Friday, September 7, 2012

Six Nights Away

Do you have a list in a forgotten notebook somewhere of places you want to visit and things you want to see? Are you ticking them off gradually? I hope so.  Some people call them bucket lists. I prefer to call them wish lists. This last week I got to tick one of mine off. ...A visit to Wistmans Wood.
Wistmans Wood  has been on my list of places to visit since I saw the wonderful documentary 'Earth Pilgrim' several years ago by Satish Kumar. 


Ancient stone and twisted oak trees are clothed in moss. Ferns grow from branches their spores snugly taken root in the deep green.
Lichen adorns the twiggy arms like sleeves on a mottled coat. Some look like hair growing or little nests.
The only noise here is the noise of nature. Water, wind, earth, animal, and us as we move. Snap of twig, scuff of shoe on stone.
Do you see the tree pointing?  I see a crone. Wise old woman of the wood?

There are many tales and legends about the wood to read. Too many to tell here, but here is a good place to visit if you want to know more. 
Just below the wood is the west dart river. Picturesque and tolkienesque. 
And here are my two hobbits or Orcs!  blending in with the landscape, well sort of.  ;)  
A beautiful rowan tree on the edge of the wood. I think this tree will get to be a star in a painting shortly...

I would have liked to have stayed longer and visited more of Dartmoor but this was just a quick passing visit on our way down to Cornwall. We camped for one night in Princetown and as night fell a heavy mist descended and the wind made the tree's leaves sing and rain pounded our tent all through the night. The wild weather had disappeared by the morning and the sun shone on our journey over the border into Cornwall and to the Atlantic.
Was it really a whole year ago that my feet were indulged in sea water foot baths in sparkly rockpools?
We camped right by the sand dunes which were filled with these beautiful day flying burnet moths.
 Every where you looked on the grass stems, were the empty pods/cocoons that they had hatched from.

Sometimes I wandered and found jewels while everyone else rode the waves.

On the night of the blue moon we were back in the woods.

This time Tehidy woods, to see the Rogue Theatre. When we saw them last year we enjoyed it so much, that we just couldn't miss this year's 'King Arthur And The Wild Hunt'

An evening filled with fire, mist and magic. If you get the chance to see them, then do. I think they tour, so keep eyes peeled.
On our last night camping, we saw a gloworm. What a special end to a great six days.
Now back here at home, I'm busy finishing off the illustrations for the book that I'm working on and some new paintings in the pipeline, for an exhibition that I'm participating in. There will be  more on that later....
 In the mean time, enjoy your weekend.
 x

38 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Karen! Mosses are on my mind and in my heart a lot lately... (just posted about my recent day with them) Wistmans Wood is definitely on my wish list, since Rima Staines posted about it on her blog, I've been wanting to visit. The pointing crone tree is beautiful, and the rowan, quite upright and sentinel, in contrast to all the gnarled ones in the wood.... and then the ocea, ahhhhh... thanks for the journey, blessings of September to you!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed Valerianna. Autumn blessings back to you. :) xx

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  2. I loved this story of your trip to such magickal places. The crone pointing is a perfect touch. The King Arthur play in that wonderful setting must have given rise to many chills and thrills! Your words and photos always give me so much pleasure. Thank you.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed Robin. Yes the play was wonderful. They are a very talented group and performing in the woods is so special. I think it should happen more often, as it would help people to feel more connected with nature. :)

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  3. What a lovely woodland you have found - and Rogue Theatre - they are based not far from my brother so I am hopeful of a chance to see them next year, it looks fabulous, the Winter Woods would be fun too. You captured some beautiful sights - especially the dragon fly. The witch in the woods with the mossy head was specially for you, but I could see her too. Blessings. Betty x

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    1. I hope you get to see Rogue Theatre Betty. You will enjoy so much. Yes, the winter woods looks like it would be magical, and especially for children, as they get to make things I think?

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  4. Magical and wonderous . . yes, I see the crone of the woods too . . no wonder such places hold such myth and legend . . the landscapes and wildlife photos are inspirational . . thank you for sharing this ancient place of spirit ♥

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  5. To think I went all the way to Skye and saw the Fairy Glen and here all the time was something so close to home! I really love Dartmoor yet haven't ever visited these woods. It's certainly on my wishlist now!
    Such treasures you found on your wanderings and yes, I saw the old lady pointing the way before you said! :)
    Thankyou for transporting me to this magical place.♥
    Jess x x

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    1. Never mind Jess. It means you have another magical place to visit soon. Maybe in winter when the trees are bare? I bet they look beautiful without leaf all twisted against a winter sky. :)

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  6. We used to spend a lot of time on Dartmoor when the boys were smaller - Wistmans Wood was their favourite place. Hope we can go again sometime. Glad you had a lovely time in Cornwall. I would have loved to have seen Rogue Theatre - thanks for those gorgeous photos. Karen x

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    1. I bet it was their favourite place. A perfect setting for imaginings and adventures. :)

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  7. Such a beautiful woodland. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. You're welcome Simone. Glad that you enjoyed. :)

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    1. Hehe.. I was in a swoon when I was visiting. ;)

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  9. thank you for taking me on a little journey with you, listening to the birds singing in the background, how lovely to escape for a moment. Looks lovely :)

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  10. that is such a beautiful place! i call mine my living list instead of bucket list. :-)

    blessings
    ~*~

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  11. Beautiful photos! I am lucky to live on Dartmoor and yes Wistmans Wood is truly a very special place.Last summer my old dog stood over an adder right by Wistmans Wood and didn't get why I was calling her to move! I had visions of carrying a very heavy old dog all the way from the wood to the car.If you can get to see the woods go early or late in the day as in Summer it is a very popular walk and you don't get to see the pixies:)

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    1. You are lucky to live on Dartmoor, it's such a special place. My soul feels very peaceful there. It was very quiet when we visited, only a couple of other people there and they didn't stay long. We were left alone there which was wonderful. I heard that there are adders after we got home, but we never saw any. :)

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  12. Oh, how jealous I am! Sounds marvelous on all counts, I would so love to see Rogue Theatre, and the Arthurian legends have been my favourites since I was a child!

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    1. I hope Christina one day you'll get to see the wood and the theatre company.! x

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  13. Enchanting, soft and old, in the case i never get to visit this wonderful wood, thank you for the pictures especially the one of the crone!

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    1. You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the visit. :)

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  14. You are a gifted artist and a natural poet, Karen.
    I love sharing your photos, especially those of insects.
    I savour your magical captions and the accompanying music strikes a chord in my heart.
    Thank you.

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  15. Wistman Woods is beautiful. Appears to be a place full of beauty and magick. If I ever get a chance to go to England, I have to stop there.

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  17. karen- lovely photos! Take a look at this link about wistmans wood, I think you'll find it interesting!

    http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/wistman.htm

    Leanne x
    talesofsimpledays.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Leanne. Yes I have that link in the post.. hehe Thanks anyway. xx

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  18. What a place. Very magic.
    You're right, it is tolkienesque.
    That tree IS pointing.
    Amazing photos.

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  19. Lovely pictures and one day I'll definitely visit Wistman's wood, it's on my list too :D

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    1. I'm sure you will Kimberley. You must take you're little camper van down there for a weekend. x

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