Tuesday 10 March 2009

Trees


TREES. I love them. Especially when they are next to other trees.
Standing in a forest feels like being stood over kindly by a huddle of gentle mossy old men.
We love to park our house best near to trees too... and so we have. But not today.

Today I write from the antithesis of a forest clearing... our house is parked in an industrial estate, outside a diesel garage who are trying to fix the radiator. We thought it was just a small hole to mend, but after hours of wrestling the radiator out, its copper innards were revealed to have turned to paper, after 30 years of radiating.. and so it needs to be sent away and refurbished. Meanwhile we must stay here. We have hung all the curtains and are trying to pretend we are still in that forest clearing, so I shall tell you about our days with trees instead...



The photographs above were taken in a lovely forest park which we discovered on a walk back when we were in the orchard... there is of course a no overnight parking sign there too.. but we thought to try it for a night. And it was delightful. The most lovely day greeted us on waking and the birds sung their tiny songs for us all day, while I painted a tree on a clock (with trees out the window!) and Tui stained picture frames for the weekend ahead. We put up our sign again, and though it was not busy, a fair few walkers and dogs came past and chatted. We felt welcomed... the back door was open in the balmy weather and folks I think felt more able to come and peek... There was an art group visiting the woods who stopped to chat and tell us about a summer exhibition they were planning amongst the trees. Even the park warden was friendly, though he had to "log" our number plate in his daily council report, since we had spent the night there. We ate dinner on the logs outside in the evening and collected twigs for kindling before heading off to town for the next day's selling.



Back at the park and ride, which had been our home for a few weeks previously, we met some friendly fellow vehicle dwellers who became our neighbours for a while... Tracy and Troy are a mother and son living in their camper van and we have enjoyed saying good mornings to them by the water tap as their little dog races about happily. Tracy has begun a blog and I gave 9 year old Troy a drawing lesson in the back of our truck one day. He is home educated and a keen artist ... we had fun learning the proportions and structure of a face. They came with us on a wood hunting expedition too, tramping along the secret track that takes you from carpark to woodland ... and we brought back bagfuls of logs from a disintegrating forest walkway, made at some previous time by unknown passers by.

In the chinks between all the ups and downs and ins and outs of our life these last couple of weeks, I have painted and drawn and I have written more pages of my story, which I am beginning to love. I have sneaked to coffeehouses and curled up in a comfortable corner with headphones on, and managed to create an oasis of space in my head to allow the tale to be woven.
I shall be back here again soon with clock works and new journeys... and hopefully a sparkling new radiator.

42 comments:

Cindy said...

Came across your blog. How interesting. Love the heading drawing. It was what caught my eye. Thanks for sharing
Have a great day
Cindy

Kim said...

I hope you soon fix the radiator and can move to a nicer location again. How you manage to work at all is a miracle. Take care and I look forward to the pictures of your clock.

Kim x

Shelley Noble said...

I'm watching and listening closely, Rima.

Marveling at your gifts.

Ruthie Redden said...

Hoping your radiator is very soon back in place so you can continue on your magical journey. I love trees too, wonderful things, mysterious & wise - am hoping to do a "tree" set of illustrations v soon. waiting with baited breath for your next treasures *ruthie*

Yoli said...

Oh I hope you get it fixed soon my friend.

Bagman and Butler said...

I'm with Shelley Noble...just watching in awe at your journey and what you are doing with it. And, yes, great trees.

Valaine said...

:) What do you listen to when you put on your headphones? If you don't mind me asking.

Shell said...

I just found your blog the other week. I'm enchanted already. I do love Trees as well. They are full of energy and strength.

Auguste said...

I must say this blog entry is a little wink in my life right now... I'm feeling so overwhelmed by expectations in school and lack of a muse... this surely brings a smile on my face especially when you speak of the friendly mother and boy... Hope all radiator troubles will be over soon =P

Ciara Brehony said...

Oh these tantalizing tid-bits of your days Rima...

So glad things on the people front are going well, and may all your radiator problems be mended very soon.

Love Ciara x

Me and the Cat said...

What a wonderful, restful blog you have! It is very peaceful-feeling to read about your recent happenings (so hope your radiator is fixed soon). Just looking at your photos is a treat! Thanks so much for sharing your wanderings!

