I had a “who would of known moment” with a new flask for hot drinks in the wild. Probably because i am old i thought the idea of flasks were for the outside and were leak proof , especially one made by Thermos which is a good product. My old flask is too tall for my camera bag and also requires a cup which i often knock over or the drink cools too quickly. I was quite proud of myself with my new mug flask until it spurted hot coffee everywhere. I managed to buy another from a different brand and paying attention to “Leak Proof” , i though i would use the other in my office as my drinks tend to go cold before i drink them , but i am old school, tea needs to be drank from porcelain so perhaps it will find its use in time to come.
My Website is beginning to evolve now and waiting for me begin with posts. “The Wood Remembers” begins in January with 2 new places in Kielder Forest. My Autumn leaves project is expanding , i am waiting at least a week for everything to turn , thats fortunate as its forecasts heavy rain for a week. Last Sunday was the first frost day , the nights are getting longer and its much colder especially with the rain we are having , my expectations is that even though it was a slow start for the leaves to change it may hurry along now.
I have created a Youtube channel which begins in the new year and compliment my Daily Observations “The Wood Remembers” and will be a silent vlog mainly as i am not a talker. I have also begun to make a weekly drawn/painted journal , i want what i do to be joy and fun . I didn’t know how this would work already carrying two cameras , whether i would find a spot to sit at the end to draw and finish with paint at home , i knew i wanted the drawing to be done in the field. Due to my Aphantasia i do not have access to holding in my mind visuals so i opted to draw in the moment which i loved. here is my first :-
Field Sketch | Waxing Moon | 17th October 2026 | Bakethin Nature Reserve
The nights are now drawing out and its become much colder very suddenly along with the usual deluge of days of raining. I dont mind the rain , its not good for my cameras , but the rich autumn colours become saturated and where i live is divine.
Bakethin Nature Reserve
Weekly Reflection
nature is a mirror
to your own heart.
Christopher Evans
There is an instant “Deja Vu” feeling when i begin walking through a Autumn woodland, something very ancient within me where there is a deep memory , it is everything which combines it , the cold on your hands and face , the mysterious changes of colours and translucency of the leaves illuminating in the early morning sunlight , the earthiness which wraps your soul as if it were a blanket and a distinct energy which i cannot explain in words.
It is like my soul is saying “ i am home” with a sigh of relief that its made it through and have returned to safety.
You have to wander off track deeper into the Forest a little and scout around but once your eye is corrected then the mushrooms appear from nowhere. Large handsome dark umber brown demand your attention and mossy fallen logs have an array of delightful striped Turkey Tail Fungi in which manifests from the decomposed wood and as the whole mossy woodland is adorned with miniscule mushrooms it would be rude that they were not alongside this magnificent being. I just love the little collection of light reddy brown mushroom beside a tree trunk you can only but imagine a Fairy home.
The Blackberry is a marvel of the woodland , its the vanguard of spring with its bright green shoots and now the rearguard of autumn , ensuring all is safe and sound with their return home into the soil. Even though it has provided delicious berries , its their time to display its veiny leafs in gold and bright crimsons before its time.
I cannot finish without sharing the wild verges glowing in the morning light over looking the reservoir , it is my time to pause and just be with them without anything but a heartful moment feeling the moment. So , please join me for a few moments.
In the Quiet of the Wild
Don’t forsake joy
in fear of sorrow
christopher evans
It was the first proper cold morning of the year which i had to de-frost the car windscreen, the sky was pale blue and perfect to wrap up and make my way towards the North Tyne River , I drive a very short distance to the village as its easier to cart my bag of art materials. Where i paint is a lovely river circular walk , its 2 miles and about half way around there is a large clump of Knapweed which now at first glance has become black. I have been obsessed with this clump for a while , visiting often to see its stages of the cycle of yearly life.
I love the depth of the darkness to the clump , the cluster of dark dried flower heads which force an impression on me and the tall mainly stripped back stems shows me the elegance of chaos. I see its wisdom of being steadfast and resilient . At first glance its dark and melancholic but getting closer you see crimsons , earthy reds , the stalks have a taint of chrome oxide green which give a glimpse into its summer self. Other plants are mingled within and there is a sense of purpose , a proud “done it , been there ! “ and now enjoying autumns silence gently swaying with the wind and slowly returning back to earth. They will take the winter to disappear and sometime at the end of February the space will be cleared ready for it to return.
When you move backwards and encounter it as a whole i feel its elegance of fortitude , its simpleness of form , its individual characters and its wise collectiveness of a story which keeps on repeating. When i am there I want to think about how it provided cover for small mammals to reside and attract insects and bees with its striking purple tufts of petals and how those flower heads exploded into a seed head like cotton candy. It is not just the visual which entices me to return and connect to its moment , its a friendship , its reciprocity and love.
Small Encounter | Small Responses
Watercolour on A4/A3 Paper
Larger Responses | Felt Sense
Pencil , Charcoal and Watercolour on A2 Mono Print
Bull Crag Peninsular
It has been my week of forgetting my process of filing the images separately for Social Media and this Journal which i was steadily trashing each image used for Social Media not realising that i had not kept images for my journal.
I have been walking around the Peninsular since May/June 2025 and it still surprises me with something new. A small Alder tree adorned with female catkins .
As Autumn wild verges vanish into Winter my attention expands into the Forest , which lay dormant through the summer months are now full of mystery and suspense as the moss and lichen awaken up ; a myriad of fungi pop up to see the world around them. It is more nuanced than brightly lit wild flowers , it demands you pay attention , be mindful and in the moment , then it richly rewards you.
Remember nature is a master artist and each moment you look , you look upon a living gallery of masterpieces.
The Woodland is like an old wise monk which understands you but never interferes in your journey as its the continuous unfolding of life which is the greatest teacher of knowing patience and stillness being the antidote to our modern lives.
Hareshaw Linn
I was looking for trees and autumn leaves and the universe did not disappoint today with a magnificent Ash which has turning golden.
As i wander pass the Wild Verges some part of me wants to return back and keep on painting them although now i have moved into Kielder Forest to paint the Forest Forms. Then , I remind myself that living in grace informs me that i can let go and allow things to be and i do not need to do everything as it will return once again. I have a little mantra from my Mindfulness Insight course which i cannot remember the actual names or monk which wrote it , so my version is :-
Nothing to do
Nothing to fix
Nothing to remember
Nothing but now
just rest !
I did remember to show you the same path view when in September it was lush dark opaque green canopy and now a wonderful bright yellow . Its those moments of magic which help me return , a moment too late and the leaves would be on the ground. Its those moments which i want to show you , delight you with and say go out into nature with nothing more to do than marvel at its wonder and beauty as thats enough.
