Often when I am feeling a weeny bit low in energy, I find myself craving the sort of super-fresh air that can only be inhaled underneath a canopy of trees. A slightly damp shady woodland walk has such a unique fragrance, especially at this time of year when there is so much lush green growth springing forth. On Friday afternoon J and I had just over an hour to fill before the school run, so even though I felt soooooo tired at the time, we decided to take a short walk through the woods to inhale the greenery.
The treetops are just starting to turn green after our long winter and the newly unfurled leaves are such a stunning colour, it almost doesn't look natural. I loved the floral element too - wood anemones still blooming in amongst the first of the bluebells, and great swathes of hawthorn blossom too. The wild garlic hasn't flowered yet, but the leaves are adding an extra layer of vibrant green to the woodland floor. It's all so lush and beautiful, and almost too much to take in. Almost. I do take it in of course, and every lungful of woodland air I breathe feels like it's doing me good. But it's the visual effect of being surrounded by nature that is the very best therapy. It's restorative and energising, calming and invigorating all at once. I can highly recommend a short Woodland Wander if you have a spare hour or two to while away at the end of a busy week.
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Lovely... the Japanese call it forest bathing, what a great naame and soul refreshing.
Posted by: Jackie | May 10, 2018 at 10:41 PM
Beautiful pictures! Lucy, you might be interested that in Japan they call what you are describing 'Forest bathing' 'Shinrin Yoku' where they wander in the woods specifically for their health. Time in woods has now been shown to be so good for us in all sorts of ways especially mental health. I'm a Forest school leader as well as a crochet fan so I know it's true - I see children just unwinding and blooming in the woods all the time! Thanks for all the lovely blog posts and gorgeous colourful patterns xxx
Posted by: Catherine | May 10, 2018 at 05:34 PM
The color of "spring green" is the most calming of all to me. It truly does something to my soul. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Cathy | May 09, 2018 at 11:53 PM
Always a pleasure to look at your pictures, Lucy. They really bring Spring to life and make me jealous of where you live, just minutes away from woodland so beautiful. Such a wonderful uplifting place.
The little white flowers with the shamrock type leaves are oxalis.
Keep posting your photos and tales from Attic life - lots of us need your colour in our lives!
Posted by: Corinne | May 09, 2018 at 10:26 PM
Once again Lucy, you have brought back happy memories from my childhood. The beauty of nature in all her glory. Here in Australia we are moving into Winter after a very long hot summer. Enjoy your beautiful spring and I am looking forward to our cooler winter. 😊🇦🇺
Posted by: Margaret Simpson | May 09, 2018 at 10:06 PM
Lucy just looking at your photos rejuvenated me!
Posted by: Leah Lynch | May 09, 2018 at 09:07 PM
Lovely photos Lucy love Jenny xx
Posted by: Jenny | May 09, 2018 at 08:54 PM
Yes, yes, and yes! :)
Posted by: Helen | May 09, 2018 at 05:47 PM
Sorry Lucy but that frothy white blossom without leaves is black thorn which flowers before it breaks leaves. Hawthorn leafs first and then flowers.
Posted by: Christine | May 09, 2018 at 05:29 PM
For me nothing beats a walk in woodland. How it reveives the soul. Thank you for sharing your joy.
Posted by: Rachel | May 09, 2018 at 02:21 PM
It's magic, and it's not until you stop and notice it that you realise that that's what it really is :) xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | May 09, 2018 at 01:39 PM
I totally agree! Nature feeds the soul! I hope you have an energized day.xxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | May 09, 2018 at 01:15 PM
And wild garlic is delicious!!!!
Posted by: Gillian Greenshields | May 09, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Oh I so agree with you! Nothing like a lung full of woodland magic to restore your energy levels! Enjoy xx
Posted by: Heather | May 09, 2018 at 12:28 PM
I favour the sea, followed by woods, but can't often get either - so I've been rereading all your old archives and wallowing in all the lovely pictures! You're in a gorgeous part of the country, and it's always so lovely to see your photos :)
Posted by: Caroline | May 09, 2018 at 12:19 PM
Can’t wait till spring! Got to get through winter yet but been mild so far here in n.z.
Got all my bulbs planted in anticipation!
Posted by: Carolyn wood | May 09, 2018 at 11:57 AM
Absolutely stunning! We have such a different landscape here in South Africa, so it is so refreshing to see such lush vegetation! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: June | May 09, 2018 at 09:47 AM
Those white flowers look like wood sorrel - anemones have a different leaf, I thought.
Lucy, you're very fortunate in having such lovely countryside so near to you, and if you feel it doing you good, then even better.
Look after yourself Lucy. And thank you for your wonderful posts. xx
Posted by: Val | May 09, 2018 at 09:09 AM
What a lush new spring green walk you had! I agree with you that a dose of nature is restorative. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | May 09, 2018 at 06:50 AM
Thanks for sharing your woodland wander ! The french name of ‘wild garlic’ is ‘ail des ours’ = bear garlic , I don’t know the origin of this name ! I live in the french Alps, there is lot of wild garlic here but no bears !!!
Posted by: Florence | May 09, 2018 at 06:39 AM
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Charlotte. | May 08, 2018 at 09:23 PM
Beautiful photos, Lucy. Denny and I do a lot of woodland wandering too. We love every minute of it when the weather is cooperating. Thanks for sharing your forest with us.
Posted by: Kimmy | May 08, 2018 at 09:19 PM
Gorgeous photos. It's absolutely glorious out there at the moment isn't it. Suddenly there are enough leaves to make it shady under the canopy. I love the flowers in the third picture, with the woodland in the background and all that wonderful moss - a fantastic shot. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | May 08, 2018 at 08:55 PM
Lovely pics, and you are so right - a walk in the woods is the best medicine. Our wild garlic has most definitely flowered - it smells really strong this evening after a short burst of rain! I took the puppy for a run in the woods and we both got gloriously muddy :).
Posted by: One-oh-four | May 08, 2018 at 08:42 PM
Sooo very true! Thank you for your thoughts, Lucy, ever and ever again!
Posted by: Ingeborg | May 08, 2018 at 08:21 PM