The beauty and fungi of Juliet's Woods

Back in August, when we were in Northumberland, I was keen for us to have an evening walk and CBC suggested we drive to Slaley to visit a place called Juliet's Woods (however, another time I want to visit Slaley Forest).

We parked where you can see (spot the red car in the picture)

These photos are in a random order so enjoy my random musings.

CBC spotted this tree at one point

He decided to climb into it.

I wondered what he was photographing...

And later, I found out!

We came out the woods into a meadow at one point.

On the way home, driving along the Hexham Race course road, the sunset was incredible!

I thought this fungi's gills looked like a labyrinth. I am happy to know its name is Oak Mazegill- a very appropriate moniker!

This is what they looked like from above.

This tree had a beautiful heart-shaped hole.

Here's an old Brittlegill (Russula)- could be a Rosy Brittlegill or a Primrose Brittlegill more likely.

The light streaming through the trees was glorious and golden. Impossible to capture in a photo!

This Beefsteak fungus was easy to ID!

We saw a wealth of this fungus!

CBC spotted this very old and manky Chicken of the Woods under some holly! The brackets were unusually low down.

There were so many ebullient red berries around.

The Haws on the Hawthorn below looked tempting. You can make a lovely winter tonic from these or Ketchup!

Another little fungus- not sure what!

A view of the meadow again.

And here I am again!

Close ups of the meadow.

Here's a birch polypore looking a bit beaky.

This one even more so! Not sure what this was!

 Both CBC and I agreed it had been a magical walk, we even saw some deer and heard many squirrels. I even collected some hazelnuts! We must return!

Fungi of the small woods

When I was in Hexham in August, in the evening after I saw the Dalek exhibit, I managed to drag CBC out for a walk in the small woods near his mum's house.    He always moans when I get what he calls 'itchy' which is basically when I feel like we've been stuck in his mum's front room watching the news for too long when we should be out enjoying the outside world but he ALWAYS ends up enjoying it when I manage to convince him to do it!

We saw a few interesting fungi though mostly, I don't know what they are!

We saw a few of this large mushroom- I enjoyed the contrasting colour of the gills.

I looked up and enjoyed the gap in the trees. When I posted about the joy I get from seeing the canopy of trees, I didn't realise that actually, according to a insta post I saw, our brains are wired to feel good when we see the fractal patterns of trees.

This fungus looks like Turkey Fantail but I saw something recently that had a different name but looked similar.

I was so lucky to see this TINY fungus below as it was only about 1.5cm tall but I recognised it instantly. It is called Yellow Stagshorn.

I love how bright it is- like arms waving!

Another of the same fungus from before? I'm not sure.

I loved the way this one was growing out of the moss.

This one growing out of the tree was another mystery!

 After this brief, but fulfilling, walk, we headed into town to Buon Giorno- our favourite Italian restaurant!

Written in the stars

I always enjoy a trip to Hexham Abbey when I visit Hexham. This time, there was a beautiful display of origami stars made by schools and communities.

The exhibition is entitled:

Stars for Eternity

We are raising thousands of origami stars to the Abbey ceiling, all of them made by local people and dedicated to the shining souls who have brightened others’ lives.

Suspended 45ft high in the Chancel of the Abbey, the stars stretch from the old choir stalls to the high altar and are lit from each side. The stars are high enough that dedications can't be read from the floor, keeping memories and thoughts private but still present, much like a prayer. 

Similar to the Angel exhibition from a couple of years ago, I really enjoyed the effect of these being displayed.

 Such a wonderful display

I went for a walk in the rain...

It was dusk and I needed some solitude so I set out up the hill.  It started to rain but this didn't deter me.

I saw so much beauty, a few examples of which I will share.