Special relationship

There's a wonderful sense of peace that comes from standing under enormous trees and looking upwards; from touching the firm solid tree trunks (Okay, yes, I hugged a tree!), drinking in the big deep mass of green through your eyes, and breathing great gulps of air, knowing we are doing each other a favour as if joined to the earth like veins and arteries joined to a heart - working together to take what we need and give back what we don't.

What a shame we buggered up that perfect harmony by taking more than we need and chucking out more than the seriously depleted numbers of trees can cope with.

It makes me sad that we don't teach children to love things like trees and woods and the natural world at school; to respect and admire things and think of them as as important as humans. It's difficult being a parent in the modern world and trying to address the balance between what the system tell our kids is important and what I know instinctively is important. (I'd better just point out I'm not criticising Tess's school!)

We had a lovely walk in the woods today and then Richard went for a surf. I then cleared masses of books into new piles in the bedroom so I could dispose of a completely useless bookcase that had collapsed. After that I set to work on an over-grown hedge and ever-spreading patch of ivy so I could plant some little primrose plugs that I've bought for the Spring. These things always take far longer than I expect and now my back is aching.

Gemma's off to London early tomorrow for the weekend so she's staying at her boyfriend's tonight. I know she'll be fine and have a marvellous time but I have so many mixed emotions about seeing my first baby go off on an adventure without her parents.

I tried to take a photo of her as she left but she doesn't let me take her photo these days...

Richard's tired and hungry and looking like he might eat the table or fall asleep on it.

I'd better skidaddle

(hee hee - if you could see his face! ;o) )