The near forgotten beauty of nature
In Europe we are plunged into the stark, grey and leafless months - especially if you happen to be residing in London during this time. Today however was one of those crisp, cold and sunny days that reminded me that yes, there is life and lucidity above those clouds.
Here are a few memories of autumn in Switzerland, when colours were still abundant and the leaves were hanging on, just!
I took a walk through the forest high above Lake Geneva, clouds drifting in and out of the trees. It was eerie and beautiful all at the same time. Any Twin Peaks fans out there will appreciate the subtle spooky shiver I couldn't quite shake, yet it was so striking I could not help but carry along, further into the wilderness....
Woodland management in action
Another kind of beauty I found was in the woodland management, apparent only on closer inspection. It might not be so obvious from this picture, but old trees are taken down to allow young saplings to thrive and reach for the light, uninterrupted. There are three stages of trees here: The chopped down trunks of the elders who have had their day, teenage saplings (can you call them that? Well, I am now!) in their stride, and the tiny little seedlings protected by netting and supportive poles.
Simply gorgeous, I was entranced by this spot, the smell of the autumn leaves pungent, perfurmed by the distant smoke of bonfires elegantly enhanced by the drifting swirls of clouds.
Continuing on was truly the gift that kept on giving - vista after vista unfolded before me and I simply had to press on, the fear of missing out coursing through my veins. Slightly further on I walked past a woodland picnic spot where a steamed up car, nest to who knows how many teenagers, emitted fumes and steam that I imagine contained a very high dose of endorphins and who knows what else. I was half expecting a spoof version of that cinematic moment from the film Titanic of Kate Winslet's hand sliding down the steamed up window. An unexpected little interlude, yet not one to hang around for.
Lake Geneva was down there somewhere, boiling over by the looks of it! The clouds were so dense it felt like you could just step out and walk on them....
Since winter drew in, I have spent a lot of time in London and the difference between the soaring heights of the alps and the bare, yet bold metropolis has presented its own wilderness.
This brings me on to what promises to be a very special event taking place in London on 2 February 2014 for those of you out there in love with nature. Organised as a collaborative event between Way of Nature and Global Generation it is a short discovery urban walk, followed by the screening of what looks like an excellent and enlightening film about reconnecting kids (and everyone else!) with nature: Project Wild Thing. This will take place at the Global Generation location in Kings Cross where you can also explore the great work they do with city farming and inner city young people. Find out more and join the event here. We hope to see you there!
