A sleeper in the woods

A beautiful spring day today. Lorraine drove us to Woods Mill, a nearby piece of wet woodland that is used as a nature trail for school kids in Sussex. Great to be out and about. The sun very warm.

At one point I just sat on a bench with Lorraine and we did the sound meditation, which always works very well for me. What you do is simply listen to the nearest noise and then the ones further away until you are at your aural horizon. If you are sitting among singing birds this an added pleasure. It is a very fast way to take your consciousness away from yourself and gets you centred quickly.

I've been yearning for the spring this year. And there was evidence of it everywhere today: daffodils, primroses, late snowdrops, and a few shy wood anemones. Also catkins on trees. We stumbled across a pair of mating toads too, and peered into the twitching ponds. I love this kind of thing, and so does Lorraine.

There are also ruins there, which are unmarked and are just lying about picturesquely. Perhaps they are from some Victorian folly. I couldn't find any information about them, but they are still quite magical.

Then off to the Batty (aka the Battle of Trafalgar) to get a late but decent roast pork Sunday lunch. Lorraine repaired home shortly after this. Later I spoke to Anton as Keith his step dad has not been well and had a major operation last Wednesday - it has been a measured success, but he is still in intensive care. Anton is at home with the kids, as Anna is supportively staying with Anton's Mum.

Watched Match of the Day tonight. A classic: Chelsea regally dismiss Manchester City, while Manchester United are drubbed by Liverpool. Then happily off to bed.

Below the rather Tolkienesque and regal sleeper in the woods; the last of the snowdrops, a catkin, two amorous toads, and some reflections.