Tracks in the Snow

 Well there was a brief thaw and the weather is definately a little bit warmer than it has been but winter is still with us though there is no doubt about it, I feel changes around me. The Alder's Cones and catkins are out in profusion (though admitedly they have been all of winter), the lime tree outside my caravan seems redder than ever and when I wander the meadows and the lanes there is a definate scent of greenery in the air, it is subtle but it most definately is there.

 There are new bird songs in the garden now and last night I was fortunate to hear a beautifull nightingale outside. A little secret, when I was a girl about 10 years old I used to wake up, surrounded by the silence of a slumbering house I would open my bedroom window and listen to the sweet sound of a nightingale, I felt the nightingale was there just for me. It was nice to have its return. I had also noticed a few new species of songbird in the garden including a Fieldfare which my mum was very curious about.

 Today was spent out in a local forest collecting dead birch (I am planning on making a lot of pitch soon) and a few horses hoof fungus (for amadu tinder). It was a beautifull day, if a bit cold, and the forest showed sign of deer, I could see where the dirt was exposed in the snow and they had layen up. There was also feeding sign of Woodpecker and squirrel, we are fortunate around here to have red squirrel and I saw a beautifull healthy one just the other day.

 Really I am truly blessed with this bountifull territory of mine, I just wish the logging would not penetrate so ferociously my sanctuary. I keep racking my brains to try and find a way to protect it, no matter what endangered species there are in the area or how they are brought to light the forestry commision just waves it all aside. I will endeavour however to do my best regarding the matter.

                                                   Tracking in the Eerie Enchanted Forest

Where the Wild Boar Roam

...and the Deer Dance

Otter Tracks in my friends garden

Some Fox tracks on the way to the frozen Loch

There were quite a few and it looks like more than one

I followed them through the field

And arrived at the mysterious frozen loch

The Silence of Winter.....

 I feel I must appologise ,for being more than lax in updating, but who too? I allmost forget that I have decided to keep this blog secret and only for those that stumble upon it. Still I must promise myself not to just go silent whenever my life gets busy or takes a turn.

 I tend to be somewhat of a sociable hermit at times, taking to the wilderness and forests and hills as and when I can. I normally enjoy this time of year as the tourists leave the wilderness around my home and only myself and a few kindred spirits wander there.

 The land has been truly beautifull this winter and colder than normal, the hills and forests blanketed in virgin snow. The loch near to me was even frozen over, a gorgeous and magical sight to see and place to wander at dusk. I crossed the loch and managed to venture into a part of the forest I otherwise would have been unable to get to and immediately in my imagination I was transported back to being a wee girl wandering the forests with Chris.

 There has been sign of bountifull wildlife and I have been very fortunate to see birds of prey, foxes, deer, wild boar and when out collecting willow for baskets a huge dog otter.

 The course I am on has been going well and camp is very beautifull although I constantly feel I am skating on thin ice with the instructors and I must admit the amount I have to know and practise is a little overwhelming but I am incredibly determined!

 I spent some time in London in December Modelling for a couple of different photographers. I distinctly remember being glammed up with fantastic hair and makeup, the set was on location in a coutryard in an expensive bussiness area of london surrounded by skyscrapers, I thought "Wow I am actually a model, and I am modelling in London, this is not me! Get me back to the hills" but the images did add to my portfolio even if I did find the whole experience a bit well shallow.

 Give me the freedom of the wilds, creative expression, stories and music.

 My pulse beats to the rythm of the earth and I want to dance.....