My Outdoor Living Room

First things first – Happy New Year. I hope your year is off to a flier and you’re surrounded by all those hopeful resolutions. May you stick to them!

I had a marvellous Christmas and New Year. Filled with love, friends, family and flitting from house-to-house bestowing season’s greetings. I was invited, I should add.

Anyway, in-between work and play, I managed to find time for two things. The Festive50 challenge, and some time and space in the outdoors, which didn’t involve running. The Festive50 bit will probably be covered in a later post, but for now I’d like to indulge in all things winter woodland.

I tend to lean towards the spring and summer as my favourite outdoor months. It makes sense – warmer (generally), drier (hopefully) and more life and colour. You would assume that winter therefore would hold nothing for me. Indeed, in the height of summer, the thought of shorter days, colder weather and less greenery fills me with dread, but as the decline from the summer solstice to the winter solstice is so gradual, I adapt and change with it. So here I find myself walking along, in a winter wonderland.

My friend, who’s a bit more sedentary than me, wondered why I’d want to get up so early and go for a walk in the woods when it’s cold, muddy, and dark. I said to her more or less that this is me. It’s what I do. But it left me thinking, what is there that would sell the outdoors to people who generally don’t get winter? So on my recent trip to the woods, I compiled a list. Guess what? You’re about to get that list.

Firstly, there is more light coming in to the woods. The low sun would barely get above the treeline in winter so it’s just as well there’s no foliage to block it out. Its rays flood into the darkness, casting long shadows on the ground, and deep shadows within the cracks in the bark of trees.

With this extra light, comes the unique colours of the time of year. Most often it’s the browns and reds of autumn’s fallen leaves and last year’s bracken. Let’s not forget the bright colours of berries too, which flash like beacons to hungry birds. How clever nature is – evolve to be bright enough to be spotted and eaten, and have the seeds of procreation pass completely through, to be distributed elsewhere, thus continuing the species.

The absence of leaves, exposing the stark branches of the trees, makes it possible to see more birds. The ones that usually dart up into a fully-leaved tree out of sight in summer, now have nowhere to hide, which is not really good news for them. To us however, it’s pretty handy. A dawn or dusk walk can hold just as much listening and viewing pleasure as its summertime equivalent.

Finally, the leaf-less state of the woods enables sound to travel further and in a different way to other times of year. This is great if you’re listening out for wildlife, and also, as I found out, it’s handy if you’re keen on a bit of solitude and you can hear approaching crowds that you’re not quite ready to converse with!

These four are not exclusive, so if you can think of any more, feel free to share.

We are past the solstice now, so the days are slowly getting brighter. I hope you can carry your New Year’s intentions with you as long as possible, if you have any, and indeed, you get out and enjoy this winter spectacle.

Stay well, take care.

It starts before I get back to the car. On my shins, calves, and thighs. Slight at first, then building up to a sensory cacophony that lasts well into the night, and, in some cases, into the following day. To some, it’s unwelcome – a hindrance of this time of year – but to others it’s a pleasant reminder, a side effect if you will that comes with the territory.

I’m not talking about some illicit drug, I’m talking about the tingling that is left behind after a trail run or country walk. Nettles and insects aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially if they bring with them an allergic reaction, and I’ve had some strong reactions in the past, but if it doesn’t bother you, like it doesn’t bother me, it’s a pleasant feeling that I find is a reminder of my pursuit. It’s a little like the endorphins released after exercise, or the lactic burn after a heavy session, or the muscle ache the day after a long run – a satisfying signpost back to my time outdoors.

For me this year, it’s been a fantastic summer of trail running, both solo and with club mates. It’s almost like some trail runners are never happy – all winter it’s the mud and cold, dark nights, longing for the summer evenings. Then once summer arrives, if it’s dry like this one, it’s the nettles and horse flies. The best times of year really are spring and autumn, though neither is guaranteed. This week’s trail run was the first run since April where we had to take head torches with us for the final mile or so.

Solo trail runs really enliven my senses. I generally run in the evenings for trails twice a week, and when I’m on my own, without the chatter and laughter, I’m aware of the reasons I love being outdoors. There’s the bird song for a start, especially in the spring. Then there’s the wind blowing the trees around. It’s funny how the sound of the summer breeze blowing through the treetops instantly reminds me of summer wildcamping. Many a trip out, spending the night under a tarp or just a sleeping bag and the stars listening out to what’s going on around me. Especially nice in the summer is if you have rain. As long as you’re covered up, and waterproofed up, you can just relax and listen to the raindrops falling on the full summer leaves. Absolute bliss.

A dry winter can mean running or walking through dry crunchy leaves. I have friends that I make sound recordings for of my walks trough the woods, listening to the general footfall, birds, babbling brooks and the aforementioned midsummer breeze. ASMR, I’m told.

I’ve always been fond of walking in relative silence when I’m alone in order to take in as much as I can. Running is different due to concentrating on foot placement and laboured breathing!

Autumn will come and go, and the gradual changes that come with it will pull me along, and I am sure my trail runs will evolve to night runs incorporating dark trails, providing more opportunities to enhance the senses. I will keep you posted.