‘April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land.’
I know I’m not the only person to have experienced lockdown as something of a personal wake-up call. For many, an enforced slower pace of life brought with it the uncommon benefit of time. The frantic pace of London living can be overwhelming often diminishing one’s indulgence in life-enriching pursuits. Yet during this time I was privileged to experience a snapshot of a very different life indeed. Spending time in nature and photographing it – two of my favourite pursuits, reintroduced me to a world I had inhabited as a child but had gradually lost sight of as the responsibilities of adulthood prevailed. Maybe our ‘new normal’ is just a return to what should have been?
‘However true it may be that we have estranged ourselves from Nature, it is nonetheless true that we feel we are in her and belong to her. It can be only her own working which pulsates also in us. We must find the way back to her again.’
Rudolf Steiner
An example of some of the artwork that can be found during a stroll along the Nature Reserve. At the beginning of lockdown the former railway line was a refuge away from the confines of one’s four walls, where outdoor pursuits were only supposed to comprise of an hour of non-stop walking for exercise. We made much use of this peaceful haven in the middle of our metropolis.
Parkland Walk, April 5th
The Plague Doctor has become a regular feature as he does his shopping on the Broadway. No one’s going to challenge his commitment to PPE.
Crouch End Broadway, April 9th
North London was awash with the sweet scents of the bluebells in April. This was taken in an area I call ‘The Pixie Pathway’. If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the fairies giggling in the undergrowth…
Priory Park, April 11th
‘If I had to live my life over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances,
I would ride more merry-go-rounds,
I would pick more daisies.’
Nadine Stair
Priory Park, May 4th
There is an area in the park where the kids like to hide. This set of trees was planted to separate the pavilion area from the tennis courts. It is also home to a family of Robins. The fledglings, unaware of the danger presented by humans would look down at you with their characteristic grumpy expression, ignoring their parents’ pleas to fly away!
Priory Park, May 5th
‘Greedy Guts’. I started to feed her regularly on our daily walks. She now recognises my voice and follows me around the park. She’s such a little bruiser, chasing off squirrels and Wood Pigeons alike in her quest to hog all the nuts. I’m rather besotted with this girl.
Priory Park, May 18th
The roses in Priory Park hosted an abundance of life as Spring turned to Summer. Amidst the butterflies we discovered a fledgling Song Thrush taking shelter within the thorny bushes.
Priory Park, May 18th
Pooh Bear and Piglet join us for a Spring adventure near the Witches Coven in the woods. Magic abounds!
Queen’s Wood, May 24th
Fungi are a perfect example of the impermanence of nature and the cycle of life. These popped up almost overnight in a spot where we feed the squirrels and they disappeared almost as quickly too.
Priory Park, June 13th
Funky fungi or as my child describes them: ‘Tiny red fairy butts’.
Queen’s Wood, June 21st
I had run out of food by the time this juvenile Mallard came to me. S/he didn’t seem bothered and decided to stay with me long after the ducks, geese and swans lost interest. It was quite the magical moment and s/he let me take plenty of photos.
Finsbury Park, July 5th
One of the most joyful places to spend time. Capoeira, Drum Circle, duck feeding, dog training, picnicking, basketball, skateboarding, sunbathing, spell making and even Ballroom Dancing! It seems that all of life is represented in this one space in North London.
Finsbury Park, July 12th