FIRST ARTWALK OF 2013

We had a good turn out on Sunday despite the rain, which started on cue at 11 as we met to start the walk. A big thank you all those who came along. We found what I think was a snake skeleton, well the vertebra anyway. We saw the terrapins in the great pond, and had a chance to draw at the earthwork on Ashtead common.

This is Ben Halifax's drawing, made with pencil and some charcoal (which Liz found) from a burnt tree, so it is a drawing of a tree, made on paper from a tree with charcoal also from a tree.

Someone looks pleased with themselves.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first artwalk of 2013, and it feels like it has been quite a journey to this point, we have had a lot of support from local organisations, thanks to Anna B Sexton, and I hope this means that we will get a good turn out. The weather will I think be OK with some rain when we are in the forest areas, we will meet the curious cows of high pasture I'm sure, they are quite curious about humans and quite gentle too.

STAG BEETLES

I have re-written the script for the Artwalks. This year they it will be different. Boundaries and difference will still be a theme, but I will be concentrating more on walking and the effect it has on our ability to see and experience the world, to be...

'in the moment'

I know that this is a cliche, but there is a reason why cliches are repeated.

I have never seen a stag beetle on the commons, but on a warm summers evening every year in our garden when they would fly holding themselves vertically and scare everyone.

Adder searching

Adder Skeleton Horton Country Park

Natural History Museum

Spent a lot of time on Thursday walking quietly around High Meadow, avoiding the cattle, hoping to see an Adder basking in the sun. My only reward was being warmed by the sun and some exercise. When not actually looking for snakes I had previously seen a tail disappear into the grass at the edge of the track next to this meadow, I thought my luck might be in as the sun has returned. Now having read that they hunt mostly 

at dusk, I will try later in the day next time.

In the great little museum in the Horton Country Park I photographed the 'Adder Skeleton' they have there. Although it looks like the skin was left on and either there was a disintegration situation or water got in, to leave this amazing scene.

In an adjacent cabinet the remains of a shrew caught in a plastic drinks bottle shows how we have unwanted effects on animals.

HELPERS

Holstein cattle that are brought onto the commons to help to re-create the Lowland Heath habitat that once was everywhere on the commons. 

When a huge proportion of the population worked in the agricultural sector and animals were routinely grazed over the area, there were less trees and I imagine 

a lot of mud in the winter. But also quite a different more 'work a day' feel to the place.

The uninhabited feel is one of the qualities I cherish.

On Wednesday I realised why I went to a lot of trouble to be able to spend more time here. Just walking on the commons is intrinsically valuable and I learn more every time I go. Even day to day as the weather changes you see different things. The time spent with the cattle reminds me how gentle and inquisitive they are. I got a lick and a sniff from these two, who are a bit bolder than the rest.