Sunday 13 February 2011

A Forest Walk in Spring


Early this morning we looked nexcitedly out of the windows of Necky Knoll House to see if the sun was shining. Yes! It was perfect weather for our planned day out in the Forest, with a beautiful dawn light playing on the sides of the Knolls.



The morning mist still clung to the valleys, and as we drew near to the Forest it seemed to beckon mysteriously.



Littl' Nicky toddled on ahead. "Ooh, Daddy!" he nexclaimed, "Flowers!"


Further into the Forest, we caught a glimpse of some flying girigglies, who performed a Spring dance while Nexi and Necky Becky watched, spellbound.



There were woodland creatures everywhere! A long wrigglie paused for me to take his photo as he scuttled nexuberantly among the leaves and mosses.



We saw beautiful little mounds of giraffe moss on some old stone walling, back lit by the sun to look like miniature citadels.


Everywhere we noticed signs of the coming Spring - each twig studded with buds bursting into life!


In the shadows of the trees grew the lovely little Giranthus flowers, shining like miniature lanterns.


And the sweet Viola giraffata greeted us shyly with bowed heads.



As our children ran ahead of us along the path, Maureen and I recalled happy memories of days spent in this beautiful place, and looked forward to many more.

(c) Ingrid Sylvestre - Artist, Illustrator, Landscape Painter, Writer, Sylvan Muse, Interpretive Panels, Durham North East England UK

32 comments:

The Solitary Walker said...

As you may imagine, I'm loving your spring walk, Raph. It seems like paradise to me.

This reminds me of a question I posed in my Christmas questionnaire: dark wood or airy hill? I think you replied 'dark wood'. I love the deep forest too - but your Knolls do it for me even more! They look like drumlins.

Heather said...

Thankyou for sharing your beautiful walk through the forest with us Raph. What wonderful flora and fauna you have in your world - I just love those little creatures.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Walking in our Forest is indeed like paradise, SW. It lifts our necks and our spirits and fills us with gleeful Giraffitude!

We also love the knolls, which give us such amazing views. Our own Necky Knoll House is built on one of the tallest. Walking among them is such fun, with uneckspected secret paths and new little plants and creatures every visit.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Our little forest creatures are a constant source of joy to us, Heather. We play family games to see how many we can glimpse on our walks, and the children have school days where they learn about them and all our seasonal plants.

Anne said...

Such a beautiful walk, indeed! I too, hope you have many more glorious walks in your beautiful land.
Smiles to you.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Choices! Smiles to you too on this beautiful day!

Arija said...

Raph dear, thank you for your concern. All I need to perk me up is more frequent posts from you.

My situation probably will not alter much until the end of my days. My poor old Prof has Alzheimer's, it has been noticeably coming on for the last 5 years and is now at, for me, a stressful level. I just have to find more calming and relaxing respites and your blog counts high on that list.

Thank you . . . Arija

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Oh Arija, my thoughts are with you - I'm so sorry to hear about the Prof's worsening Alzheimer's. I am honoured that you find my blog calming and relaxing, and will post as often as possible.

Crafty Green Poet said...

oh what a lovely woodland walk! I love the giraffe violets and the flying girigglies....

Raph G. Neckmann said...

We were lucky with the weather, Crafty Green Poet - it's very frosty this morning, so the flying girigglies will be hiding instead of dancing in the sunlight today.

Rosemary said...

Oh how lucky to have such wonderful signs of spring in your forest. The Giranthus flowers I love and so impressed with your flying girigglies.
So looking forward to sharing some of this worlds signs of spring soon I hope.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Hi Rosemary, I'm looking forward to seeing your photos of your Planet Earth Spring too!

There's still lots of tea and cake here for you if you find that secret intergalactic portal!

Anonymous said...

Raph, you are such lucky Giraffes to enjoy those unbelievable wonders of nature. The coming spring prepared an amazing spectacle for your family!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh how I wish I could come with you on your lovely spring walk.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Petra, we are indeed lucky, and we are so grateful for our cherished environment and seasons.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Weaver, I too wish you could come with us on our walks - we would be most honoured!

Friko said...

Lovely walk, if you already have such strong signs of spring, I'd love to join you.
Look out for me in the woods, you can't miss me, I have a very short eck.

Janet said...

What beautiful memories! How I'd love some of those precious flowers in my fairy garden - care to share some seeds? :)

Raph G. Neckmann said...

We will look out for you, Friko! Make sure you don't get lost - bring some ribbons with you through the secret Intergalactic portal and tie them on branches!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

We'd love to share some seeds, Janet - I wonder if they would grow in your constellation, on planet Earth? Maybe if you print off the pictures of the plants, and plant them in your garden, they would magically start to grow!

Lyn said...

Love beckoning forests...especially if they have girigglies(had to go back for the spelling)..One of the most beautiful walks you've taken us on!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Lyn, I'm so glad you enjoyed the walk! We'll be doing lots more walks throughout the Spring, so I will post as often as possible!

Madame DeFarge said...

So good to see you back, and with such a lovely walk in the countryside.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Madame DeFarge! It's great to be back, and we are looking forward to many Spring walks!

Cloudia said...

Oh my!
I wish you would produce a children's book. i KNOW it would be a huge, healing HIT!!!!!!


I love being here and knowing your lovely kind!


Aloha from Honolulu,


Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Cloudia - I feel very honoured that you think so! You are always welcome here with us!

Unknown said...

You really have to create a book for children. What a lovely story and beautiful illustrations. I recently saw an add from goggle about making a book from your blog, definitely something for you to investigate.
Always a pleasure stopping bye.

Karen

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Karen! Always a pleasure to have you visiting us here in our world.

Rune Eide said...

No wonder you are living in a different galaxy - a forest like this is not possible for us Earth people of the North at this time of the year.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Ah, RuneE - but as your weather becomes warmer, no doubt you will have similar scenes of life and Spring celebration in your Forests?

Elisabeth said...

I've been here before, and now again, I'm so taken by this long necked family of giraffes. Lovely.

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Thank you Elisabeth! You're very welcome to join us on our Spring walks and nexplorations!