It’s been a while since I walked along the lanes around here, but now I have had my back sorted out by the chiropractor and my foot on the way to recovery with a little help from the podiatrist I thought I’d start walking more again. Small steps first.
We have had a lot of rain. And gales. And more rain. The lanes are flooded and the trails around the hill are muddy and boggy and slippery so I decided to stay on the tarmac and have a wander down to the little woodland area that is about a mile or so from our house. Dead soggy leaves line the lane, with puddles for the unwary to step into.
Despite the hurricane force winds we experienced last week there were still some leaves on the trees which are mainly broadleaf natives such as beech, oak, ash, birch and field maples,
with some holly and hazel in the lower layers and a lot of moss, lichens, ferns and navelwort, not to mention ivy at ground level.
Several old branches of the trees had been broken off, presumably by the gales, and lay on the ground. And close to this gate leading into one of the many horse paddocks along this lane a large chunk of old tree trunk had been cut down.
I thought I might find some fungi, but didn’t, even though I did venture slightly into the wood. I really need to buy some wellies to explore further as the ground can be extremely boggy.
I love looking at the Cornish hedge in detail – because the lane runs downhill there are parts where the tree roots are practically at eye-level. Necklaces of pointy ivy wind their way up the mossy tree trunks and tiny ferns form frothy skirts at the base.
The beech trees add a splash of vibrant colour to the landscape with their chestnut brown leaves.
I thought Jo might like to be reminded of a proper English autumn walk even though this is very short by her standards! But rain was on the horizon and the Cornish mizzle was already starting to chill my bones. Time to head back home.
Cornwall in Colours 
Reblogged this on penwithlit and commented:
Beautiful photographs!!
Thank you.
All the rain makes everything look so clean and verdant. I’m with you about staying on the path. I’m so careful where I’m putting my feet these days.
How is your foot now?
Still painful but improving. I can do more before it becomes sore, so that’s a bonus.
It’s annoying how much foot or leg pain affects what you can do. 😕
Yes, it’s been very debilitating and is taking much longer than I thought it would at the beginning.
oh what beautiful lanes around you . . perfect for a trial stroll. and the view at the end magnificent, especially when you knew you were almost home to the dry and warm!
This wood is unmanaged I think, so it’s not easy to walk through, which is a shame.
part shame, but part good for wildlife maybe xx
I imagine so.
all that twig and branch detail we are starting to see again – lovely languorous walk with you down the lanes
I see these photos are square — has Becky got to you? 😉
My camera is set to the square format, but these photos were taken with my new phone, which I must have also set to square, though hadn’t realised.
That’s interesting, that you prefer the square format. I curse myself when I’ve taken some photos in square for Becky then forget to change the aspect ratio, and end up with a unintentional squares.
I like squares, makes you think about the composition 😊
Beautiful, atmospheric pictures. The rain makes the greens so bright.
True. No shortage of rain!
Really like your photos. That sky and distant landscape at the end is spectacular.
Thanks Jay, I appreciate your visit and comment 🙂