The wander for today was a short one nothing dramatic, no big views or epic miles, just a gentle stroll while visiting my Sister, Brother In Law and Niece. And yet, as so often happens, it proved that you don’t need to go far at all to find something worth stopping for.
Winter has a quiet way of offering up details if you’re prepared to slow down a bit.
One of the first things that caught my eye was the lichen. I’ve always liked how patient lichen are in no rush, no fuss, just slowly getting on with growing wherever they’ve decided to settle. This one clung happily to a branch, building itself up over time, layer by layer, completely unconcerned with whether anyone noticed or not. There’s something quite comforting about that kind of pace.
Then there was an old tree, showing off a rather interesting bark feature. I was ‘knot’ expecting to come across a cut-off branch like this, neatly sealed and darkened with age. Trees have a way of carrying their past with them, scars and all, and this one felt like a reminder that even what’s been removed still leaves a story behind.
Not far away sat a pillbox, quietly minding its own business. You’ll get quite a few aspirin in this one, I reckon. These structures always make me pause – solid, functional, and now slowly being reclaimed by grass, moss, and time. Once built with a very specific purpose, they now feel oddly peaceful, tucked into the landscape as if they’ve always belonged there.
And finally, the hoops. An old man’s beard lichen had managed to loop itself right around, forming a perfect circle. I did briefly consider leaping through it… but then thought better of it. Some things are best admired rather than tested, especially when they’ve taken years to form.
Nothing dramatic and nothing extraordinary just a handful of small moments from a fairly short stroll. Proof, once again, that there’s always something to see if you’re willing to look, even on the simplest of walks.
Happy countryside exploring everyone and what have you managed to spot this month?