Unexpected visitors

Ann Follows came by the wood today to talk around the project called Spell Songs, words from Robert Macfallen's Lost words put to music, which Janet Koralambe with the help of Waveney and Blyth Arts, hopes to stage (outside) in Halesworth next year (COVID permitting). That being the reason she came. As soon as she…

KFS Wood working day

Oh were we blessed with fine weather, almost shirt sleeves. We gathered, us 4 directors Kym, Louisa Mell and I, joined with Megan and Leon. Mell - still recovering from her operation - sat in a chair and sharpened knives, while we worked around, and she threading ideas into our spheres. November 2020, four directors…

Walking Forest Gate to Epping

On a bucket list, and with the recent noticable deterioration of joints, if not now when gave an urgency. I'd returned to London to administer to a much improved Barry (double 'ernia), and having spent all the first day in 3 zooms and far too long on computer screen, I was determined to walk out.…

Socratic Dialogue in the woods II Limits of Friendship

I found this question unexpectedly on a journey. Traveling up to the Lakes with Michael, we stopped at LangAr, the home of my friend Louise. We had become particularly close during a time of death and deep sorrow for both of us, and it had been a while since we’d seen each other, but we…

UpShoot Theatre to the woods

Almost a year ago to the day, last year Woodwose came to the woods. UpShoot just scraped in, post new COVID-19 regulations of the Joy of Six, and we gathered in one of the last glorious weekends of September in Kaliwood, hungry for theatre. We were not disappointed, it was a blast. Michael Imison's review…

Socratic Dialogue in the woods

Blessed with glorious September warm weather, lowering sun filtering kindly through oaks, we gathered in Kaliwoods to talk around the question: When is it right to disagree (and act on it). I'd worked on the same question in a 5 day Socratic dialogue in Springe, with Unathi as facilitator all 5 days of it, over…

When I am among the trees by mary Oliver

WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREESby Mary Oliver When I am among the trees,especially the willows and the honey locust,equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,they give off such hints of gladness.I would almost say that they save me, and daily.I am so distant from the hope of myself,in which I have goodness, and…

Ubbeston Wood

Thanks to the recommendation of both Jon Illes and Bill Jackson, this was our destination today, via the Huntingfied Queen Oak. We both felt so good to be away from a computer screen and out into the land around us, particularly here where the land folds and ancient coppice edges the narrow lanes. Surprisingly Ubbestone…

Huntingfield Queen Oak

It had been far too long since our lockdown days of visiting woods under our noses. It was Michael who nudged me to be away from computer screen today Sunday and we got here as a consequence of lockdown. Having dinner for 2 half price at the Huntingfield Arms one evening, sitting outside, two woman…

Oak Galls and Knopper Galls and Wasp eggs on oak

It is a year of seeing Galls, and learning about them. The Knopper galls abound. A photo of 3 growing on one acorn. I have yet to collect enough oak galls to make the ink, but keep looking. This photo from July of fresh green galls forming, and an old gall cut in two. The…