January 2026

There is a quality of the quiet stillness of this delightful woodland but after the rain the watercourse from the Linn at the top crashes down through waterfalls sometimes revealing its iron ore heritag. It is January , its cold , so wrap up well but be prepared to rummage in tracks which run from the main path. Good boots are essential.

Hawthorn berries and some rose hips still hold onto the tree complimenting the dangling green lichens. Alder catkins and the some leaves remain making their own impressions of what is to become. The birds now have quieten down but you may see some inquisitive Robin or Blackbird forever hopeful or maybe a Heron gracefully flying low along the watercourse. But now , in January , you will encounter it as its most mysterious and mystical as the bones of the forest partially clad in moss are revealed. Tertiary greens of muted hues frame the tree with saturated colours of lichens symbiotically bonded to the trees The floor is a myriad of darkened soaked fallen leaves , reddy and light browns , dark slowly composting trees fallen : seeing beauty in this opens your heart to expand your awareness of how awesome nature really is.

slowly saviour each moment , look at the twisting tree branches forming shapes within shapes. Mindfulness is being with each moment and slowly draw in your breath and outwards into the space. Know that you are there and feel that energy fill your body. Bring your attention to each part with joy and delight and when your mind wanders to somewhere bring it back by touching a tree , feeling the moss , find some acorns or a fallen leaf or rummage amongst the many piles of tree branches for a hidden fungus.

The woodland is showing natures way of resting your body and mind . It is composting now , not contemplating , not reflecting but deeply healing itself and nurturing the nutrients in readiness of spring. There is time to reflect , time to plan and time to set goals and intentions but January is time for you to be in your body , to nurture what it needs.