Woodlife Trails

I went to see the old folks in my home town this weekend. On the way back (on a whim) I decided to look at the house where I spent the first 6 years of my life. Remarkably, despite a few wrong turns to cater for new roads and new builds, I found the old house. From there it was easy to find the woods I used to play in. In my very first post I mentioned that I was always the last kid out of the wood and often (despite my young age) went to the woods on my own. I spent many a happy hour climbing the trees, wandering along the tracks and netting newts in the pond.

Although not dressed for the occasion, I couldn’t resist taking a walk. The main tracks had been graveled over making it a more recreational wood, but the east side was how I imagined it was… well as much as I could imagine it some 40 years on!

Of course I was looking at the woods with new eyes, and I was pleased that they were well managed and maintained. The wood seemed alive with birdsong and activity. After a while I came across the same pond that I spent so much time collecting frog’s spawn and newts. The pond now had a fence around it I suppose for health and safety reasons. I became quite emotional which is strange for me. The experience culminated shortly after this when I came almost face to face with a Roe deer. After what seemed an eternity, I slowly reached for the camera, but she was gone.

These were my first woods and probably formed my early love for woods and nature. Whenever I visit the folks I’m drawn down memory lane, but on this occasion particularly so. Perhaps I should visit more often. Perhaps I should move nearer my folks as they get older. Perhaps, perhaps.

I’ll post the next part of the Spring Bushmoot review mid week.

Cheers for now

Pablo.