Today I have been witness to a fairytale and paid my bills all by 9am. I woke with a sigh, my recent sculpture is challenging me and I'm on a time limit. I'm irritable and this usually leads to despair so I decide to walk before the gremlins gather at my desk with their clashing spoons and bad manners. My intention is to go to the river. Trying to capture a swirl of water in my vision and follow it downstream never fails to soothe me. There is a small gap between the towering himalayan balsam and as I slip through I disturb some foraging bees, white with the invasive pollen. Ghost bees emerging from deceptively sweet pink flowers. Stepping across the pebbled bank I feel like I am instantly in another world. A million miles from my neighbours screaming rows and the constant groaning of multiplying new-builds. Here weed charms the rocks, flowing silently above the rivers bones in a hypnotic dance. Pulling my gaze away I notice a scuffed up sandy mound with three dark shapes upon it. I instantly recognise it as otter spraint. I get down on my hands and knees no longer caring for my freshly washed jeans and inhale deeply. It is unmistakably otter, people say its like jasmine tea but I have never tried it so can't compare. To me it just smells like otter and the mysteries of a night I will never know. Contained within are feather, bone and scales. A tantalising view into the lives of these secretive souls. Triumphantly I emerge from my weedy wonder into the field. My smile speaks of gold but to the shocked dog walker I obviously look like a crazed woman as she drags her collie closer and tuts off at pace whilst gasping down the phone.
I decide to try the next hidden gateway only this ones a little steeper and instead of effortlessly flowing like the silk of an otter I stumble like a dropped bag of potatoes. Immediately my senses are caught by a shrill shriek that cuts through my breath, Kingfisher! I have sat in this spot many times awaiting a royal appearance and if I'm lucky I have been treated to the paint streak of blue. I cannot believe my eyes when I turn to follow the sound to a branch just a few meters from me. She sits bobbing her head her beauty so dramatic its as if someone has placed a painting before me. It's not until she dives and returns with the tiniest of silver treasures that I realise she is real and I am here. Her fierce eye closes for the briefest of moments as she snaps her head back to swallow her now despatched treasure and she takes off against the flow. I return home in overwhelming awe and decide to avoid the copse with its attached planning notice. Today I want to bury my head in the memory of earthy river scent and magic meetings for just a little longer. My blood beats hard in my veins as I chase the blue all the way back to my door.
12 Comments
Jenny
8/15/2018 09:17:50 am
What an amazing site. I had a snout to snout encounter with a hare a couple of months ago and its a stunning experience! Thanks for sharing.
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Sue
8/15/2018 09:26:23 am
You write so beautifully, I too lived next to a deprived area but my soul is saved by the trees on my street and a wonderful park opposite, the reasons I moved here to heal and create like yourself. I feel you are from 'the House of Joseph' a Anne by (Lucy Maud Montgomery) might say ... thank-you for sharing it makes me feel not so alone in my own endeavours and appreciations of nature which I too have had since childhood and which you put so well into words. PS as a child I pulled up posts marking out plots for new houses on my wilderness play area!
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Julie Brammer
8/15/2018 11:18:38 am
I love your blog, I always find something in it to stop me in my tracks and make me appreciate life and nature x
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Kate Edmonds
8/15/2018 12:08:27 pm
Lucy, this is a stunning piece. You’re as gifted in writing as in all your other creative endeavours. By contrasting your less-than-natural home and the magic of nature that you find, you’ve created something really powerful and moving. Thank you.
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Jenny Hickey
8/15/2018 12:37:59 pm
Thank you so much for the solace! <3
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Tina Hardwick
8/15/2018 01:12:02 pm
Your writing instantly transports me to a magical place. I feel I am there with you!
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Liz jones
8/15/2018 01:12:03 pm
Your words are magical and I feel I am on the journey with you. You have a special talent to paint a scene vividly and I never tire of reading your evocative and inspiring tales xxx
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Sarah Billingham
8/15/2018 02:20:19 pm
Such beautiful words, thank you for sharing with us.
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Juliet
8/15/2018 11:01:42 pm
Your words are always inspiring! I would not have known or guessed at the urban nature of your home. I am sure the access to the wild spaces is a real godsend. I’m lucky, surrounded by arable fields and have a 1/3rd acre of unruly garden and a very large challenging pond dependent on the water table. There is however an A road 12m from the front door... I dare not walk or cycle it.
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Jess
8/16/2018 02:52:10 am
Your words are so inspiring and beautifully written. Along with your amazing art work, I think you should write a book. I hope you find yourself living in the countryside one day, where you truly belong :-)
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Welcome to
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It is time to rest those weary bones on the earth and enjoy the peace of this magical place. This is a place I have known for a very long time and have gratefully been gifted the ability to recreate the creatures that reside here in wool, thread and words.
I really hope that my sculptures bring you joy and that my blog posts about The Whispering Wild and my life within it inspire you to help open your heart to my wild and creative life. Much love and magic xx |
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