the first time, John. About the size of a small dog. A badger, maybe? Thanks very much.
You found beauty even on a grey day.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
The golden rings are impressive, but I am wondering whose bones these are.
Thanks very much, Dolly. I wondered, too. Perhaps the size of a small dog – I also wondered how it met its end.
Poor little beast.
I love seeing the horses. The pair who were engaged in mutual grooming captivated me. So beautiful!
Thank you so much, Jan. I trust the eyes are OK now
Thank you, Derrick. Healing continues.
Wonderful tour sir
Thank you very much, Gary
Gorgeous photos Derrick! And a delicious dinner!
Thank you very much, Ribana
Still looking very wintery
Yes. Getting a bit warmer now, though. Thanks very much, Sheree