On Bennachie by half nine-ish simply by virtue of an overnight horse/dog/housesitting gig.
Preternaturally still in the woods, damp and mild and `autumny` with that poignant smell of decay.
Almost a relief to break the treeline and then reach the top where a freshening breeze was swirling a few bits of wispy grey cloud around.
And if it wasn`t for an early start I`d be out now - stunning full moon and still mild. However, duty (and, on the radio if I get to bed quickly enough, the last few minutes of the Ryder cup)call.
Sunday 30 September 2012
Friday 21 September 2012
Friday 21.09.2012
Never know how split shifts will work out but took boots - and dogs - and in the event managed to get up Mither Tap with time to spare.
Down to shirt sleeves in the woods
but it was hats and hoods on the top as curtains of freezing rain swept across the landscape with dramatic black clouds passing over so close you could have hitched a ride.
And then back in the woods:
Reminds me of a fascinating book:
In the Company of Mushrooms: A Biologist's Tale by Elio Schaechter
One of those books written by an expert but readable by anyone:
you`ll never look at them in the same way again.
Down to shirt sleeves in the woods
but it was hats and hoods on the top as curtains of freezing rain swept across the landscape with dramatic black clouds passing over so close you could have hitched a ride.
And then back in the woods:
Reminds me of a fascinating book:
In the Company of Mushrooms: A Biologist's Tale by Elio Schaechter
One of those books written by an expert but readable by anyone:
you`ll never look at them in the same way again.
Thursday 20.09.2012
Not many more of these post-work evening walks. The icy wind had dropped and the still, cool atmosphere was pure autumn, grey clouds piled up on one horizon, the sun sinking towards the other
The beasts in the field stood as if waiting for something:
you could almost imagine they were contemplating the fact that their time out in the fields is drawing to an end - you could imagine that but....well, they`re cows so they`re probably not.
The light in the woods was magic
and I thought the sky might catch fire as the sun finally disappeared but in fact it was a case of fade gently to grey.
And as a crescent moon made an entrance from behind a cloud we arrived back just in time to put the poultry away, fetch in the washing and then settle down to watch an episode of Treme** and enjoy the chicken casserole that had been simmering in the slow cooker all day.
Now thats what I call a plan coming together.
**Treme: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1279972/
The beasts in the field stood as if waiting for something:
you could almost imagine they were contemplating the fact that their time out in the fields is drawing to an end - you could imagine that but....well, they`re cows so they`re probably not.
The light in the woods was magic
and I thought the sky might catch fire as the sun finally disappeared but in fact it was a case of fade gently to grey.
And as a crescent moon made an entrance from behind a cloud we arrived back just in time to put the poultry away, fetch in the washing and then settle down to watch an episode of Treme** and enjoy the chicken casserole that had been simmering in the slow cooker all day.
Now thats what I call a plan coming together.
**Treme: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1279972/
Thursday 20 September 2012
Wednesday 19.09.2012
Out earlyish, ridiculously cold wind but bright and sunny: could have walked to John O`Groats and back before lunch (even if wouldn`t have been able to move for the rest of the week).
It was simply one of those spirit-stirring days where the legs want to keep going for ever, the air is scouring out the lungs and the dogs are up for anything.
However, not yet brave enough to live entirely on my wits and adopt the life of a losel ** so back we came after an exhilarating hour and so to work.......
As an alternative perambulation, two days ago,on my return north from family duties (and most pleasant they were) I was able to spend a nostalgic couple of hours in the city of my birth:
fab buildings,
iconic landmarks:
beautiful bridges (something very special about bridges anyway but that`s another topic), Botanic Gardens, punts moored on a green river
everywhere weeping willows,
and reminders of childhood holidays (and we didn`t have to pay £5.00 to visit college grounds!)
**
Lots of folk live on their wits:
Lecturers, lispers,
Losels, loblolly-men, louts-
They don't end as paupers;
from Toads by Philip Larkin
It was simply one of those spirit-stirring days where the legs want to keep going for ever, the air is scouring out the lungs and the dogs are up for anything.
However, not yet brave enough to live entirely on my wits and adopt the life of a losel ** so back we came after an exhilarating hour and so to work.......
As an alternative perambulation, two days ago,on my return north from family duties (and most pleasant they were) I was able to spend a nostalgic couple of hours in the city of my birth:
fab buildings,
iconic landmarks:
beautiful bridges (something very special about bridges anyway but that`s another topic), Botanic Gardens, punts moored on a green river
everywhere weeping willows,
and reminders of childhood holidays (and we didn`t have to pay £5.00 to visit college grounds!)
**
Lots of folk live on their wits:
Lecturers, lispers,
Losels, loblolly-men, louts-
They don't end as paupers;
from Toads by Philip Larkin
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Tuesday 11.09.2012
Felt like a long day at work after a late, adrenalin-fuelled night (OK - only lying in bed, listening to Andy`s win but it was exhausting!) but revived by a scramble round the woods embarked on before I had time to change my mind and sink into an armchair.
