Storm Amy: tidying up

Moss "Look Mum, I've found another one!"

Last week storm Amy brought heavy rain and strong winds to large parts of the UK – leaving thousands of homes without power across Scotland and Northern Ireland.  I believe that East Anglia was not hugely affected, but it was certainly enough for me to cancel my weekly river swim!  

Personally, I felt it most in the woods.  When Moss and I set off the morning after the storm, we found some of our regular paths blocked by fallen trees and broken branches.

There was a jagged drama to it all.  

It gave me the feeling that we too are part of the storm, part of nature.

Moss, ever the opportunist, was thrilled with all the extra sticks to play with!

I couldn’t take on the big branches, but I could tackle some of the smaller ones, and haul them off the pathways.  I discovered that there is something deeply satisfying about moving a branch and clearing a pathway, and making it to flow again. 

Our pathways are precious; we need to care for them.

It was a small gesture of community spirit.  For me, putting in a bit of physical effort, made me feel part of something bigger - the clear up after the storm.

It also addresses my deep-felt desire to tidy up!

AJK