Shotover Forest is Truly a Magical Place

Apparently there was a volcanic eruption in Iceland today and ash covered the entire English countryside, closing down all the planes for the foreseeable future. I didn't see the ash; too high up apparently. But the sunset tonight was quite beautiful. My pictures couldn't do it justice, so I won't even post one.

But here are a few pictures from my lovely excursion through the truly magical Shotover Forest!


This is one of the trees that meets you as you just begin to enter on the right past the lake.


This is the path leading up to the High Forest.


This is a new friend of mine on the left. My first tree to make friends with me here in England. No matter where I go, I know I can always make friends with the trees. They have always been my friends and I am happy to be one of the few that they decide to befriend. It really is a great honor to be befriended by trees and for them to reveal their names to you, you know. This one is quite happy to let his name be shared. He is Elfriend and happy to be friends with anyone who desires to be friendly and has eyes to see trees for what they really are. If you don't know; I'm sorry. Even if I did explain, you wouldn't understand.


This is what's called a "Kissing Gate." Only one person can pass through at a time, and as you pass, you're supposed to kiss the one waiting behind you. I have been by myself so far when passing through such gates, so I blew a kiss to Elfriend. Just a friendly one though. I have introduced him to a friend of mine back at camp - Lady Fair, and I can already guess at what is to come of this! Her brother, The Sentinel, I'm sure will love Elfriend as a brother as soon as they meet, so I am not worried. He will be only too happy that someone besides The Rogue has taken an interest in his little sister!


The tree just behind the one at the fork in the road was where I had my lunch that day. From the wonderful perch I sat upon I could look back down the hill I had come from and into the entire western valley of Oxford. An apple and cheese and ham sandwich never tasted so good! This is also where my camera decided to die. Oh well, there will definitely be more to come.

Oxford, England is truly a magical old place, full of story. I hope I don't waste any of my time here.