Hollington Wood

22/10/2024

By all means just enjoy these pics and ignore the following but there is mindfulness behind this post...

In my weird little world, I seem to be coming across more and more people suffering from depression. Several such admissions to me in the last few days prompted me into action.

Maybe it's because I have been suffering from bouts of chronic depression over the last 2 years that I'm listening better and spotting the signs, maybe it's the awful world that seems to surround us wherever we look or maybe it's the weather (whatever your view on climate change!). Anyway, my struggles with mental well-being have filled me with a powerful desire to try to help anyone else who is suffering and I have developed my own coping mechanisms that I would like to share...

1. Embrace colour
2. Be positive and impactful in all human encounters
3. Seek beauty - it's all around us ALL THE TIME

This is the context underpinning this selection of pics I've taken over the last 2 weeks, featuring the Harvest Moon and the 'Fire' Tree (the maple opposite my house on the corner of Holes Lane), plus the usual endless sunsets with a few other odds and sods thrown in for contrast. I hope some work for you and at least brighten your day 🙂🙏

Peace and love, Philip 💚

20/09/2024

As per my previous, if you fancy coming up to the wood on Sunday to celebrate the Equinox, Smokey Jims are doing food but it requires pre-ordering to be sure of getting what you want...

Instructions from James as follows -
Below is the link to the menu and pre-ordering page, the menu appears first, then just click through to the individual items listed on the menu. People can select what they’d like, add to basket and check out. Please remind people to detail which service they’d like their food for (Lunch 1230-1330 and/or Dinner 1830 - 1930), list any food allergens or special requests in the comments box.

https://smokeyjimsbbq.co.uk/pre-orders-for-equinox

The ordering page is live

19/09/2024

WATCH THIS SPACE (if you're interested in joining me to celebrate the Equinox on Sunday)...

I've delayed putting this out cos of the uncertainty of the weather and have yet to finalise plans but...

I will definitely be up at the wood Sunday pm, allcomers welcome all afternoon. Although the technical equinox is 13:44, for me the key moment is sunset at 1900. What's more it could be truly magical with the forecast of sun and thundery showers.

I'm not promising anything else at the moment but will post an update tomorrow. We MIGHT even have an amazing bbq chef in the form of James aka Smokey Jim's doing lunch and dinner. To be confirmed

(nb Pic was taken at 2023 last Tuesday but it won't be quite like that on Sunday!)

05/07/2024

This is the most intelligent, informative and thought-provoking article I've read in a long time - can't recommend too highly for anyone with an affinity with nature...

There are a lot of humans. Teeming is perhaps an unkind word, but when 8 billion people cram themselves on to a planet that, three centuries before, held less than a tenth of that number, it seems apt. Eight billion hot-breathed individuals, downloading apps and piling into buses and shoving their p...

05/07/2024

This is the most intelligent, informative and thought-provoking article I have read in a LONG time...can't recommend it too highly for anyone with an affinity for nature.

There are a lot of humans. Teeming is perhaps an unkind word, but when 8 billion people cram themselves on to a planet that, three centuries before, held less than a tenth of that number, it seems apt. Eight billion hot-breathed individuals, downloading apps and piling into buses and shoving their p...

25/06/2024

Belated dump of my dawn and dusk solstice pics (in time order). The video gives you a few secs of the deafening dawn chorus 😄 and in case you're confused the last is the moon!

17/06/2024

To all my faithful followers (if any - more likely random observers who might even have got here by mistake) ...

My more recent journey has taken me to a different world where I don't organise elaborate events any more (never say never) and I avoid social media as much as I possibly can, but IT IS THE SOLSTICE ON THURSDAY and the weather has done a huge somersault and landed slap bang straight into summer. How can this not be celebrated? So...

I will be doing both sunrise (04:42) and sunset up (21.27) at the wood (probably need a nap at some point in between) and you are very welcome to join me at any point, if you can find me! More importantly, this is not about me. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come up at any point and do whatever they want to do throughout the day (so long as it's not harmful, disrespectful or reflective of the sh*tty outside world we now live in).

Anything might happen but nothing is promised beyond open gates and free car parking. There's a decent chance if you bring a receptacle that you might be plied with honeysuckle wine nouveau. You are welcome to bring whatever liquids or solids you choose (no obligation to share). No fires without asking pls.

Be nice to know if you're planning on coming but nothing is compulsory in my brave new world. Whether I see you or not...

HAPPY SOLSTICE

23/06/2023

Well, I've just about recovered from solsticefest. I promise this will be the last time (for 3 months?) I will post any more sun pics.
These are my favourites from my photographic journey over the last 2 days (in sequence)...
Thank you to the random co-conspirators - Moffats, Norths, Churches, Taygen Waynes, Aan de Wiels, etc - who helped create that magical sunset gathering.
Hardly surprisingly my only sunrise companion was Woody 😁

20/06/2023

Wishing everyone a very happy Solstice tomorrow.

For earth people like me it's as big as it gets. Strange that in the modern world most people don't even realise...

If anyone out there wants to share with me the Solstice sunset, technically 2127 but in reality a few min earlier, you are very welcome. My car park will be available and if you're lucky I might offer you a country fermentation!
For any complete nutters out there the same invitation is offered for the Solstice sunrise (Wed/Thurs 21st/22nd) at 0442!!! The forecast is for a totally clear night but mist developing at dawn so it could be truly spectacular. What's more, I have just cut a summer solstice sunrise tunnel to balance the winter solstice sunset tunnel some of you celebrated with me last December.
If this tweaks you it's a bit more complicated cos sunrise is on the opposite side of the wood - the east/wind turbine side. Best you liaise with me if you want to experience it!
Peace and love P

[Btw 'The Enforcement' is now over, for the time being at any rate. My appeal was successful and the inspector ripped the Council apart. However, I'm still not sure what this actually means. When I'm clear what's really going on and what it means in the real world I will do another post]

21/05/2023

Say it with flowers (and leaves that rival the flowers). This is a declaration of love for my lifelong partner, Hollington Wood. We've been together for 62 years and the romance has never been higher! Yesterday I felt like I had gone to Heaven...
I must confess that it irritates me when people call the wood 'The Bluebell Wood'. To me that seems so limiting and, spectacular though they are, I'm almost glad when they're over so you start seeing everything else!