bracken wreath

I am always inspired to do a bit of wreath making at this time of year as we approach Christmas (eek!) Something about a wreath makes my heart happy - they are so ancient and festive. People have been making wreaths for thousands of years, and I can understand why. 

I am rather partial to a messy wreath, and the bracken is so plentiful and beautiful at this time of year that I decided to put it to use. I gathered this from the hedges near mum and dad's house in Wales on the way back from a recent trip to Pembrokeshire. 

It happens to make excellent wreath fodder as its stems are malleable and strong so they don't snap as you're bending them, although the fronds are fragile so need gentle handling. 

I wanted the wreath to look quite organic so I used strong wire to make the frame so that it wouldn't be a perfect circle, although I have used the ready-made wreath rings before and they work very well too. I also used a bit of florist wire just to keep everything secure. 

Dried hydrangea heads provide volume and structure, and a bit of colour. These tawny green ones came from the garden in Pembrokeshire and are so lovely I keep wanting to take pictures of them. 

My wreath making session took place one evening after work!

It's very easy to make the circle although it does hurt your hands a bit. I did three rounds of wire for strength. 

When I was happy with the frame, I started tying/twisting on the bracken, tucking it in between the wire and bending it into the shape I wanted. 

Excuse my yellow hands - turmeric not nicotine stained I promise!

I kept going until the whole ring was covered and it felt secure. I tried to follow the natural curve of the bracken if that makes any sense at all.

And voila! One wreath. 

And here it is on our front door, where it has been getting a bit of a battering in the wind (and attaching itself to people as they go in and out). 

exploring in Kent

A few weeks ago we headed into Kent to find some countryside. We were dreaming of trees and hedgerows, dappled forest floors and messy fields. 

We started in Hayes and followed this brilliant route that R found. We are very new to walking in Kent and so having detailed instructions was essential if we weren't going to spend the whole time trying to find our way on Google maps (not the best for a relaxing walk).

We started at Hayes common and headed straight into a small wood. It was the loveliest of days - bright and mild with crisp, clean autumnal air and hazy sun.

The woods were just on the cusp of changing - emerald green turning to tawny orange almost before our eyes

We came across a clearing where little mushrooms were growing on the floor, among shards of silvery bark. 

And then a field of heather, an unfocused mist of tiny purple bells. 

We stopped for a little rest at Keston village green

Before heading off towards Keston Ponds where lots of people were spending a leisurely few hours fishing.

After a little while we came across our next landmark - the Wilberforce Oak, which sits in the grounds of Holwood House. The house was built on a site where William Pitt the Younger used to live, and the oak appears in an entry from William Wilberforce's diary from 1788: "At length, I well remember after a conversation with Mr. Pitt in the open air at the root of an old tree at Holwood, just above the steep descent into the vale of Keston, I resolved to give notice on a fit occasion in the House of Commons of my intention to bring forward the abolition of the slave-trade."

The original oak was destroyed in a storm and the current tree was planted in 1969. The house is now owned by a London banker (weep).

After a few more steps we emerged from the woods and the landscape started to open up.

We came to a crossroads and followed the signs to Downe.

We walked through fields of ponies, grazing in the sunshine. 

After a very pleasant wander through the village of Downe, we carried on, past Christmas Tree farm where we met this shaggy old fellow. Sadly we didn't have time to go to Down House, Charles Darwin's home - a return trip will have to be made. 

These two were very friendly, and very snuffly. I fed them some long grass and a couple of blackberries. 

Although we didn't have time for Down House, we did walk through Downe Bank Nature Reserve where Darwin carried out many of his studies. Some sheep were grazing on the orchard bank.

By now it was high time for our picnic so we found a little grassy spot and set out our blanket.

Apples from our own garden! (Teacakes from Aldi)

After lunch we felt refreshed and headed off again, through a tree-lined boulevard.

More autumnal loveliness. 

And elderberries, and scrawny blackberries. 

And then out into soft afternoon light, rolling fields and wide skies. 

We passed laden hedgerows, brimming with sloes and blackberries, hawthorn and hazel.

Unexpectedly we came across a perfect blackberrying spot and picked as many as we could.

Fingers and lips smudged black, purple-stained, wild-tasting. 

A field of sheep, sun-kissed as the light started to fade, grass starting to collect the dew, shadows gathering at the edges. 

We reached the last leg at Pratts Bottom (heehee). By this time we were getting a little tired. 

As evening started to draw in, we caught the last of the light, seed heads silhouetted against the damp sky.

And finally, our destination! We caught the train back, weary and aching, wonderfully tired, rejuvenated and happy.  

The walk was about 10 miles and took us most of the day (although we took our time as I had to pick up every feather/conker/pretty leaf we saw). 

It was lovely getting to know Kent a bit better, and discovering some proper countryside not far from our doorstep. I can't wait to do another one!