One of the most beautiful trees in Europe is the 550 year old Arbour Oak in Wollaton Park, Nottingham My youngest son is at university in the City, and took this photo 30mins ago

A photo a week of Spring in our woodland until everything wakes up again #4

Walk with me in our woodland

The South Saxons southern border defenses are a little bit more impressive than the shared northern border ditch with the Kingdom of Kent running along our woodland boundary 🫤

This is Majesty. Yes, that’s the name To many the greatest living oak, and possibly the largest in Europe. 800 years old, and our neighbour 🤗🌳

The same tree after a hug 🤗🌳

NEVER EVER ANNOY AN ENGLISH OAK 😬🫣

Walking on Gold

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice. Robert Frost

Our campsite was deliberately placed where the Bank Voles were sited Because they live underground they do not choose waterlogged ground. Always a good thing for a campsite

October to December our campsite is quiet & our big teepee tent is down The log piles are not aesthetic, they are practical, to ‘catch’ downed trees before they crush us in our sleep The Bank Voles that live in the log piles don’t get to snaffle sausage roll crumbs currently

Members of my family, British born, fought on both sides

General’s Washington & Tarleton, both at some point serving British Army officers who BOTH led British AND American born troops against each other in the War of Independence. I am intrigued why it isn’t also called a Civil War

Not on the same day obviously. That would be silly

More precisely the monument to him at at Leintwardine, Herefordshire. He may be in the churchyard. No-one really knows I have also visited George Washington’s final resting place 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸

I have visited the grave of Banastre Tarleton

It is an honour to be a short term guardian You don’t ‘own’ ancient woodland, you have a duty of care until, when its time, you find a suitable guardian to pass the baton on to

Ancient English Woodland is a treasure beyond compare

Who is missing our English Bluebells? A bluebell a week until they wake again next year #13

English bluebells are ridiculously invasive, & if left to their own devices over a short period of time, let’s say 1,000 years, take over completely. One mistake, deliberate or otherwise, & they are gone

We knew exactly what we wanted, even though the woodland estate agent made no reference to them. Big mistake There is a reason ancient woodland has areas devoid of all plant life in November, because this is what it looks like in April All it took was someone to love them 💜