Every year on the second Saturday of February we have lunch with a particular set of friends – its been a tradition for the last 14 years.  The group evolves but the core of people remain the same.

They live on Ashdown Forest so the day out is also a treat for the dogs.  We arrive early so they get a quick run around.  Why is it called Ashdown Forest when there are very few trees about – it’s much more like open moor land?  No doubt I should look it up.

After lunch everyone goes on a longer walk – its always the same route but it never really feels like the same.  The paths get wider, move a little to the left or right to avoid an obstacle, sometimes they’re muddy, occasionally dry.  This year the foresters are clearing the bracken and gorse as well as uprooting the silver birches.  Some years the snowdrops and daffodils are out, this year everything is behind.  It’ll be a few more weeks before we welcome in Spring.  Judging by the iced puddles, Winter hasn’t shut its door on us yet.

It fascinates me how a seemingly static view evolves over time – you just need to remember to observe the small changes.