Foraging in Ackley Wood

                                                                                       

Dear friends,

Even in the coldest days of winter a little springtime can be found. Since the trees have the beginnings of bud and the birds are more vocal these past few mornings my apprentice, young Salley Owens, and I went on a little walk to do a bit of foraging. It was a fine sunny day, crisp and calm, perfect for a stroll in the Ackley Wood. A nice meandering walk gives one the opportunity to take morning exercise as well as be productive. Baskets in hand, shawls wrapped tightly about us, Salley and I set out in the hopes of finding some early violets.

The leaves crunched under our feet as we went on. Snowdrops were plentiful and such a cheery sight. Drifts of them here and there beckoning us to come closer. Salley is an eager pupil and so we talked of the healing properties of the snowdrops. The ancients used them readily to clear their minds and improve their memories which prompted Salley to rub the leaves on her forehead to help her remember all the things we talked of on our walk, clever girl. We added some leaves and flowers of this cold weather friend to our baskets.

We passed by the birch and checked that the plugs held fast so that when the sap begins to run we may collect it and enjoy the medicinal benefits of the sweet nectar from this beautiful tree. It should not be long now for the catkins are showing already. After examining the tree, a bit of bark was taken for making ink later on.

Good Tom Meyrick came upon us as we studied the primroses whose bright green foliage made a nice contrast against the fallen leaves of autumn. Their yellow blooms, just beginning to open, brought a splash of warmth to the forest floor. Tom spoke with us a for a time and told us of some rose hips he came across near the fallen elm he was chopping for firewood, a most welcome suggestion.

Winter savoury was spotted near the sitting stone, sheltered by that ample rock and growing freely. We were careful to only take a small quantity for our purposes and went on to pick some new nettle leaves to add to our baskets. Nettles aid the circulation and it is said the Scots rub them upon their legs to induce warmth. The soft new leaves made into an electuary with sugar and honey help to aid shortness of breath and wheezing which will help Samuel Tilghman.

Our baskets were brimming with helpful plants, barks and mosses, both ground and tree, so we made our way to the old elm where Good Tom Meyrick advised us the rose hips were plentiful, to complete our scavenging. Tis good to walk and talk on a sunny day in the wood: a most productive morning and leading to an equally productive afternoon of sorting and preserving our bounty. We were too early for the violets today, but we’ll forage again when they are in bloom.

                                                                   Fondly,
                                                                          Old Mary