Getting lost in the forest.....
The last few weeks have been very stressful and difficult at work and there have been days when I've felt so tired, so exhausted and fed-up that I've come home in tears doubting my own ability to do anything. During hard times, it's important to keep perspective and to remind ourselves of the bigger picture, to notice little things that bring a sense of calm in this increasingly confusing world. My release has been immersing myself and my bike in the golden autumnal world of our English forests and getting lost amongst the trees has been the best medicine you could ask for.
The first weekend we visited Cannock Chase, a large pine and deciduous forest and heath just north of Birmingham. The photo above is part of their 'Follow the Dog' MTB route, which twists and turns amongst the trees. The following week M and I took part in the 'Roman Challenge', a 27 mile mountain bike ride through Northamptonshire, starting in Salcey Forest (below). We were lucky on both days, it was cold but dry, although a little muddy underfoot. The scent of mushrooms was so strong in places, but sadly they remained hidden. Salcey Forest is strangely famous for the fact that elephants worked there during the second world war to help with logging.
We've taken part in the Roman Challenge for several years now. It's run by the Women's Institute (WI) and raises money for the local villages. The WI are rightly famous for their homemade cakes and there can be no more pleasurable sign after miles of effort than the one below!
For the third week, our luck ran out weather wise. It rained (and rained and rained) the night before and the morning of the ride was foggy and damp. This time we were in Epping Forest, a royal hunting ground in Essex, very close to London. This forest has more deciduous trees than either of the other two and the ground was covered in a blanket of golden leaves.
Some places were so muddy it was impossible to cycle but it was also the best feeling of freedom to just get stuck in and get covered in mud.
This time it was impossible not to see any fungi, the forest was alive with fairy rings and cities of pale and fragrant toadstools climbing over every fallen trunk.
The first weekend we visited Cannock Chase, a large pine and deciduous forest and heath just north of Birmingham. The photo above is part of their 'Follow the Dog' MTB route, which twists and turns amongst the trees. The following week M and I took part in the 'Roman Challenge', a 27 mile mountain bike ride through Northamptonshire, starting in Salcey Forest (below). We were lucky on both days, it was cold but dry, although a little muddy underfoot. The scent of mushrooms was so strong in places, but sadly they remained hidden. Salcey Forest is strangely famous for the fact that elephants worked there during the second world war to help with logging.
We've taken part in the Roman Challenge for several years now. It's run by the Women's Institute (WI) and raises money for the local villages. The WI are rightly famous for their homemade cakes and there can be no more pleasurable sign after miles of effort than the one below!
For the third week, our luck ran out weather wise. It rained (and rained and rained) the night before and the morning of the ride was foggy and damp. This time we were in Epping Forest, a royal hunting ground in Essex, very close to London. This forest has more deciduous trees than either of the other two and the ground was covered in a blanket of golden leaves.
Some places were so muddy it was impossible to cycle but it was also the best feeling of freedom to just get stuck in and get covered in mud.
This time it was impossible not to see any fungi, the forest was alive with fairy rings and cities of pale and fragrant toadstools climbing over every fallen trunk.
This week we will be in Sherwood Forest full of the legends of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Who knows, maybe I may even see a ghostly archer on my travels.......
Perfect stress relief! Stress is rotten, isn't it. Don't let it win. Beachhutcook x
ReplyDeleteThank you, it's so easy to get lost in the rat race. The natural world gives you back a sense of perspective. Can so see why you hold your business meetings on the South Downs x
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