Thread by @radicalhoneybee

What a lovely few days I have spent in quiet companionship with my old & dear friend who lives in the Hampshire chalk hills. I love the softly tidal nature of chalk landscapes, the gentle familiarity of old friendship. Soft on my heart.

#Thislandisours #smallbeauties

Within 10 minutes of arriving I had my feet up and my slippers on & was eating a mince pie, I was brought breakfast in bed in the morning, tucked up with a hot water bottle at night, & my bedroom overlooked a veg patch. We all need these times. #smallbeauties

Yesterday, we went for a gentle autumn ramble. I wore my favourite pink jumper. Snug! We found snowberries sparkling with raindrops, signs of hedgehog love, which I hope indicates the presence of hedgehogs, and four friendly and unfeasibly soft English Setters...

#smallbeauties

We climbed high & looked down over the village, smelled woodsmoke in the air, walked the green ways, delighted in bejewelled hawthorn berries against blue sky, gazed at communities of moss & lichen growing companionably in shady tangles of old thorn trees.

#smallbeauties

More when I can. I am about to brave the London Underground! 😱😊

We found treaures aplenty; a tiny spun silver-skinned mushroom; beautiful against dark earth & crimson hawberries, a luminous autumn-scorched leaf, a swaddle of lichen hugging a branch, bare winter-ready fields singing a whisper of rest & dreaming in.

#smallbeauties

The hedgerows were luminous and light with hips & haws, berries & beauty. All aglow with warmth and plenty, the radical promise of abundance & sustenance for all. In this land of lack & foodbanks nature humbles us with her open arms and wide lap.

#smallbeauties

And Wild Mother Ivy, so often overlooked or despised, the most abundant & giving of all; calling a cloud of wasps, peacefully sipping away the sunshine day, drunk on bliss & plenty, sharing good company with hoverflies, flies, & ivy bees.

#smallbeauties #hedgetemple #ivylove

Wild Mother Ivy, sustaining clouds of blissed out wasp people. I love them and her.

#hedgetemple #smallbeauties #ivylove

We walked on; found a ladybird shining on shimmering black berries, autumn willowherb, and old man's beard, transformed from star-flowers to star-seed. Watched by curious horses & a little black & white cat hunting in the hedgerow, we whiled the day away.

#smallbeauties

More treasures appeared as we walked on; a natural sculpture; driftwood pale against blue sky, shadow & sunlight moving across the curve of the hills, a scattering of Michaelmas daisies, milk-white & violet, in the hedge...

#smallbeauties

We came to the cool & clear as diamonds chalk stream, where someone had left a cosy blanket on the bench ~ I liked to think as a gift to long travellers ~ boxes of apples were left by doorways to be freely taken for pies, a green Irish post box made us smile.

#smallbeauties

Above us in clear blue autumn skies, two red kites were circling for the hunt, concerned crows whirled and wheeled in dance & chase. I raised my arms, eyes, and heart for the joy of it. Oh, to be so free.

#smallbeauties

Back on earth, attracted by the phrase 'settle in Sundays', we went into the pub, once a 15th Century rooming inn, found snug corners filled with sunlight, pools of warmth to bathe and bask in, dark wood warm to the touch...

#smallbeauties

Continuing our pilgrimage on the Chalk ~ the 15th C pub was full of light, little corners of loveliness, food for belly and soul. I thought of those who over so many centuries had sat in this place, laughing or lamenting. I ate crumble, my cheeks turned rosy red.

#smallbeauties

Beauties in the 15th C rooming inn. It was all dark wood and luminous light.

#smallbeauties

Returning home, the banks were full of wilding cyclamen, tiny rebellious magenta jewels, and a constellation of golden asters. Crabapples were plump & scarlet against blue sky, silver pennies of honesty shimmer~quivered to call us in for tea.

#smallbeauties

A gentle evening was spent watching a Kennet & Avon Canal journey on TV, reminding me of Will who lived there on his boat in another life. The K&A is carved from chalk & Will is buried in a chalk grave near Stonehenge. Thank you to the Chalk for the many blessings you bring.