A Walk in Southery Wood
A welcome respite from the kitchen
Some of you may have noticed that the ‘time off’ category on this site is a little short on content, that’s because I haven’t been getting any (time off, I mean) I fully intend to rectify this situation in the new year with some eagerly awaited annual leave.
This morning was my first day off in a fortnight and, as much as I had to do, nothing was going to stop me from going for an early morning walk. Working in a hot and busy kitchen makes one crave fresh air and a brisk walk on a winter’s morning helps to clear the head of the stresses and strains of running a kitchen in December. So, shrugging off the lingering affects of my bout of ‘man-flu’ I headed towards the village of Bardney and to Southery Wood.
This is an ideal place for me to come to, no more than ten minutes away from where I live and I can enjoy complete peace and tranquility at any time of the day. This is a great place to observe the changing seasons; spring offers carpets of emerging snow drops, wild flowers attract an abundance of butterflies and bees in the summer whilst the sights and sounds of wood pigeons cooeing, pheasants scurrying and squirrels darting make for a wonderful soundtrack to an autumn landscape.
Now that winter is here, the land changes again. The trees are bare, the ground a mass of fallen leaves and muddy tractor prints and all but the bravest of wildlife hiding from the December chill. I am completely alone, utterly quiet save the sound of a passing car in the distance and the occasional shot of a farmers gun. The woodland sits in a freezing shutdown, it’s like walking in monochrome with blackened plants and silver birch, the blues and greens of summer a distant memory.
Walking through Southery Wood is an escape, an hour or two of freedom in the Lincolnshire countryside. It is my time and it is time well spent. I am cold but happy, I have been here since eight thirty and it is almost lunchtime. I must leave because the routine of daily life demands it and the vulgarity of Christmas shopping awaits me.
Great write up and fotos, particularly like the last one, is it the new lens ?
I’m surprised I’ve never heard of the wood before - goes to show there’s much mre to Lincolnshire than even those living there realise.
Rod
December 17, 2007 @ 9:17 am
Rod,
Thanks, yes it was a quick shot with the 100-400mm. Might concentrate my efforts on these a bit more.
Miles
December 17, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
Miles,
Your brief escape sounds very enticing, far from the madding crowd.
I liked your photos and the last one is certainly a winning shot.
December 17, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Miles,
I have a love of seed heads in winter and all things twiggy in general, my house is full of them in one form or another.
Today I managed to saw the end off the Christmas tree trunk and drag it into the lounge. This year’s effort is a perfect height and structure and if any decorations should make it that far, it’ll look splendid. Honestly Miles the work I’ve had to put in to clean up this place and create a festive feel for the aging Tuesday Gang, I shall require a whole day off on Wednesday
Cid
December 17, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
Cid,
I just hope they appreciate it-if not,you know where to stick the cracker!!
Miles
December 17, 2007 @ 10:40 pm