Walking in the woods is a regular activity for us but not something that I ever seem to do on my own. It's usually Toby and me that wood-walk and Toby is always very much in charge. There's never really time to stop and look at things when you walk with Toby. He receives the words 'wait a minute' with the same reaction you'd expect from saying 'never in a million years' and with much anxiety and handbiting so stopping for a moment to take pictures, look at a flower or just soak up the quiet woodsy atmosphere is not usually something I get to do. But yesterday I made the most of a few hours on my own.
After I dropped Toby off, I took to the woods in the quiet mid morning when the early morning dog-walkers had already passed through and no-one else was around. I did hear voices once through the trees but didn't actually see anyone. Being alone in the woods can be slightly disconcerting but these are familiar and friendly woods and I felt peaceful and calm.
We are so lucky here to be on the edge of some ancient woodlands that have protected status and while they are small when looked at on a map, the area is one of the largest oak/hornbeam woodlands in the country and you can easily walk for a day without going down the same path twice. Some of the names are fascinating and hint at lost histories:
Mortals wood, Emanuel Pollards, Thunderfield grove, Claypits wood, Bushy Pightle
Some of these give a clue as to what used to be there but I had to look up pightle, which was once a common word in the naming of fields and denotes a small enclosed piece of land for keeping animals, often attached to a cottage.
I followed the path around Toby's favourite patch of woodland – Bencroft. It's a well trod path passing beneath a canopy of various aged trees and with drifts of bracken in the more open areas.
Half way round there is a gate leading onto fields and I sat for a while there in the sun enjoying the view across the valley to the grounds of Beaumont Manor.
Then it was back through a denser part of the wood, peppered with leafy glades and smaller twisting pathways.
It was a lovely peaceful 3 hour walk and nice to go at my own pace and stop frequently to take pictures. Especially since the signs of autumn are appearing everywhere, with the trees laden with budding acorns and the brambles studded with fat, juicy blackberries.
It's made me determined to get out a bit more in the week when Toby is back at school and explore a bit further afield. Mind you it was nice to come back and put my slightly-aching feet up with a good book afterwards and I had a quiet hour of reading before it was time to pick Toby up again. Usually reading is an exclusively bed-time activity for me and the way that I like to wind down at the end of each day so I did get a bit sleepy and I might have dozed off for a bit too.
So, we are almost at the end of the school Summer break and I'm now out of Toby-free days. I didn't manage to tick everything off my wish list – I missed out on a picnic (unless you count chomping on an apple in the woods) and visiting somewhere new, but 3 out of 5 isn't too bad and I really enjoyed what I did fit in.
See you soon – once we've settled back into term-time routines again (Toby goes back to school next Wednesday) and thanks as always for dropping by to visit.
……………………………………..
PS: thanks to all of you who asked how H is – he's perfectly fine now thankfully!
little cotton rabbits 
A restorative walk. Just looking at your pictures was a tonic. By the way thank you for recommending Alicia’s Miss Maggie rabbit kit. I have ordered one and can’t wait for it to arrive.
LikeLike
Awe that sounds and looks lovely Julie! Your photos are beautiful and I can almost smell the woods! So glad you managed some much deserved time to yourself and hopefully when school begins again you will be able to have some more.
V xxx
LikeLike
your walk sounds wonderful, glad you got some very special time to take care of yourself x
LikeLike
That looks like a lovely walk, and an afternoon reading is always relaxing! Makes me want to spend some time with a good book and a cup of tea!
LikeLike
Your joy has such an impact on me. Thank you for taking daily life and always giving it a calm, beautiful voice. With 3 busy teenagers at my house, I have found that a half-finished rabbit on an end table or a pile of yarn on the couch are such great conversation starters. So many kids ask about how to learn to knit, or tell me stories of their young childhood-it’s amazing how a little bit of wool grounds them, even for just a moment. I love my simple “mom” life, and your challenges and accomplishments affirm and inspire me. Thank you Julie!
LikeLike
Such beautiful pictures Julie, there’s something so calming about a wood, almost as though its wrapping its arms around you.The greens are so restful too.A really lovely post. Have a good weekend.
Kate x
LikeLike
Awesome Post! Lovely photos! So glad you took us all along. ;o) Thank you
I LOVE those polka dot pants. I want them. Hee hee!
All the best as you transition back to the school routine.
LikeLike
You are very cool with pi’s and socks to match the cover of your book. I love the colour combination – one of my faves at the moment !
LikeLike
What a lovely way to spend your day :)There’s something so special about a walk in an English woodland and that looks like a very beautiful wood.
