Let’s take a walk through Clan Donald land, where the woodland paths are bordered by bluebells and fragrant wild garlic. 

(Armadale, Isle of Skye)

adventuresofalgy:

As the sun grew stronger, Algy retreated into the old oak woods by the banks of the quieter loch. Everything was fresh and green and beautiful there in the dappled sunlight. It was very quiet apart from the songs of the other birds, as there are no paths through these woods to bring noisy visitors to disturb the peace. Algy sat on a rock and studied the mosses and ferns, thinking of a verse by Lord Byron:

          There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
          There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
          There is society, where none intrudes,
          By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
          I love not man the less, but Nature more,
          From these our interviews, in which I steal
          From all I may be, or have been before,
          To mingle with the Universe, and feel
          What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.

[Algy is quoting verse CLXXVIII from Lord Byron’s extremely long narrative poem, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.]

Bluebells, wild garlic and a path to heaven as far as I’m concerned.  

(Clan Donald woodland walk, Southern Skye)

adventuresofalgy:

Algy could feel that the weather was changing. It really was spring at last, and to prove it, bluebells were suddenly popping up everywhere. Algy adores bluebells, so he spent a happy hour among them in the dappled shade, listening to the first two swallows chattering to each other as they swooped around overhead.

          A fine and subtle spirit dwells
          In every little flower,
          Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
          With more or less of power.
          There is a silent eloquence
          In every wild bluebell
          That fills my softened heart with bliss
          That words could never tell.

[Algy is quoting from the poem The Bluebell by Anne Brontë.]

…and ever a mystery to me why they are called ‘bluebells,’ when in fact they are a shade of purple.

bluepueblo:

Sun Ray Forest, Oregon

photo via findfresh

To join the previous post, this one is similarly imbued with hope.

scotianostra:

Snow and Glow

The early morning sun bursting through the trees in Abernethy Forest

I’m not a fan of the Cairngorms, too much grey and stolid granite, rounded mounds of mountains……this, this is quite lovely though, light through the trees gently illuminating the tracks in the snow.

How adorable, it hasn’t even got its blue yet…yes, Spring is coming.

Whether you blame the English as some do, avaricious Scottish lairds, or indiscriminate sheep, it is a fact that the Caledonian forest went into severe decline.  Thanks to wonderful people like my friend Jenny, and organisations such as “Trees For Life,” a tree has been planted in the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands to celebrate my birthday today.  Many, many thanks Jenny for the lovely card and a present with depth and meaning that goes straight to my heart.

Jenny knows that the Scots pine is my favourite tree but did you know that it may become the national tree for Scotland?  Read more below or click on this link for the full piece.  

To find out  more about “Trees for Life,” click here.

“The Scots pine could become the country’s official tree, if politicians support a plea by a nature lover today.

MSPs will be invited to begin the process of designating the tree, the mainstay of the Caledonian Forest, as one of the country’s official national symbols.

The Public Petitions Committee at Holyrood will consider a plea by Alex Hamilton that calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the government, “as a symbolic commitment to our woodlands and natural heritage”, to proclaim the Scots pine as the National Tree of Scotland. It would be the first time that Scotland has had a national tree. Seventy countries across the globe have one.”

bluepueblo:

Writing Table, Leeds, England

photo via things

This is nearly identical to my writing desk, or ‘secretary’ as it’s usually named.  The view though, I would love to be looking at that view.  My secretary sits against a wall but if I turn my neck I can see the unattractive roof of a shed, some bare trees and today, a very dark sky.  I feel I could write a masterpiece with such a view…

alexandermichaelcrow:

Another in my series of views from my door.  The leaves were changing rapidly, and falling with every gust of wind.  Winter felt like she was just around the corner.

A west coast window.   Caledonia’s calling me…