Sunday Smile 26

I headed up the valley today to see what the Beacons would look like in the sunlight glittering off the snow covering them, I was not disappointed as I drove onwards to the forestry along the winding road.

As I turned off the main route into the road leading to the forestry gates I was delighted to find a depth of snow for two passagers to enjoy:0) Though trying to get them to stand still long enough to take a photo of them was all but impossible but I soaked up the silence and energy that always lifts spirits releasing laughter and song without fear of anyone else thinking it strange as we always walk alone up on this mountain.

To count this place as part of my ‘back yard’ is a gift I try very hard not to take for granted, rather I find I need to visit to give the land thanks for staying true even in the face of mans ability to despoil and misue it.

I find I need to slowly walk through the air that is clear and tight around each leaf and blade of grass and spreads out over all exposed inches of flesh to creep beneath the layers of clothing to tickle my spine, warm my heart and open my mind.

Listening to the songs of the birds in the trees, catching glimpse of fox or other creatures and hearing the trees conversing with each other is always a privilidge and overwhelmingly exposing in ways that it takes me days and weeks to begin to understand and months to process and translate into word and shape that I can hold up as expression and transformation of these moments.

Comments

[Cathy]

From my balcony perch above cacti and parched desert terrain, the frosty crisp morning in your pictures looks so delicious. The desert is full of wonder, but the harsh fact of too little rain in an already arid place makes me grateful for my dull Ohio climate. Soggy sounds good.

[Starnitesky]

What beautiful photos, the Beacons are one of my favourite places, I had hoped to visit while the snow was on the ground but unable to do so. Thank you for these lovely shots.

[Daisy]

To my shame, I must admit that I took for granted having the Beacons as my back yard for too many years and it's only age and living away for such a long time (and beautiful pictures like these) that remind me again what I've been missing. It's time for a trip home I think!