WEEK EIGHT at last sees hotter temperatures in our part of the world. It is so very welcome here as the snow is really starting to thaw out and although the mornings are still particularly cold, the evenings are especially pleasant with the sun lying sharp above the mountains before slipping away at about 5.30pm.Continue reading “Mouse”
Dusk
WEEK SEVEN there is something wonderful about sitting out in the dusk at this time of year. After Valentine’s Day, there is always a palpable change in the air. The snow is slowly melting and patches of ground can be felt under foot again and a few birds have banded together to produce a protoContinue reading “Dusk”
A Higher Perspective
WEEK SIX gives us at last, a good break in the weather and we are up and out. Covid means that the local ski resort along the valley from us is shut, so we take the opportunity to drive up to the top of the plateau. To our surprise, many people have already gone beforeContinue reading “A Higher Perspective”
Sand
WEEK FIVE has been a constant on-and-off rain, rain and more rain with icy blasts and driving crossways winds. It has not been the most conducive for outings into the woods, I have to say. I have had to be content to wait, sometimes for hours for the rains and winds to pass before IContinue reading “Sand”
White
WEEK FOUR has been white, white, white; this part of winter heavy under its own weight of wild wonder; full of blizzards, bleakness, blustery squalls, the type of weather that gets into every nook and cranny and I feel submerged and struggling in the endless snow. I walk out and wander without motive, unable toContinue reading “White”
Sacred Death, Sacred Life
WEEK THREE has seen a huge amount of snowfall for us here in the Alps. We have well over a metre in the garden right now and it is hard to walk through the woods as the snow is wet and heavy and up above thigh height in the places where a footpath or pisteContinue reading “Sacred Death, Sacred Life”
A Little Bird Told me
WEEK TWO has been very cold, we have had nothing warmer than -4oc during the day for five days now. It has been harder to stay outside during this time, making sure that I keep moving as much as possible to keep warm, difficult for someone who has to stop and look at most everythingContinue reading “A Little Bird Told me”
Intertwining Tracks of the Forest
WEEK ONE It is the first week of the year. We have had a number of storms over the last few days and the snow is lying deep on the ground in layers, which has allowed me to follow the tracks of red deer, red squirrel and red fox in a patch of woods IContinue reading “Intertwining Tracks of the Forest”
Following the Circle of the Year
2021 sees me stepping out on the path for a new endeavour. I will be walking the circle of the seasons deep within the forest where I live. During the last few weeks, I have been clearing space, taking time to sit and listen and asking myself what next year wants of me and howContinue reading “Following the Circle of the Year”
Intuition
People ask me, “How can I improve my intuition?” and I have searched long and hard for an answer to this, believing it to be rather complex and convoluted but actually the truth is that there is one thing you can do right now that is really very simple but can be something people oftenContinue reading “Intuition”