Saturday 7 June 2014

Belonging

Have you ever felt that you truly belong somewhere? Like at some point in the past you must have lived in a place that became such a part of you that years have not faded the link? Mr K has always felt a pull towards the sea. Now this one is easy to understand as he spent his childhood up on the North East coast of England. But as for me? My first few years were spent in the glorious seaside town of Hoylake on the Wirral peninsula. From there we moved several times - usually to modern houses on the outskirts of small towns. All very lovely and all with their fair share of greenery but nowhere that I could particularly say I felt rooted.
So why then, last week when Mr K and I ventured forth to somewhere completely new to both of us, did I immediately feel at home? 

Consall Forge first came to my attention via the lovely Rosie at Corners of My Mind. Set in the Churnet Valley in Staffordshire it turned out to be only half an hour away and yet we'd never heard of it before. As we approached, the verdant narrowing lanes set the scene. Within moments of leaving the car and setting foot on the woodland path I declared that this was my favourite place ever.

We continued along the one hour route 


Breathing in the freshness as the sun broke through the canopy

.


Layers of green




Punctuated with natural hues






Decay




Alongside new life


Somewhere to breathe it all in


Maybe it's to do with reading too much Enid Blyton as a child but who can't help but think trees like these must be enchanted?


We knew the River Churnet ran through the valley but we didn't expect this. On our way back to the car we found a clearing.


A place to rest


And be visited by the locals - some more easy to spot than others

Do you see him?


Back through the buttercup meadow to begin the journey home



I can't say what it is that I find so restorative about this particular landscape. I've thought about it quite deeply. Is it the symbiotic nature of all that goes to create such a place that makes me feel as though I am part of some larger living thing? The combination of water and woodland that makes the freshness so contagious? The timeless quality  - how would people one hundred years ago or more viewed these same woods?

 Some time ago I wrote about Sara Maitland's 'Gossip from the Forest'.


Here she goes to explore what has made the forests and woodland of Britain such magical places - using fairy tales, folklore and historical fact to describe how their personalities have developed over the centuries. It makes for a fascinating read.

For me the woodlands and rivers will remain magical places. 

Somewhere I truly feel I belong.


Jane
xxx

23 comments :

  1. What a lovely walk.If I am feeling a bit down I like us to go to Ness Gardens(which you probably know).We are members there.To walk around the gardens which are never busy and just hear the birds and take in nature just does my soul good.

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    1. I do remember Ness Gardens but haven't been for many years. Lovely place x

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  2. It is a lovely place. Glad you enjoyed your trip, this place is about 20 minutes from me, somewhere I've been lots of times. Did you pop into the Black Lion for refreshments?!

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    1. Oooh no we missed that one but thanks for the recommendation x

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  3. About 20 minutes from me too - in the opposite direction to Louise! Perhaps we could all meet there one day and walk and take a picnic. What a nice thought. I'm so glad you loved the place, Jane as I always like the peace and tranquility there especially up in the woods or down on the canal towpath:)

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    1. That would be wonderful Rosie - and thank you so much for showing it to us i the first place x Jane

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    2. 'in' - darned my 'n' key!

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    3. Its somewhere I think I'd like to visit. Thanks for sharing x

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  4. I know without a doubt that woodland is my favourite type of landscape. It is all that verdant green and untrammelled nature that I love so much. As near as you get to a natural landscape. I did get the book you mention from the library and although good in parts, overall I found it quite disappointing. I am also influenced by Enid Blyton and see enchantment in the woods, fairy holes where they are rabbit's and the Magic Faraway Tree in every large statuesque tree (complete with squirrel to collect the cushion at the bottom of the shute). You never know what you will find in the forest. This one is an absolute beauty, so no wonder you were so bowled over by it.
    Sara

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  5. It's a beautiful time of year to explore the woodland Jane and that spot is delightful. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful photos.
    Jacquie x

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  6. Those photos really are enchanting - it is woodland for me too. I'm a Shropshire landlocked farm girl so it is the sort of restful place I like too because you could go on another day and it would feel completely different. Jo x

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  7. What a lovely and tranquil place. Walks such as this really rejuvenate the soul and mind. I'm more of a city girl, so I need to walk through a concrete jungle to feel more at home, but it is nice to retreat back afterwards to the flat fens of Lincolnshire (only if it isn't raining though!). xx

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  8. It does look like a beautiful place. I love being far away from modern day life and feeling more in tune with a timeless place.
    I know what you mean by 'feeling at home' somewhere; I have visited lots of lovely tranquil places, but when I visited Cothele I felt very much at home -a bonus for me was that a little robin flew onto my hand.

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  9. Such an interesting, beautiful post, Jane, I'm so glad you shared it! For a looong time I've had similar feelings about a special place, but I figured most people would think me mad...when I first visited Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley, I felt simply content on a deeper level than I've ever felt. A happiness, like coming home. Grounded. Like I could spend the rest of my days right there and all would be perfect. I still hope that one day we'll live there...lovely to know someone else has felt a similar depth of feeling about a special place! And with the photos you've shared, I can understand why...Chrissie xxx

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  10. Jane what a perfectly lovely post - I really enjoyed the journey with you - I have strong feelings towards Bamburgh and always feel that I am home when I visit - it is strange but wonderful. As always Jane it is such a treat to visit you and hear all your news. Big hugs and loves to you Jane.
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  11. The woodlands look beautiful, Jane. I can almost hear the peace and quiet. :o)

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  12. Jane, your photographs and descriptive words taking me so far from my concrete, steel and glass city views show me that my country dreams are truly based on nature's beauty.

    I think that I will sleep well tonight and that some of your imagery might just feature in my dreams. Thank you so much for sharing this lush, rich green, developed for generations.

    xo

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  13. It looks like a magical place. Did you find 'The Faraway Tree' ..... I do hope so!
    Jacqui xx

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  14. I can see why you fell in love with this place, so much beauty everywhere.

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  15. Oh what a beautiful place, I can see why you are attracted to it and feel at peace there. I love woodlands, I think even more than the coast, I love green, it is such a soothing colour.
    xxx

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  16. Oh that is a truly magical place - great pics and it just looks so lovely & tranquil. And if you & Rosie are going on an outing, I want to come too! ;-)
    In the woods up the road from us (the Lickey Hills), there is one particular tree that I am convinced Moonface & Saucepanman live in . . .
    Happy new week,
    xx

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  17. It looks like a beautiful place, very relaxing and calm. Glad that you had a good time. xx

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  18. Totally enchanted! What lovely pictures. Places like that are timeless. xx

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