A vertical path leads to
the little woodland; footholds scarce. Upper body strength gets you into the
little woods. Two levels of trail, in this woodland: deer and badger. To follow
the deer: be nimble, leap the logs, span the hollows where the bracken lies fractured,
where bramble stems are snaking. To follow the badger: squat, duck, dodge the
low blackthorn. Forget everything for marvels found: how muscular that mushroom
and here a tree attempting flight? Watch the wind catch the root-tangle; the
whole structure tip and teeter on the bank; the almost-launch; the bounce and
retract. All around are failed flights: deer bound over them and skin off the
bark. Slither down the bank, muddy the stream; leave the little woodland for
some plain lane legwork, splash a few puddles to vary your stride. Over the
hedge, edge the mud, resist the wind, the rain that hurts, push back at the
air. If the tree were here it would fly: might even land in the river, splash
down like a wooden dragon… Risk a direct route through mud and drag your boots
to the planks of the stile. Just a matter of persistence now: the last hill,
the last grasp of sludge at your heels before a return to tarmac, an easy
stride to the door.
Ease off boots, peel off the not-quite waterproofs, step damp sock prints into
the warm cottage.
Catch up on gossip then: the four-slice toaster will be missed, you learn, but
the two-slice version that nearly went to the recycling point, the cheap white
plastic thing that was put in the pantry for no particular reason, that's
reinstated. It works and takes up less space.
Recommence talk of an outdoor gym.
Poach some eggs and make toast under the grill.
Your post, as visceral and paints a vivid picture as ever. How have you been, Lily? :-) Staying busy on my side of the pond.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully absorbing description. I watch for the wooden dragon, which is surely underway.
ReplyDeleteI love both pictures. More twisty trees! Lichen are always great for photos, too.
ReplyDeleteHello Teresa! I have been busy but it's hard to remember much more than all the recent lazy feasting :-) Back to work today! Glad you are keeping well and Happy 2014 :-)
ReplyDeleteGeo- darn but I miss having a dragon!
Thank you Mr Squid: we are quite spoilt for lichen and twisty trees here. And rather amazing to watch a tree bounce!