It’s a lot more than an 8 mile journey now, but as it was such a nice day, we decided to go for a drive to our favourite woods and have a trip down memory lane.
When we left in 2014, the Forestry Commission were felling trees and it was soul destroying to see so much devastation. We returned to Lincolnshire in 2017 and went back to see how things had progressed.
Maggie remembered where she was and was content to trot off and explore her old haunts, though she was never actually far away. Humphrey’s Stump was still there, though it had been battered by the elements and rotting badly.
Photo January 2018.
We parked in the main car park today which is still cratered and you have to watch your suspension, but there were plenty of spaces. One thing we noticed on arrival is that they have taken the notice board down at the gates.
What we’ve always liked about the plantation is not just the trees, but despite the car park being full, you can walk for miles and see no-one, such is the vast choice of tracks and pathways you can follow. We came to know them all, and a few of our own, over the years.
We’ve been back several times this past year, but today the autumn colours were in their full glory, and Maggie would have loved it. We even found a new pathway she would have chosen to explore.
Photo 20th Nov 2021
The forest is recovering well. They have planted conifers where once there were tall pines, and although a mish-mash of brambles, gorse, heather and ferns, the peace and tranquility is still in abundance. Memories linger of flipped rabbits, nipping squirrels and a lost ‘cow’ (aka bull). I had a fleeting glance of a woodpecker, we heard a squirrel scurry up a tree and the birds are back, singing their enchanting melodies from the treetops, invisible to us until they fly away.
We were walking for about an hour and a half today, and it wasn’t until we were heading back to the car that we started to meet up with people, all of which had dogs of some description.
Enjoy these photos of a place we love which is filled with happy memories and no doubt in future years will hold many more.
This is the above tree in December 2013!
pensitivity101 
Aww, sweet Maggie ☺️💕
She loved it here, and when we lived in the cottage, we would sometimes go out there twice a day.
I love it when you see they remember places, people etc. ❤️
She certainly knew where she was when we went back the first time.
Aww, sweet pup ❤️
Just what I needed that you 💜💜
It was lovely there today
Glad to hear that 💜
Well that was a wonderful walk you took us on —really lovely. Hopefully another four-legged walking companion can join you….I enjoyed jour description, especially in what has changed. Wonderful photographs, they really are.
Thank you so much. We hope it won’t be too much longer before we have a new dog to walk with.
It is the first day of gun hunting deer season here. No walks in any woods for at least the first weekend. The park behind us reaches up into town so it will be safe for the next 8 days after the weekend. There are also tons of natural areas in Middleton and Madison so we like you will have to drive to take a long walk. Your fall color is wonderful. I’m sure you will eventually sharing them with another faithful friend. Take care,
Thanks Begonia. We hope it won’t be much longer before we have a new furry friend to show the ropes.
The park looks to be a serene spot for woman, man and dog alike! Your fall color is lovely – we didn’t have much color this year… Hope you soon have the fun of introducing a new dog to the wonders of the great outdoors!
Thanks Val. Us too.
Lovely pictures
Thanks! I;m pleased how they turned out.
My pleasure
Great photos and sweet memories
Very much so Lauren.
awe so good you went for a long walk in the woods, thats awesome! ❤
It was really lovely. The autumn colours were stunning.