Reflections and tree felling in Deepsyke Forest

 

A light dusting of snow?

We officially had a White Christmas as it started to snow around 10pm last night. This morning we woke up to what the BBC Weather forecast for our area called "a light dusting of snow". That would be 6 inches then!

Still no complaints from me! I couldn't believe our luck. We got to walk in a winter wonder land and we were the only ones there. Only deer and fox tracks could be seen. We weren't sure how Flora would cope with snow that easily reached as far as her belly, but once she had been zipped into her coat she skipped around very merrily.

the fire pond

the trees seemed to be clinging together for support

my favourite tree at the top of the forest

what fun we had!

the old railway line path

view through the old railway line bridge

Winter White

The long awaited (and longed for) snow arrived overnight to my intense delight. I was a bit worried that Flora wouldn't be as keen as I was to start our dog walk, but after I had zipped her into her pink coat (covering her belly as it's very close to the ground) she happily skipped off onto the railway line, through the drainage ditch and into the forest.

Just when we emerged onto the path the snow started up again. I took my hood down and simply soaked up the falling snowflakes. Flora did the same. We let the snow wet our hair, drop onto our noses and kiss our mouths. We slowly went white and our footsteps were closing up behind us. Only the ghost of tracks remained and no other ones were visible. We were the only living creatures there (although rustling under the trees was evidence of other life (foxes, deer? ).

 All there was, was whiteness; silent snow slowly covering our world.

Precious time, in which nothing else mattered, where thinking was suspended and each moment was all there was.

 Eventually we had to turn around as we had traversed the forest end to end. The return journey proved to be just as magical.

This is where we entered our drainage ditch again and said farewell to our own winter wonderland. It looks however as if there will be even more snow as it is still falling. By that time our hair will have dried (although not our clothes) and we can do it all over again.

Sunlight on the trees

In the Forest

Yesterday was rather overwhelming and the reaction to my Sketchbook Project couldn't have been better. I received lovely feedback, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who responded.

Today it was back to norman with the early dog walk. At the moment Flora is so enjoying her walks as the sun is shining and the ground is frozen so her little legs and undercarriage don't get wet and mucky. She is very fastidious about her cleanliness. So when the weather suits I make the dog walk longer by disappearing into the forest through a drainage ditch and then walking the more official path from end to end.

The water was still partly frozen but it hasn't been as cold last night as in the past few nights. On the way back we again made our way through the ditch and came out towards the light at the other end (see top picture). Going through the forest in this way with the sun making it's way through the evergreens feels in many ways like entering one of Europe's great cathedrals. It leaves me awestruck! A beautiful way to begin the day.

Winter Layers

A Grateful Day

There was a magical world outside this morning as we had just over an inch of snow overnight, the sun was out,  and there had been a hard frost. I took the advice given in the video link mentioned at the end of my previous post and treated the day as if it could be both my first as well as my last. During the early dog walk along the railway I made my way into the forest via a drainage ditch and entered a winter wonderland. Flora skipped ahead and had so much fun that it filled me with just as much joy.

Neither of us wanted the walk to end so we kept on going, meeting up with 3 other little dogs in the process.

We made it to the top of the forest where once there used to be some great views but now that the trees have grown to impressive heights the trees themselves have become the view.

 The textures on the branches were accentuated by the snow.

It was breathtaking and perfect for either a first or a last day.

We also had another great walk in Penicuik Estate in the afternoon but there hadn't been as much snow there so for once no pictures.

Flora's social life continued with a visit to the new premises of our vet who had an Open Day this afternoon and dogs were welcome too. Flora was amazing, meeting and greeting both dogs and people, including some small kids and a tiny tot. They all stroked her and she was so gentle. Compared to a year ago she is barely recognizable as the same dog that arrived petrified and scared from Romania. I would never have thought she could come this far but this is one very courageous girl. Rewards came her way!

A magic tunnel?

No, in fact it is a drainage ditch we use as a shortcut to the main path in the nearby forest but this morning it looked magical.

Fairy Toadstool

Deep in the dark forest

Red and white delight

During this afternoon's dog walk in Penicuik Estate, we spotted some fly agaric mushrooms in the forest. I clambered up there (result a very wet foot!) and took some pictures, just when the sun decided to show it's face. I also spotted a very large alsatian dog between the trees and for a brief moment thought of wolves. It seems it's owner had the same idea as I had about the mushrooms.

Dog walk in the forest

Foxglove

Reflections in the fire pond

Flora having a drink 

Little Lovelies

Forest Light

Sitting in a row

Long forest walk

Sunny but icy!

Lichen

In the forest