Robinn

Carol Stocker said...

Hi Rima! I love your spirit and sense of adventure! I, too, love being in the middle of trees, looking up and seeing the gorgeous canopy of the branches and the beautiful sky just beyond their reach. Those precious memories seem to be embossed in my mind and it's so wonderful to close my eyes and imagine being there yet again.

Wishing your radiator a speedy recovery so that you & Tui can continue your journey...and when there are no trees, close your eyes paint them in your mind. Hugs, Carol

Anonymous said...

Hope you soon get to move to nicer place! And that you have checked your vehicle thoroughly so that you won't have an endless series of breakdowns.
MJ

Artsnark said...

Thanks again for allowing your readers to travel with you for a spell. Good luck with that radiator & your story.

Whisperings 13 said...

I know exctly how you feel. People think I'm a bit touched because I love "my" trees- it is why I bought my home. The trees. :sigh:
Your prints arrived today. Just lovely! Thank you ever so much!
:o) Trace

shadows and clouds said...

good luck with the radiator, hope it gets sorted as soon as possible. i love your tree tales and photos. what a magical adventure. can't wait for 'the story'..am most intrigued!

Dia said...

When I've read the title, I smiled because my last post was about trees as well. But yours seem happier, with that green misty hallo around them. Mine seem dusty and rusty :D (Romanian climate). I find odd the fact that you have councils everywhere and that they put no parking signs everywhere. I thought art and free spirit are cherished in the more civilised countries. Having the chance to meet you and chat a bit should be considered a privilege by everybody.

Anonymous said...

Twigs and sticks, amongst my favourite natural art things... and there are you in that beautiful last photo- that could easily become a favourite too. Hope your radiator troubles will be over soon. What a delightful blog you have, and how wonderful Rima that you take time to share your talent with others. I'm sure your little friend will always remember his special art lesson.

Jess said...

Its lovely to hear how you're doing. I think people talk to eachother more there than they do here in jolly old suburbia! I love to see those pictures of trees even though they don't tell the whole story ;) Does Tui make art to sell too? Jessx

Anonymous said...

I hope the radiator gets fixed quickly. It can't be much fun being surrounded by an industrial estate. Trees have an atmosphere all of their own. :-)

carol said...

When I see you have updated the biggest smile comes to me. your world seems magical. I live in Maine in the US. In the woods! I grew up where it was so dark at night you could not see your hand in front of your face. The woods have some parts that are so otherworldly and fairylike you almost think you could see fairies. But there are areas that are "dark" and as children we would run as fast as we could. I wish you a happy and safe journey.

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

A hearty "get well soon" to your radiator, so you can both get back near your beloved trees. I'm not on wheels as you are, but still a kindred spirit. I love reading your blog of travels and art. Bless you both. Vicki

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

I've been checking nearly every day wondering how the radiator was doing... alas new part needed. I hope it is delivered really speedily and fitted very quickly then you can find some more lovely trees and move on to more adventures.
Great that you have still found space to write some more, and a cafe to cosy in!

Hugs :)
Jane

tracy said...

What a contrast the world can be, one minute beauty, colour and serenity. The next noisy, smelly and dirty. Bit like people as well, although they never see the similarities.
We enjoyed ourselves, especially spending time with u both. Look forward to meeting up soon.
x

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Drat the machinery. I do hope it is fixed soon.

I do love hearing about your adventures, Rima. And I cannot wait to read your story!

Hope you are repaired and travelling again soon. Full speed ahead!

buzylizy said...

cant wait for your story it will be compelling reading just like your blog, I long for every instalment and re read it regularly. Hope the motor is repaired real soon and full speed ahead,sending hugs to you both, busy lizy x

buzylizy said...

cant wait to read your story it will be compelling reading just like your blogspot-I long for every installment and re-read it often.Hope your motor is repaired soon, full speed ahead to new pastures and adventures, hugs to you both, busylizy x

Unknown said...

Hi Rima, Ciara from milkmoon told me about your blog so I decided to check it out! I have to say that I am gobsmacked by the beauty and whimsy in your art!!!!!! And your home is wonderful. I amazed your willingness to be nomadic. I don't know if I could do it, plus I have three kids who might not last very long. But I secretly wish I could try it. I do hope that the welcome mats outnumber the shillelaghs!

