On a bitter, wintry day I walked up onto the Tableland to have a look at the beginnings of things. Any day now, the snow would come. Already there was a dusting in crevices and on a few dark green nests of moss. At this time of year my need to get out becomes fierce. I get an urge to visit as many of my favourite places as possible. Hurry. Soon they may be denied to you by ice and …
At a time when none of autumn’s brightness remains, I’m loving our witch hazel. Although it’s only a common hamamelis virgininiana, this five foot shrub has history for me. The haunting, pure fragrance, unlike any other, has meant late autumn for me since I used to be cheered by the one growing at my childhood woodland home. Much later, when we lived at Foley Mountain I was pleased to find witch hazel sprouts listed in the catalog of a native …
Shaw Woods, a majestic old growth forest near Cobden would be a magical place to visit on any day, but to walk its trails in autumn is unforgettable. Growing up, as I did in a small beloved woods, has meant that trees feel like family to me. Caring about them is a ground for everything else in my life. So spending a day exploring a small part of what this special place has to offer was a moving experience …