A Wild Walk of Awe and Beauty

Exploring the natural world out there helps me better see my natural world in here.

Witnessing that which is outside, touches that which is inside. It is also true that my inner world effects how I see my outer world.

Environmental psychology studies the effect our environments have upon our wellbeing and behaviour. I know that at times I struggle with indooring to the point of squirming and fidgeting, glooming and dooming, moaning and groaning about nothing in particular.

A frowning heaviness that seems to have squished my joy, my inspiration and motivation.

In these moments I know I need to get out. I need a Nature Nourishment Day. An outing by myself in the company of all things wild and natural.

I pack my bag; tea flask, mug, picnic blanket, lunch, notebook, pen, camera and chocolate. Put it on my back, adjust the lumps and bumps and set of feeling the call of adventure.

Nature Noticing

Of course, as a Nature Noticer, I don’t get far before I’m stopped in my tracks. A tiny voice says. “You can’t stop for everything or you’ll never get anywhere “. I ignore it, this is too beautiful for words. I can hardly believe my luck.

A dandelion adorned with a thousand tiny little spheres of water, and an overcast sky that allows me to capture a photograph well enough to keep. Each droplet fixed to the end of one of the feathery offshoot of a clock. Ununiform, looking like sparking crystals on the dress of a fairy queen.

I both revel and weep at the fact that my eyes alone will get to see this wonder today. What an honour to spend a moment in the presence of such beauty.

I walk on with a gleeful spring in my step and squeal out loud. I’ve been walking all of 15 minutes and already feel on top of the world. I step one foot in front of the other with an eagerness for adventure.

Water of Life

I soon come to follow the Land Yeo, a small river from Dundry Hill that supplies our local reservoir. It flows through various villages and drains into the Severn Estuary at Clevedon.

I love walking beside flowing water. I find it energising and refreshing. I love the way it dashes and dances, then meanders and deepens. I can hear the enthusiasm and smell its nourishment. A vibrant community of plants and trees hug all along the water’s edge.

At a plank bridge crossing over the water I remember it as the place I first saw the most beautiful of bracket fungus growing on a fallen log in the water. It had strongly defined arcs of colour that were damp and shining. I don’t know much about mushrooms but thought it similar to the photos I’d seen of reishi and found out later it was probably turkey tail, known for its benefits to the immune system.

Fruits of the Harvest

I stop to admire the plump dusky sloe berries contrasted with the bright lichen green on its branches. Nothing can beat the heartfelt appreciation I feel for this colour feast right now.

Again I tear myself away wondering what other delights this beautiful world will reveal for me today.

Red is by far the strongest colour in the hedgerow this season. Bryony drapes itself like festive lights, while woody nightshade droops its laden clusters. The sticky guelder rose berries look particularly tempting and I wish I’d brought a tub to gather some for a syrup. I plan to gather rosehips when they ripen.

Blackberries seem long gone all except a lone pair that I eagerly enjoy. There are many rotting which will either drop to nourish the land, or dissolve to leave bare seeds for birds to feed on well into the winter months.

Catching Falling Leaves

A soft breeze day, barely perceptible. An occasional shimmer and shake of upper branches releasing leaves that float gently to the ground.

An oak leaf taps me on the shoulder as if to say, “are you ready? There’s one coming just for you!”.

I look up and there it is; glee! I lift my hands full of expectation with a dashing of fear. Will I catch it? Will it escape me?

I have it. My little gift from the mighty oak. I feel as though I have received a blessing.

As I continue on my way strong memories of catching falling leaves with my children rush in.

My heart is bursting with love.

Just One Apple

In the orchard just one apple remains unpicked, un-fallen. Misshapen and clinging on, despite having been left by its friends. All have either been harvested or lay rotting, dispersing nutrients back into the soil, back into the tree. And eventually into me.

It causes me to ponder what I am holding onto, and what I could let go of in the faith that all provides nourishment in some way.

Precious Pause

I sit in a valley far from the sound of vehicles and hear a buzzard call as it flies back and forth along the tree line.

I get out my flask and open it to the delicious scent of fresh thyme and walnut leaf tea. One from the garden and one popped in on route.

I pour it into my earthenware pot and notice the essential oils floating on top. Both herbs strong and distinctive, warm and comforting, awakening and lingering.

I remember how excited I was to see the aromatic walnut leaves return in late spring and now it’s time to say goodbye.

This thought anchors me in the now.

Samhain marks the last opportunity to collect fresh green herbs to make winter remedies and I plan to make a thyme and liquorice throat syrup this week.

Changing Cloaks

I observe the autumn tree line at the top of the valley. Bronze beech, bare poplar, full green oak, bright yellow maple and sweet chestnut. An evergreen prominence awaits behind.

As the seasons change I wear a corresponding energetic cloak. In spring I emerged tentative and hopeful. In summer I bounced with carefree eagerness. In autumn I am changeable, one foot stuck in the energetic abundance of summer and one in the emptiness of winter. When winter finally arrives I will rest.

This last show of colour; red berries, fiery sunsets, golden yellow carpets underfoot, it gives me what I need to prepare for what’s next. Fills me with appreciation of the abundance I have received, of natural life cycles, of getting to rest after fullness.

It is a privilege to live on this green earth and I am honoured to stand among its beauty.

Seasonal Check-ins

As I walk through the seasons, I get to check-in on all my more-than human friends. I see myself reflected in their cycles. That of my own nature. It fills me with reassurance.

Nature Noticing is awe inspiring and each moment I spend with an ally allows me to deepen. I deepen into relationship with each being, and I deepen into relationship with myself. So much so I feel embedded and part of the whole, with a real sense of belonging.

From this more deeply connected place I return home full to the brim of all things delightful.

So much has touched me, awakened me and guided me. I feel strong, aware and full of vitality.

Nature has been my tonic. Away from the indoor autopiloting and screen fatigue. I return home to my family uplifted, lighter, brighter and with fresh joy that infuses into all I do.

It feels good to be alive. My Nature Nourishment Day was just the medicine I needed.

Nature Inspired Self-enquiry:

1. What do you notice that is distinctively autumnal right now? (Outdoors and within your inner world)

2. What have you found awe stopping in nature this season? What makes you pause to notice how you are feeling?

3. Catch a falling leaf. What feels like a blessing in your life right now?

4. What are you holding onto, and what could you let go of, in the faith that both routes provide nourishment?

5. As we mourn the colour dropping away from the landscape, what can we do to put colour back into our cheeks?

6. What part of nature is tapping you on the shoulder? What does it want you to see right now? What wisdom does it impart?

If you love a good wander and wonder, join me for a monthly Wild Walk throughout the seasons. Next one: Wednesday 20th November, Long Ashton, near Bristol. Book your place here:

https://www.healthneedsthyme.co.uk/wild-walks-with-sarah-jane