January has been dominated by low temperatures. But as always, the sun is slowly returning; the afternoons have become longer. Still the shadows are long when walking both in the morning and in the afternoon.
This afternoon Toby sat down waiting for me. He does that often, in anticipation of playing in the field.
At last a peaceful walk in that characteristic yellow light of winter.
The golcrests accpmpanied us in the forest, the mallards as we walked along the still lively river, and for some time we followed wolf tracks from one wolf.
To walk, breathe the fresh air, watch the low-key beauty, without demands that is for me a true rest.
A sunny Sunday, the decision was easy to take a run and make a pause by the lake. It is lovely to sit by the shore with no one near, just Toby and me, and the lake. We both went into the water, Toby swam and I walked up to the height of my knees. It was lovely to just sit there in peace on the bank, contemplating the beauty of the sky and river, and the light green leaves of the trees by the lake and watch Toby’s delight in the water.
There is something wondrous about spring rain. It is as if the plants delight in breathing the water vapour, drinking water with their leaves. The air is saturated by uncountable odours. These days I love to take a run in the forest. In there the smell of wet moss dominates together with the soft aroma of sap rising in the birches.
I remember this lunch, sitting on the slope of the mountain, looking at the lake far beneath and on Norwegian mountains on the other side. The dogs loved it especially Ajax, who curled up beside me.
Light fog in the morning gives such a beautiful beginning of the day.
Toby and I went out for a brisk day’s walk before noon. It had been quite cold during the night, but the temperature had risen during the morning. The damp air softened the colours of both trees and ground.
I love the colour of the reeds on these days, similar to that of ferns, but more distinct, perhaps since they are much bigger. The rustling sound as the wind moves through them soothes my mind as it enhances the silence, making the walk very peaceful.
I was out running with Toby. The weather was uncertain, but we took the chance and left for the woods and soft roads. We were running uphill into the forrest when the sun suddenly shone through the trees.
Together, the damp air and the beams made a beautiful display in front of me. And there stood Toby in the middle of all the light, waiting for me to catch up, a perfect part of the beauty that surrounded him, but unaware of it. I hesitated, stopped for a moment and gazed. Sometimes it feels that you have finally stepped on the right spot and entered into a fairytale.
There is few things as beautiful as fog in the morning a winter day… A walk that lasted some hours, cold but very beautiful.
I love these lonley roads, especially on Sunday forenoons when people prefer being at home, I suppose taking a long breakfast. There is a silence in the air created, I think, by the low temperature, as if every creature is economising with even the callings to save some energy. Even the thoughts become sparse, the mind listening to the sound of birds flapping and one’s own footsteps in the snow.
The snow comes and goes, and with it the reflection of the sun on the ground. One never really knows how the walk will turn out, as this walk with Toby. We had been waking for one and a half hour then suddenly the sun found its way through the clouds and we are standing there bathed in winter evening light. I appreciate these gems of moments very much. I think it is because I am not in control, and thus can receive it as a gift.
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From Where I Stand...
Wonderer of Nature 