May Fieldnotes.
“A longing to wander tears my heart when I hear trees rustling in the wind at evening.
If one listens to them silently for a long time, this longing reveals its kernel, its meaning.”
Hermann Hesse, Wandering, 1920
May is proving unseasonably cool, colours have often been dominated by pink and lilac shades. The cotton grass is in full bloom, offset by the dark brown peat and deep green of the trees.
On calm days the clouds seem to fill the sky and reflect in the pools creating the illusion of space below ground.
I have loved listening to and watching the lapwings dance over the water and moss. Some days the wind moves the grass as if connected to their swooping and songs.
On several visits over the last few weeks I have been struck by the amazing smells, which fill the air. On early morning visits after rain this is particularly noticeable when the smell of peat and earth envelopes you. It is comforting, welcoming you to walk more slowly and spend longer looking.
“So it is with time, that lightens what is dark, that darkens what is light.”
Samuel Beckett, Watt, 1953
Still, calm morning, cool temperatures and early morning sun illuminate the dozens of tiny spiders webs, which sit alongside the path. Securely nestled in the heather they look like miniature cloud point drawings – following rhythms of the landscape and responding to invisible non-human patterns.
It constantly amazes me the gifts revealed on my visits to this place. New layers of place – only revealed when specific conditions of light, rain, wind, temperature or warmth allow.