Temperature plummeted in the cold, cold wind but gleaming evening light,a rainbow, bright blue busy sky full of white, grey and black clouds doing a bit of scudding, and the first sound of migrating geese....
And in the dusk as we returned, flocks of noisy crows heading back belatedly to their roosts - an almost wintry sight.......
Temperature plummeted in the cold, cold wind but gleaming evening light,a rainbow, bright blue busy sky full of white, grey and black clouds doing a bit of scudding, and the first sound of migrating geese....
And in the dusk as we returned, flocks of noisy crows heading back belatedly to their roosts - an almost wintry sight.......
Sunday 9 September 2012
Sunday 09.09.2012
Lots of walking - as in sorting the sheep, cleaning out the poultry, hanging out four loads of washing, up in the loft finding things for a car boot sale (all in a good cause, watch this space)and a cursory bit of gardening - but nearly didn`t go walking .
Did though and good job: 10 to 6 with day and weather on the turn, darkening sky, cloud moving in,
wind springing up setting the beasts galloping exuberantly up and down the fence line as we passed with much snorting and kicking up of heels.....which then needed cooling off......
Did though and good job: 10 to 6 with day and weather on the turn, darkening sky, cloud moving in,
wind springing up setting the beasts galloping exuberantly up and down the fence line as we passed with much snorting and kicking up of heels.....which then needed cooling off......
Wednesday 5 September 2012
Wednesday 05.09.2012
Early September continues like....well, early September. Large skies full of cloud, the sun still warm but a cool breeze.
Perfect for tramping round the woods but with the massed ranks of combine-harvesters drowning out any birdsong:the rush is on to get the job done now, many working into the night earlier this week with a real harvest moon illuminating the scene.
So, mild enough but shorter, back-to-school days; chillier nights;the last festivals of the season;leaves still on the trees but poised to start falling; grass still green but slowly beginning to die back. We`re at the court of Janus once more, watching summer recede in one direction and turning to face the oncoming delights of winter.
Time to stock up on the malts and big thick books. That`s books, though big thick boots not to mention socks might also be a good idea.
Perfect for tramping round the woods but with the massed ranks of combine-harvesters drowning out any birdsong:the rush is on to get the job done now, many working into the night earlier this week with a real harvest moon illuminating the scene.
So, mild enough but shorter, back-to-school days; chillier nights;the last festivals of the season;leaves still on the trees but poised to start falling; grass still green but slowly beginning to die back. We`re at the court of Janus once more, watching summer recede in one direction and turning to face the oncoming delights of winter.
Time to stock up on the malts and big thick books. That`s books, though big thick boots not to mention socks might also be a good idea.
Sunday 2 September 2012
Sunday 02.09.2012
Also, meant to give two talented young writers an unashamed plug: older and wiser (?) they may be now (see Frankiesoup`s post of 26.08.2012)but this is a romping good read and stories for this age group should be angsty and passionate!
Jacqueline by Jenni Clapham and Fran Moldaschl
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jacqueline-ebook/dp/B0092ETW5Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346579508&sr=8-1
Jacqueline by Jenni Clapham and Fran Moldaschl
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jacqueline-ebook/dp/B0092ETW5Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346579508&sr=8-1
Saturday 1 September 2012
Saturday 01.09.2012
A blustery warm afternoon buffeting us up the road and round the woods, dramatic light,
splendid cloudscapes
and just the thing for a first proper walk since returning from travels.
Back in body last Monday night but spirit has only just caught up after an excellent time at Shambala - more good music, late night films, every kind of crafty workshop you can think of, dressing-up, dressing-down not to mention cross-dressing and yet more fireworks.
And to discover Simply Simon`s while killing time before the train on a Bank Holiday Monday in Market Harborough was an extra treat - ham and eggs of the highest quality.....not to mention good coffee.
In the meantime finished Nick Harkaway`s second novel
- un-put-downable and great fun if not quite such a wild ride as The Gone Away World
and back at the ranch.....new kitchen cupboards and more and more firewood........
Winter? Bring it on(but maybe not just yet).
splendid cloudscapes
and just the thing for a first proper walk since returning from travels.
Back in body last Monday night but spirit has only just caught up after an excellent time at Shambala - more good music, late night films, every kind of crafty workshop you can think of, dressing-up, dressing-down not to mention cross-dressing and yet more fireworks.
And to discover Simply Simon`s while killing time before the train on a Bank Holiday Monday in Market Harborough was an extra treat - ham and eggs of the highest quality.....not to mention good coffee.
In the meantime finished Nick Harkaway`s second novel
- un-put-downable and great fun if not quite such a wild ride as The Gone Away World
and back at the ranch.....new kitchen cupboards and more and more firewood........
Winter? Bring it on(but maybe not just yet).
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