Sunday 2 December 2012

Before I forget....

Thank you to everyone for your kind wishes about my mum.  We are spending a lot of time preoccupied with her and with her care, so I'm not at my computer much but will check everyone's blogs when I can and I do appreciate the comments very much!

In what free time I have, I am taking every chance to do something that is NOT involved with sickness, like our walk in Hermitage Woods, West Berkshire,  just a couple of weeks ago. It was before we had the high winds but we knew that we would lose the autumn leaves very soon and Hermitage Woods quickly took my award as Best Autumn Woodlands Ever.  They were planted with so many  different kinds of trees, each with their own characteristic appearance, undergrowth vegetation and even wildlife. 



Above is a general view,  but one of the best things was that there were so many details to examine, like this pretty silvery leaf...


and these orange leaves, almost like sparks fluttering in the wind. 



  Here's a blazing glade of yellow.    



Here, my shadow on the smooth trunk of a beech tree




Yellowed bracken caught the light. 



One area was almost dark, except where a small gold birch caught the sun.

 

Looking up, everything was blue and lacy


And here are burst chestnut-cases  their nuts long since scattered. .


Most of the time I took photos of  different kinds of fungi. I know not everyone loves fungi but I love to see beauty in decay.  I might post those another time.

The woods are Open Access land,. This means that their owners allow the public to walk there unrestricted.  We so appreciated their generosity.     So who owned them? We discovered it was the Gerald Palmer Trust, part of the Eling Estate.  I looked up the Gerald Palmer Trust and its objects are to:

"Advance the Christian religion more particularly according to the teaching and usage of the Orthodox Church. Advance medical research and the study of medicine. Relieve sickness and/or poverty."

 To that should be added "To lift the spirits and remind ordinary people of the beauties of Nature." 

46 comments:

  1. I really like the first picture... it says greeting card all over it. I enjoy this time of year purely for the colouring and the knowledge that when the leaves change new buds form. I hope your mother is feeling better.

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  2. nice i love the woods....and def you found a bit of treasure in them....smiles....best wishes and thoughts for your mum...that is hard...but i am glad she has you

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  3. What gogeous photos. You really have an eye for these beauties that nature offers. All best wishes for your mum's recovery.

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  4. Oh, Jenny, you have really done autumn justice with these photos and imaginative commentary. It is always so insightful and good of folks to leave land for others to enjoy since there is not an endless supply of it in a natural state. :) Continued best wishes to your mum!

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  5. I do understand what it is to help a mother through sickness, not fun, but needed.
    The woods are marvelous - i hope they lift your soul

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  6. I really enjoyed these beautiful photos as our leaves have been gone for some time. The photo looking up at the tree is one of my favorite shots to take when we are vacationing.

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  7. Fabulous photos! A difficult time for you - I hope things improve for your mum x

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  8. wow these are probably the most beautiful fall pics i have seen---prayers for your mum <3

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  9. These photos offer an abundance of peace and poetry. Beautiful!

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  10. So glad these trees have lifted your spirits. And don't worry about keeping up with everyone - we're not going anywhere, and we know that sometimes there's just too much Life.

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  11. Lovely pictures Jenny, must make a lovely break from your worries. Thinking of you.

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  12. Autumn is probably the prettiest time of the year, especially when it is bright, sharp and frosty

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  13. Beautiful autumn walk, here the winter and has taken over everything. A hug and good week.

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  14. Very beatiful Autumn´s colours, Jenny. Thanks.
    Take care!

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  15. Lovely photos. Thinking of you and your mum.

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  16. Funny but I feel like the place was familiar to me and I was walking there myself, feeling the soft leaves mulch through the soles of my feet. Beautiful pictures!
    The object in your new header is really something; its color, shape and material.
    I hope things will turn out better with your mother.

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  17. Wishing your mom a speedy recovery!

    Those photos are awesome! I'd leave all my worries behind if I get to walk in that forest. :)

    Take care.

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  18. I know I often rave on about the lovely warm weather in Arizona, but really nothing beats the beauty of the changing seasons here in the UK. Although I'd rather not have to drive on the icy roads I experienced this morning!

    Lovely photos.

