November has brought some proper English rain: days of constant, steady rainfall from deep grey clouds that form a dense blanket across the sky, reducing the daylight to a semi dark twilight. Murky, miserable, gloomy, overcast, dim are all words that we use for weather like this, and the Scots have their own wonderful word for this kind of weather: dreich
On days like this I marvel at the amount of water that is held aloft in clouds, it can rain non stop for days, causing flooding down here on the land, and yet the density of the cloud above seems to remain constant. It’s estimated that an average cumulus cloud weighs around 500,000 kg and at any one time there is six times more water held in clouds in the atmosphere around the globe than in all of the world’s rivers combined. As I cloud watch on our walks I often think about the constant cycle of water across the planet: from a vaporous state in clouds, to a liquid state in oceans and rivers, and a solid state in the frozen cold places of the world. Of all of the known elements, water is unique because it is the only natural substance that exists in all three states under normal Earth conditions. Isn’t that something marvelous to ponder on cold and wet November day?
Most of our walks take in some form of water, there are the narrow brooks that criss-cross the woodlands, the chalk streams and rivers that flow alongside Waterford Marsh and through Panshanger, the shallow pools left from second world war bombings at Balls Wood and the deep gravel pit extraction lakes at Panshanger, now home to such an amazing array of wildlife.
All summer long the pebbles that line the woodland brooks were baked dry, but now they are once again submerged under a few inches of languid water. The stream strength is not yet enough to wash away the fallen autumn leaves that float on the surface but now the ground is fully saturated one more winter storm will swell the gentle trickle to a rushing, babbling flow. And we no longer crunch our way through the fallen leaves, their dry crackle has been dulled by dampness and underfoot the squelch of mud has replaced the baked earth of summer.
Back home inside is warm and cosy and there is some quiet calm, some gentle-paced sock knitting, and a little tentative pattern writing. I hope to pop back very soon with an updated version of my free knitted holly pattern. It was first written and shared in November 2007 and I have learnt a lot more about knitting since then so have re-written it with different increases methods. I just have to knit a few more samples and photograph them so will share a free PDF file in my next post.
‘Til then I hope life is treating you kindly and you are finding enjoyable moments in your days, see you soon, J x
little cotton rabbits 
I love your writing and your photographs (the lacy mushroom and birds in a circle blew me away) and your view of the world. Thank you.
MB Hansen
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So beautifully written-loved every word and sincerely wish you health and happiness and peace- thank you for sharing
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Julie & Toby,
Thank you both…
I so look forward to your emails! Julie, your words always warm my heart; Toby, your photos are a treat to my eyes and leave me feeling peace. And girl, your knitting…. I’m head over heels for that adorable pumpkin tea cozy, can’t wait for the pattern!
May you all have a blessed holiday season ~ Alejandra
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Thank you for the reminder to slow down and take time to marvel at the small wonders of the world. And perhaps knit a little.
You have filled my cup today.
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“I hope life is treating you kindly”….wonderful and so kind! I love the lacy mushrooms. Am curious about the holly!!
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The last post was positively dreamy. My home in Southern California has a much different flora. I especially like the mushroom photos. Thank you for sharing the beauty that you see around you.
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Julie,Your writing and photography are truly amazing, along with your knitting. Thank you for all of them. Heidi
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Beautiful pics Julie … especially the toadstools!
Lovely socks too, I’ve been knitting socks as well, they’re the perfect comfort knit at this time of year!
V x
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What a delightful post, Julie. You write beautifully and your photos are just stunning. Really lifted my heart to read about your walks and water. Thank you so much.
Wishing you a little comfort and joy every day.
Looking forward to the Holly pattern. I’ve been knitting Gnomes as they make me smile and are so easy to knit from leftover sock yarn!
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Just changed my profile to show my name this time. Hope it works! Thanks again, Julie.
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I love love your nature photos. Water is so interesting and so important. Where I live, in a high desert region, even though there are lofty mountain ranges, we are often in a drought cycle. We go months without measurable rain and I’ve come to value moody, wet days. I guess that’s the key to all things: balance. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos. I often feel like I’m along for your rambles.
Best: Bonnie
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Thanks so much Bonnie, I just wanted to send you love and warmest best wishes for Thanksgiving, I am grateful for your constant kindness and your friendship and I hope today that you are at the very centre of much love and kindness yourself
love to you my friend Julie xxxx
Sent with Proton Mail secure email.
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Dear Julie, I Love your Mails very much, especially the nice photos. I’m looking forward to your holy pattern. I knitted some animals from your pattern and like them very much! Thanks a lot!
Best wishes, Patricia
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Great pictures especially the clouds and the circle of birds. Natures so wonderful and you’ve caught it at its best.
Can I ask do you write your own sock patterns or whose patterns do you use. I want to have a go at some socks.
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I love your comments and photos we are getting 24 degree days at the start of summer here in Auckland NZ and to see you change into winter and all the different plants are beautiful. Thank you for making my day more interesting. Kay
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Julie, What wonderful pictures! I can just feel the peace and comfort seeping into my bones as I look at those beautiful places. Thank you. Lauralyn
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