I hope Toby’s transition back into school goes well for all of you xx
LikeLike
Oh, it all looks so beautiful! It was fun to read your mention of hornbeams — I’d never heard of a hornbeam until we had a few at a house we once lived in — they were beautiful, big, tall trees. Have a good week with Toby — the way this year has flown by, Wednesday will be here in 10 minutes!
LikeLike
3 out of 5 isn’t too shabby at all! Glad that you enjoyed the time you had and did things that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise. xx
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos Julie. I live in an arid desert state and I love seeing the green lush country you live in. I wish I could gather a handful of those beautiful berries and even an acorn or two. Glad you had a great walk in the woods in such lovely solitude.
LikeLike
I am so happy I found your lovely blog! Beautiful photos indeed.
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures! What a lovely forrest to live close to. My family try to go for a little hike every now and then and I always love it tremendously.
LikeLike
it was lovely to share your walk with you – Autumn is well upon us & the Summer gone. It is a lovely time of the year with beautiful colours as nature becomes sleepy ready for the Winter to come. My son starts year 11 on Wednesday – a worrying year at school as we have no idea of what will happen at the end of it. Fingers crossed that Toby’s new term goes well. Thank you again xx
LikeLike
Whose woods are these, I think I know…
I loved seeing these photos and reading about your walks. I enjoyed seeing the old names too, especially Mortals wood, that one really captures my imagination. I’m thinking of angels and fairies in the trees.
LikeLike
I could feel the relaxation in your pics. Yay for days off !!
LikeLike
We had a small patch of woods near our home. Too scary since there was a black bear in there somewhere, but I love the birds and the quiet.
LikeLike
What a lovely walk, its remarkable how different these walks can be when not in the company of others, when we are able to go at our own pace as you have here. I hope you will enjoy Birds Without Wings, I know I did. I also loved Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – I never did see the movie which received terrible reviews and sadly turned lots of people off the book I think. Wishing you more walks like these 🙂
LikeLike
Your lovely post has reminded me how much I love the woods in Autumn. My closest ones are a little way off, but I feel I must pay them a visit soon.
LikeLike
Please, keep writting!!,
LikeLike
It’s 11.10pm…and I’ve just been on a sunny walk in your woods! Lovely post. Thank you for sharing. Hope Toby settles back at school next week. I thought of you and Amy last weekend…visiting the family we found that our niece…off to art college next week… now has long pale lilac hair …and it looks lovely! Jxx
LikeLike
What a beautiful patch of woodland. We all need space to think and space to move around in, and what better place than woodland? J x
LikeLike
Such a peaceful and restoring walk–a lovely conclusion to your at-home holiday! And love the pictures of the acorns and blackberries–it’s definitely starting to feel autumnal now. xx
LikeLike
Simply beautiful. I sincerely hope you have other opportunities soon to enjoy such a lovely walk in solitude and peace.
LikeLike
Sounds lovely and divine. My doctor said that I need to take up hiking to strengthen my knee. Your photos have encouraged me to do so! So beautiful!
Good luck with Toby! I admire you. I truly do. Someday, I hope to sit down with some biscuits and tea and have a good long chat with you in person.
LikeLike
Your adventures sound lovely. We love walking through forests and wish we were closer to larger ones. It is very peaceful, for some reason, to find oneself tramping along under a soft canopy of trees. Maybe it’s the muted light. Thank you for sharing your holidays – I think 3 out of 5 is a great record! (Usually I’m cheering for 2 out of 5!) Good luck and Godspeed to you this week!
LikeLike
I so enjoy reading your blog and pictures of an English wood were delightful – living in Australia has many benefits but there is nothing quite like the English countryside.
Thank you for sharing your day.
LikeLike
I think the apple count’s as a half! What a beautiful walk. I was out with the kids at the weekend and realised I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been out for a long walk on my own…something I used to do regularly. I’m inspired to get out there and enjoy my favourite season.
Oh…and I’ve just finished bunny in a polka dot dress. What fun I had making her and she’s beautiful. She’s destined for a little friend, but I’ve enough yarn to make one for my little girl, who is very much in love with her. Thank you for such a perfect pattern.
LikeLike
beautiful woods i my self love trees.
LikeLike
The Fair Isle patterned sweaters for the little cotton rabbits are lovely. Excited to think that they will be a pattern for us to share someday soon.
LikeLike
I love to read of your peaceful days – I know that they are hard earned and that every moment is precious and this makes them very special. I can feel my shoulders drop and any little worries vanish as I join you in the woods or sitting in your garden knitting.
LikeLike
A lovely blogg,the woods look stunning and so peaceful.
LikeLike
How did I miss this beautiful post … your images are restorative … I can almost hear the trees rustling!
LikeLike
I read that book: cruelly beautiful!
I’m knitting a second little fox by your pattern. They are lovely, and the patterns are really well written: THANK YOU!
LikeLike