In The Woods With Dave!

Hi… Dave here,

In these troubled times, I find that one of the best ways of changing how I feel, is to go for a walk in the woods.

Gratitude here, because I am still able to do this and also because we live in the beautiful County of East Sussex.

We live on the outskirts of a small town and there are beautiful walks up on the Ashdown Forest. Or closer to home, woodlands with an abundance of wildlife, flora and forna.

This of course got me to thinking whilst on one of these walks, “Woodbine and Ivy”. Where had I heard these words?

Then I remembered… they are in a line from a John Martyn song, or at least I believe it to be his, there may be earlier versions with similar words.
I’m not too sure.

But one thing I am sure about is the ‘theme’, and that tells of a man who has lost his way.

He is bewildered, confused, lost and somewhat depressed.

I am sure that many people, including myself, have at some point in their lives felt this way. What is it all about!!!???

He finds his answer in nature. In simple beauty and connection .

Spencer the Rover

John Martyn

This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover
As valiant a man as ever left home
And he had been much reduced
Which caused great confusion
And that was the reason he started to roam.

In Yorkshire near Rotherham, he had been on the ramble
Weary of traveling, he sat down to rest
By the foot of yon’ mountain
Lays a clear flowing fountain
With bread and cold water he himself did refresh.

With the night fast approaching, to the woods he resorted
With woodbine and ivy his bed for to make
But he dreamt about sighing
Lamenting and crying
Go home to your family and rambling forsake.

‘Twas the fifth day of November, I’ve reason to remember
When first he arrived home to his family and friends
And they did stand so astounded
Surprised and dumbfounded
To see such a stranger once more in their sight.

And his children come around him with their prittle prattling stories
With their prittle prattling stories to drive care away
And he’s as happy as those
As have thousands of riches
Contented he’ll remain and not ramble away.

This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover
As valiant a man as ever left home
And he had been much reduced
And caused great confusion
And that was the reason he started to roam.

Hope you enjoyed that.
Hope wins through in the end.

Clarity matters, doesn’t it just!

Dave x

17 thoughts on “In The Woods With Dave!

  • 1st July 2020 at 10:09 am
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    Hi Dave, Thank you for sharing these pictures which a abound with tranquility, especially for those who may not be able to get about at the moment.

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  • 1st July 2020 at 11:26 am
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    Dave – you’re so right, nature is such a healer.

    I live in a town, so it’s harder to quickly and easily walk in the countryside (which is where I grew up). However, our town is quite green, so it’s not too hard to find a walk with trees and hedges, so I can hear the birds singing, and see flowers and butterflies (on a good day)

    This morning, to my delight, what should appear from under a garden hedge but a lovely white duck, and her three big ducklings. Gorgeous, and definitely not what I expected to see today.

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  • 1st July 2020 at 11:59 am
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    Thank you, Dave, for sharing both the pictures and the song.

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  • 1st July 2020 at 4:40 pm
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    Hi Dave, thanks for sharing the photos, song and thoughts. I find Nature often has an answer for my questions or worries. We’re 16 weeks into our self-isolation for many reasons and missing the woodland walks to help us through. Fortunately there is plenty of Nature in the back garden – fledging robins and blackbirds, the wildflower “garden” that sprung up to attract all sorts of insects and birds, beautiful butterflies and a curious fox!
    Nature heals and Clarity Matters – although at the moment Clarity is essential! The Blogs, the SHAC, the downloads and the connections! And there is always the music …

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  • 1st July 2020 at 4:42 pm
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    Thank you Dave. Appreciate your thoughtful and encouraging blog post. Thank for the addition of the music video – wonderful.

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  • 1st July 2020 at 8:00 pm
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    Thank you for reminding me of the late great John Martyn. Had the privilege of seeing him live once, so magical.

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  • 1st July 2020 at 10:14 pm
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    Thanks, Dave. There is such peace and energy in nature when I need a refill. Leaning on a tree is the fastest way but my garden has done great things for me during lockdown. Clearing and replanting gave me much needed exercise and now it is crowded with birds, butterflies and vibrant veg. It’s great to eat things you grew and gathered minutes ago.

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  • 1st July 2020 at 10:17 pm
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    Nature is so healing and making you feeling so peacefull.
    Thank you for the lovely pictures of the wood. I’m living 5 minutes walking from the woods and sometimes the little deer are coming into my garden.
    The song is great and have friends living in Yorkshire.
    Stay save and healthy you both.
    Greetings, Trijntje Huppel

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    • 1st July 2020 at 10:30 pm
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      Hi Dave,
      I really like walking through woods, I think there is a magical atmosphere in them. Unfortunately, at the moment , I am struggling to walk anywhere but I mustn’t complain, apart from my knee I am relatively healthy and all of my family and friends are safe and well. Thank you for the John Martyn track. Solid Air is one of my favourite albums of all time with “ May You Never” one of my favourite songs. Stay safe and well, Alisonxxx

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  • 1st July 2020 at 10:44 pm
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    Thank you Dave, very soothing. I love walking through the woodland and listening to the birds. xx

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  • 2nd July 2020 at 6:23 pm
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    lovely pictures & song – both have a calming feel to them. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  • 3rd July 2020 at 2:25 am
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    Hi Dave,
    You really know how to take a good photo. They seem to lead you into the beautiful woods, and I know for sure that my Labrador (Lily) would adore running around in there.
    Thanks for the lyrics to that song. Really make you think.
    I’m sure you enjoyed your walk.
    Love & Hugs
    Xxxx

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  • 3rd July 2020 at 1:01 pm
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    Your woodland is as beautiful as that behind my home. It is the ancient woodland along the top of the North Kent downs. I take our whippets there for their walk – so many paths I let them choose which one they want to go down- and I sit on a log and watch them enjoying their walk. They are both old now (like me!) so just mooch around checking out the pee-mail and trying to find nice smells to roll in! I just enjoy the sound of birdsong (and birds squabbling!!) and the rustle of the wind in the trees. It’s so peaceful as there are almost no planes going over these days -could be any time in any century.
    Thanks for the delightful photos and the musical interlude -lovely. I hope your foot is feeling better. I woke with a ganglion on my wrist a couple of months ago. Thought I’d broken it somehow in the night!! Must get a GP appointment as it ain’t going away!! Please get your foot looked at too.

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  • 4th July 2020 at 5:07 pm
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    Sorry Dave only just read your blog. I love trees, and would love a walk through the ones you have near. I have a lot of very tall ones at the back of my bungalow, very worrying when we have these strong winds. Can’t walk anywhere except the garden.
    Love the words of the song , thank you Hope you’re foot is better
    Please say thank you to Barbara, for the lovely surprise I received on Friday of the plates I had won on the open day. I hadn’t looked on the blog with a list of winners. Very thrilled with them.

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  • 6th July 2020 at 3:24 pm
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    Loved the peace and tranquility through those beautiful woods, I to love nature and seeing all the wild animals, Thankyou for sharing

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  • 8th July 2020 at 7:43 am
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    Thanks Dave for sharing that. Lovely. Hope the foot pain is lessening. Take care.

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