Issue #43 Misc Adventures Digest
A mostly photographic journey through golden valleys and craggy peaks
Hello there. A slightly different format this week; photo heavy with annotations where needed of our latest slow adventures. I’ve opted for this format as it’s been a busy week and I wasn’t sure what to write. I’ve enjoyed it though and might do more like it. What do you think? Stay tuned to the end for a bonus video!
A surprise sunny day led us to an impromptu slow wander around one of our favourite places to watch the seasons change. Tangled oaks and birches cling to the rocky valley sides here, with many nooks and crannies to explore and the rushing river providing good company.
The river flows less vigorously than expected, yet still full of force. The river is generous in sharing its energy; walking by the rushing water lifts our spirits, yet immersing our bodies and feeling its weight takes it one step further.
Benji plays by the water, dropping sticks and leaves into channels and mini waterfalls, seeing where they end up whilst we take turns to dip into our favourite pool. The water is getting colder each week, but the sunshine makes it easier to be tempted in. We know from last year that if we want to keep getting in the water all through the winter, we need to keep it up, building a tolerance for the cold.
“This plunge into the cold water of a mountain pool seems for a brief moment to disintegrate the very self; it is not to be borne: one is lost: stricken: annihilated. Then life pours back.”
Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain
The leaves are golden and the whole valley, even the air itself, seems to glow. In places birch trees have been entirely stripped of leaves by the strong easterly winds that tore through the woods and mountains a few days before. Several trees have blown down, and snapped branches hang precariously above our heads. I am fascinated by fallen trees; this process of death and decay is integral the woodland ecosystem, dynamic, and dramatic. A fallen tree is an opportunity, creating space for new life, for succession.
We explore the rocky path, finding tiny saplings that have taken root in cracks and crevices, trees with roots that creep over boulders in search of soil, and enjoy the meditative nature of carefully placing one foot in front of the other. With no summit, peak, or destination in mind, it feels good to simply amble along at the pace of the season.
The next day, the small summit of Green Crag in Eskdale gave us something more specific to aim for. We have hiked this area extensively since moving here, but this route guided us to a hidden hillside covered in beautiful juniper scrub; a treat we were not expecting. Many of the fells are denuded, missing these tangled scrubby places that add dynamism and life to the mountains. We watched tiny goldcrests flit to and fro, with golden crowns and high pitched chirps and we peered into dark, tangled, crooked roots looking at lichens.
Many of the bushes were creeping low and prostrate, flattened by the wind. Others more pyramidal, spire-like and tall. Juniper berries were still pale green, not quite ready to harvest. Despite appearances, the berries are not really berries at all, but tiny cones like those found on other conifers.
A land of contrasting light and dark greeted us as we climbed higher into the fells. Warm as spring in the sun, cold as winter in the shade.
Dry grasses, stalks of bog asphodel and bracken rustle in the breeze. We notice large holes around the base of each stem of dead bracken, created by the swaying motion as they move back and forth in the wind. The wind may be invisible, but its footprints can be seen everywhere in the landscape.
The summit is an easy climb. It’s been a longer, slower walk than we planned, but that’s no bad thing. It has been good to be out on the hill all day with the juniper, the bog myrtle, the goldcrests and the rock, simply Being.
Here’s the video as previously mentioned. I couldn’t find any music so you’ll have to suffer listening to me playing the guitar instead.
Well, that’s all for this week. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue so do feel free to comment, e-mail, communicate however you see fit.
Until next time, warm wishes from,
Andrew, Emma and Benji
x
Beautiful post, as always, fabulous photos and film (the guitar playing being a perfect accompaniment)! Always a momentary breath of fresh air to read your updates. 🥰
You have a great eye for composition in your photos! I love posts like this, that capture the adventure. The video is great, and even more authentic with your guitar playing. Well done!