Just after New Year and 2 days before the third lockdown, we went to Arne and Coombe Heath in Dorset for a brisk winter walk. Many others had decided to do the same and on every bench, families enjoyed picnics. It is one of my most favourite of places any time of the year. Autumn for the rich red/golds of leaves, spring for bright yellow gorse, winter for bracken browns and evergreen pines, summer for purple heather covered hills.
There are stunning views towards the Isle of Wight on top of Coombe Heath and the estuary waters are filled with wading birds.
Shipstal Point at Arne
Driving to this most exquisite of areas in Dorset is out of the question now as we must stay local, stay at home and certainly no sitting on benches with picnics!
Staying local in the Blackmore Vale offers a different kind of landscape in wintertime.Walking the footpaths can be difficult as there is so much mud ! – the clay soil which hardens and cracks open in summer, fills with rain water in winter creating flooded lanes and river meadows. Whether it is reflections in wet pools and sunsets in the Blackmore Vale or silver birch woods and gorse at Arne, there is a never ending supply of naturescapes to paint.
River Stour in flood, Sturminster Newton
Nature has no rules. There’s no stopping it, it will not be locked down.Snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, bluebells are seeking the light and birds will soon be singing in choirs. Swallows will return, flying together, no social distancing needed.
Even though we may not be allowed to gather in groups, sit in parks with picnics, fly to foreign lands and have to keep our distance from one another, there is a quiet change taking place as winter becomes spring, we just have to pause and listen to it.