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  19. Hello Jenny, I was immensely taken with all your Autumn photos - what an enchanting walk!
    Can only imagine how beautiful those photos of the fungi might be... will keep my eye open for that post especially!
    Good thoughts for your Mum,

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  20. Thanks for sharing your walk. It looks like a great place to take a break and restore your spirits. It is so difficult when a parent is ill, wishing you both the best.

    Darla

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  21. Seems like their mission statement fits you at this particular time. Long walks in nature is good for the soul and your post proves this. Hugs and prayers to you, hope your mom is doing better.

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  22. A walk in the woods really does lift the spirits, doesn't it. Your photos are wonderful. I do hope your mum is feeling a little better. Lots of love to you, Linda x

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  23. Some beautiful scenes there. The stunning autumn colours make up for the cold and dark that go with them.

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  24. Yes to beautiful nature and its restorative effects - sending you good wishes in this time.

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  25. Stunning photos Jenny and just the thing to refresh the spirit and the soul.
    (Thank you for your comment, your words touched me deeply)

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  26. Your photos are lovely. I like that you remember to look up and look down!

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  27. What a serene and yet startlingly colorful place to wander! I like fungus, BTW! *hint-hint* May the peace and calm of this place follow you into your days. :)

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  28. A gorgeous walk - for us as well as for you. Thank you so much. All health and blessings for your mum.

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  29. Didn't know about your mom, so had to track back. My best regards to your family.

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  30. I hope that all will be ok with your mum. I suppose that having to deal with our oarents' health issues is part if growing older.
    Thanks for a lovely walk in the park.
    Take care.

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  31. I often find solace while walking in nature. So I understand you very well. Nothing better than the beauty of nature to help you to feel better!

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  32. It's great to be reminded what proper autumn looks like Jenny. It's so long since I really saw a 'proper' autumn or spring.

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  33. What a great selection of autumn colors- I liked them all. Walking in a beautiful setting helps a lot – I find it so since my husband’s illness. Nature has a way to elevate our mood. I hope your mother’s health is getting better.

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  34. Your pictures are stunning. You are so talented! You have a way with words and the camera. And it is so kind of you to share both of your gifts with us!

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  35. I will be thinking about and praying for you and your Mum. That first woods picture is stunning.

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  36. Fabulous series of autumn foliage! This is another “stay gold” post. My favorites are No. 6 (the contrast of silver beech trunks, gold glow, and red leaves) and No. 9 (the atmosphere is clear blue all the way to the sky through lacy tree). I worship Nature. With best wishes for your mother.

    Yoko

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  37. Beautiful photos. I must visit the woods that I miss so much very soon. Best to you and yours.

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  38. Such walks in beauty must refresh your soul and lift your spirit. It feels good just to gaze at these photos. Soothed from your contact with Nature, I'm sure you bring peace to your mother's side.

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  39. Loved visiting this beautiful forest through your shots!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope your Mum is doing better.

    ***
    Have a nice week***

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  40. how is your mum doing?

    dont know that i remember that chestnut pic from last time...that is really cool...we used to play with those as kids...

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  41. Good afternoon, Jenny. You woods are so beautiful, almost magical. The image of half a person on the left in one adds a touch of mystery. The golden birches are like a lamp shining out of the darkness.

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  42. Hugs and prayers for your mum and you as well. These are truly a reflection of grace and calm and just the kind of soft dreamy views to linger about! Take good care Jenny- see you right here when we can.

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  43. I'm glad you are spending time with your mum but also getting out there for yourself.

    I love what you saw in these woods! Those smooth, grey beech trees with bronze leaves are reminiscent of Aspen in ... well, Aspen (Colorado). We saw dense woods of vertical, white trunks full of golden leaves one September many years ago. Anyway, there's nothing like nature for a "re-charge". I go for runs in the mountains (wary of mountain lions!) whenever it's not raining. Unfortunately, I don't bring my camera, not even a phone, since I'm going for the exercise. But I wish I could share all the views and gifts of nature I come across.

    All the best to you and your mum.

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  44. Oh, dear, I do hope things go well for your mum. I've done the aging parent thing in the past -- twice. It's hard, so my gentle counsel to you is that amidst all the stress of loving them, helping them, worrying about them and caring for them, take care of yourself as well. Double benefits -- it's good for you and what is good for you will ultimately be good for her, too. Hugs.

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