I grew up in the New Forest soon after the end of WW2. At that time there were few cars on the roads, a memory that seems improbable today. It had a raw beauty, part heath, part deciduous forest, what evergreens there were had arrived on the wind by natural processes. The wildlife was prolific, smallholder cattle, pigs and horses were free to roam, rounded up yearly for health checks, market sales and more. You were free to walk alone for hours, the peace being delivered simply by gazing closely at what you were passing by. I feel that sort of peace at Ashburnham, an extraordinary place during all four seasons, species of trees that come to life during different parts of the year always surprise - today, even though I have walked Ashburnham so many times over many years, I clapped eye on a mature Tulip tree, mostly found on the South East of the USA, held in such regard to be the state tree of three states. Today, a majestic tree, possibly 40 to 50 metres tall, it was covered in tulip shaped flowers.
I grew up in the New Forest soon after the end of WW2. At that time there were few cars on the roads, a memory that seems improbable today. It had a raw beauty, part heath, part deciduous forest, what evergreens there were had arrived on the wind by natural processes. The wildlife was prolific, smallholder cattle, pigs and horses were free to roam, rounded up yearly for health checks, market sales and more. You were free to walk alone for hours, the peace being delivered simply by gazing closely at what you were passing by. I feel that sort of peace at Ashburnham, an extraordinary place during all four seasons, species of trees that come to life during different parts of the year always surprise - today, even though I have walked Ashburnham so many times over many years, I clapped eye on a mature Tulip tree, mostly found on the South East of the USA, held in such regard to be the state tree of three states. Today, a majestic tree, possibly 40 to 50 metres tall, it was covered in tulip shaped flowers.
It is a magical place indeed! A place where forgiveness meets compassion and nature meets human pain and processes it!
Sounds wonderful, Karina - thanks for sharing it :-)