So many things to say about the humble pea. Did you know: Botanically, a pea is a fruit? Etymologically, originally a pea in English was a pease, and peas were peasen? The often-seen-in-gardens sweet pea variation (pictured) is, despite it‘s name, not edible at all? (They are toxic, causing osteolathyrism) Earliest archaeological finds of wild peas… Read More Pease on Earth

One of my favourite things to experience in May in Plakiás, south of Crete, is to walk along the beach in the mornings, and just listen to the water, the wind and the ‘sea-trees’. In spring all of Crete is in bloom. Wild nature and gardens alike. PS: If you want to check out the sea-trees… Read More Sea-trees of Crete

You can’t really see it, but it’s there. In the garden of a dear friend in Crete, an ancient olive tree. I got goosebumps when I walked around it, even before she told me it was very old. I could feel it. In a different part of Crete, an even older olive tree lives –… Read More Ancient Olive Tree

Best things to do when the mind is overfull: Get outside. Kick some leaves. Hug some trees. Run around. Do this. Breathe. Know. Be. Enjoy the moment. Repeat.

One of my favourite tree variations, the copper beech, is right now at it’s most vibrant in colour in Germany. Interestingly, how (or rather why) exactly the change to turning purple is triggered is still a bit of a mystery. This beauty we found in Frömern. What are your favourite trees?

Nothing like a long walk, or jog, or rum – or even a short one! – in a forest to clear my head. As the next best thing, check out this amazing how-to on forest meditation from Chopra.com: https://chopra.com/articles/how-to-practice-qi-gong’s-forest-meditation Enjoy!  

Psithurism. The rustling of leaves in the wind. Derived from the ancient Greek word for a whisper. I didn’t know there was a word for it. But I do know how it feels to hear the sound. Do you?

The ‘oertijdpad’ – a beautiful 9 km forest walk in Lage Vuursche, The Netherlands.

We discovered a beautiful and new-to-us walking route near Stolberg this week. The circular path connects Münsterbusch and Brander Wald. It crosses through a military practice and war memorial site (hence the abandoned tanks!), meaning part of the walk is not always accessible. It is a gorgeous tour, about 7kms in length, featuring grassland, water, forget-me-nots, oaks… Read More Münsterbusch & Brander Wald

A review of my Goals for Life in 2019: Enjoying the moment, and (meta-alert!) enjoying that enjoyment Breathing deeply, and practising meditation Spending time in the forest, together with Mr E Reading books about nature Watching the Clouds Walk in the Sea, at least once Enjoying the views, every day Enjoying time with friends, family… Read More Spring Recalibration – Nature and Life