Late December

A quiet day before Christmas – a stroll along Shirlett Lane will be perfect. Big trees have fallen here, fortunately (not for them!) parallel to the lane, rather than across it. Beyond, further into the wood the stands of deciduous trees seem intact – it’s the shallow-rooted wind-catching conifers that have suffered. It’s a strange afternoon, grey overhead, but to the south, over the Clees, there’s unfocused brightness – a misty glow in the sky.