The Odd Bird said...

Rima, I want to come be your friend and travel around, paint and draw with you, drink tea and walk in the woods. You, Tui and your life are so magical. I'm taken away to another time whenever I read your blog. Thank you for sharing with a wannabe nomad.

Anonymous said...

Rima!
It's Natasha here, just stopped by to say hello :) Hope you are ok and your van gets fixed you crazy thing you ;) When I see my brother next I must remember to ask him if he knows of anywhere you can park up near the villages around Peterborough where he lives - lots of medieval churches and streams nearby, I'm sure there must be somewhere xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Radiators - there's always something isn't there. Glad to hear your continuing tree-ish adventures. And sounds from your neighbour boy that you might be a very good teacher.

Twisted Hare said...

Hi Rima, I found a link to your blog at A Fanciful Twist's blog.
What a beautiful job you two have done on your home! It's truly inspiring.
Here's to having a new radiator soon and moving on to more serene surroundings.

linda said...

Great to hear you are well, read your blog regularly and please keep safe, hope the truck is fixed soon.
Linda (from Australia)

Anonymous said...

Wishing you speedy repairs and safe journeys.

The crow print arrived safe and sound... soon to have a lovely place in my new studio.

Best Wishes,

Margaret

Gilli said...

Hello Rima, and Tui also. I have to ditto the other entries here. Following along with your adventures eases a bit of the wanderlust I think most of us get from time to time. It's easier to face my days in the hospital caring for surgical patients when I get to escape in a traveling home now and then. Bright Blessings, Gilli

Carl V. Anderson said...

Here I just wished you no more vehicle repairs recently and up crop more! I am so very sorry. As before, I'll certainly hope and pray that this will be the last for a long, long time. I'm sure it is all the more frustrating being parked somewhere that is not exactly inspirational!

I too love the trees. When it come to deciding to buy a house we had to pick an older home that had big, grown trees already. I couldn't bear to have a yard devoid of trees that I would have to plant a bunch of tiny trees in. I have since planted trees in my yard, but it is nice to have these wonderful old big trees to watch over them and inspire then to grow straight and true.

It is a shame that the no parking areas have to exist. I know they are not their for good folks like you, but instead are in place so that trouble makers are discouraged from loitering. The trouble is that troublemakers don't pay attention and those who should be allowed to stay in those areas are the only ones who generally feel obligated to honor the postings or end up paying the price. I am glad you were able to stay there, at least that one night, and hope there will be plenty of wonderful, tree-filled spaces for you to park in in the days and weeks to come.

Mokihana Calizar said...

Oh how wonderful to be given the gift of your wanderings. Your website arrived as a gift on my blog this morning. Reader connects on the blosphere like whalesound on water ... such long melodies.

I love your art, and your gift for the telling. We are wanderers too, like kolea (golden plover) we have crossed oceans and are building our soon to be wheeling VARDOFORTWO. It is such a comfort to know we will join a covey of spirits such as your dear selves. We will be following you.

Aloha ~~Mokihana

Anonymous said...

ah the joy of getting Mokihana and Pete to your site of wondrous adventures. I am happy just in the connecting...

Laurie said...

I am so happy to have found your blog and especially these trees. Mine follow me around, but I have only ever found a really malevolent one.

I look forward to studying every part of the Hermitage!

Best wishes

Laurie

eliana said...

Hi Rima, well I´m from Colombia so my english is not really good, but i just wanted you to know that there are people like me, far away of your home, far away of every place you visit that want to live like you do. I wan to tell you that someday I will travel over the world, and feel the nature and the magic in every thing like you do, i wish you the best on your trips, and well...every time I see your photos I think of what you are doing in that moment. Is wonderful to read the blog, and I hope you write me back to my e-mail: elianola@hotmail.com and give me one advice about this way of living.
Bye, and i wish you the best.
Eliana

Blog Admin said...

Wow. I found your blog through the hermitage site.. and I must say, your blog is probably the nicest looking blog I've ever come a across! Did you do all these drawings!? They're wonderful!

I really love all the pictures you post. I cant wait to start my hermits life... someday. :}

laoi gaul~williams said...

i hope those pipes are sorted soon and you are back on your way to hopefully find a new spot to spend a while!