April 26th 2025
Kielder Forest Nature Diary
Bakethin Nature Reserve
I keep on telling myself that I have only been living here 3 weeks and I need to be patient and let life unfold. I cannot tell a lie that some doubt has creeped into my mind but we have to accept these thoughts as only thoughts arising and are only illusions which our mind conquers up. Be present is my mantra now. It took me years of exploring and regularly going to my Woodlands in Nidderdale , I am not going to connect over night and what will happen for my new life path only greater beings than I can know.
I planned a trip up the road to Bakethin Nature Reserve and within the Reserve there were glimpses of something quite magical
.I went for few reasons , firstly to find a place to make friends with , to explore and find its hidden secrets and also I need natural materials to forage for my art and nature to provide inspiration, along with showing people the beauty and awe of nature. This definitely has potential for foraging and is magical for photography.
Although not a travel guide I thought this place is worthy of a visit if you are on holiday and love nature. It is especially great for people who are not as accessible due to its well maintained paths. So no reason not to go !
The energy of place felt similar to Druid Temple Woods near Masham , North Yorkshire : A place i thought was magical , visited often as I was 5 minutes from my cottage and knew like an old friend. Bakethin is much larger and more diverse which gives me options for foraging plus plenty of things to find and show to the world. There are new elements , a shoreline and some beautiful ponds rich in life which will be a challenge for me to find ways to capture photographs to tell their story.
It is like a sweet shop, although only just waking up, there is plenty of ideas for making Inks and paper. I keep on muttering to myself , work with the landscape and environment you are in , make your art with what nature provides here now. Talking of muttering to oneself , I got caught by a couple talking to a particularly nice moss with shoots sticking up which they took a wide berth around me : who else talks to themselves whilst walking in nature ?
Everything is just about waking up which I love , the contrast of old and new is a favourite and I love making little photograph stories of this.
In my recent discussion with Kim and Kim Grant Photography I mentioned that I had not seen any Nettles on my little journeys through my new environment. I had a little smile whilst lying down taking a picture of a lovely purple wild flower, the familiar feeling of nettle sting through my top. Although not masses , and I do hope I can find more as Nettles are a favourite in my Foraging world for making different green inks and paper making. I can remember my landlord moaning about them in the back garden , I do not understand why people hate them so much : they attract insects , bees and butterflies all year long , the are packed with nitrogen and make a great fertiliser , full of Vitamins and Minerals for a great herbal tea , our ancients revered them as sacred healing plants, plants that provided clothing , dye and nutrition. I certainly will be on my little crusade of finding more Nettles. There will many images of Nettles.
I do hope that you come on this Year long Journey of intimately connecting to places in Bakethin Nature Reserve, Kielder Forest. To see how the cycles of time create different moments and feelings. To see how nature can mentor us in life. My next exploration is the Wild Wood at Kielder Head. Hope to see you there.
