Connect to Nature

28/09/2025

On a recent trip in Monty the Motorhome I fulfilled one of my nature bucket-list items which was to walk down a Holloway. These are ancient paths that are sunken but not formed by engineering but can be formed by erosion from traffic. They are usually then surrounded by a tree arch forming the most beautiful circular path to walk on and notice nature. In this case it is the Halnaker Tree Tunnel in gorgeous West Sussex. Originally part of the Roman road from London to Chichester not only can you appreciate nature but also think about all those who have trodden there before you.

21/04/2025

Next Saturday, 26th April is Whistlewood's Fantastic Earth Day celebration and I am facilitating a Forest Bathing taster walk. Come along for your free! connection with nature. So much more on offer and lots of Have a go experiences at this wonderful event.
Book your free place through https://whistlewoodcommon.org/product/whistlewood-earth-day-ish-celebration-26-april-2025/

Next Saturday, 26th April, 1-4 is our lovely big Whistlewood celebration of Earth Day and our King's Award for Voluntary Service success. There are lots of have-a-go experiences and something for everyone, charges for some experiences but entry is free so come and find out what is going on at Whistlewood Common and explore the site.
Book your free entry ticket online, and find more information on our website. Also lots of information on our activities on our page. https://whistlewoodcommon.org/product/whistlewood-earth-day-ish-celebration-26-april-2025/

15/04/2025

On my travels in Boris the Van, I always love to seek out a tree or 2. These are some of the beauties - famous or otherwise. The Yew Trees at St Edwards Church, Stow-on-the-Wold are said to have influenced Tolkien Doors of Durin, a Yew tree so huge that you can sit in it at the church at Much Marcle and the most gorgeous row of Beech trees on a walk in the Peak District Darwin Forest Area.

16/03/2025

Why not have a go at Pareidolia or seeing shapes in the clouds. Wrap up warm, lie down in a spot you are drawn to and look up to the sky. How often do you give yourself the time and space to do that?

26/10/2024

Delved into the fascinating world of mushrooms with this week and have been trying to do a bit of Iding this morning! The only mushroom I was pretty confident about was the Puffball - these little chaps seem to be called Scleroderma areolatum. Just love the woodwide web they help to create. You really have to be relaxed, present and open your eyes to spot them.
Thx Rob for sharing your knowledge and spotting skills!
🍄

27/05/2024

If you missed the walk at Whistlewood on the 23 May, I am leading another walk on the 5th June. If you would like to book a place please contact me at saundershl65@gmail.com. Your investment: £5.

27/05/2024

Thank you so much to my participants last Thursday night at an Evening of Bathing in the Forest at Whistlewood Common. Some gorgeous pictures taken by one of the participants.

27/05/2024

A lovely Forest Bathing walk last Friday as part of the National Forest Walking Festival round Melbourne Pool and into the Intake Wood. Thankyou to my lovely participants and the Melbourne Estate for allowing this to happen in such a special space.

23/05/2024

It is very important to go out alone, to sit under a tree-not with a book, not with a companion, but by yourself-and observe the falling of a leaf, hear the lapping of the water, the fishermen's song, watch the flight of a bird, and of your own thoughts as they chase each other across the space of your mind. If you are able to be alone and watch these things, then you will discover extraordinary riches which no government can tax, no human agency can corrupt, and which can never be destroyed.
~Jiddu Krishnamurti

My walk tomorrow morning (24 May at 11 am) at Melbourne Pool very much reflects the above. There are spaces if you would like to join us. Please message below.

25/05/2023

Beautiful day yesterday for a private Forest Bathing walk. During the sit spot invitation this lovely drawing was completed by one of the participants. The sit spot invitation gives those on a Forest Bathing walk a chance to really get close to Nature, immersing themselves in their surroundings, taking in the sky, and the web of life that is around them.

22/05/2023

A picture taken after the Tea Ceremony at the Forest Bathing Walk I delivered on Sunday as part of the National Forest Walking Festival.
I was so busy this was the only picture I took! We often end a Forest Bathing walk with a Tea Ceremony with the tea made from herbs found in the environment in which the walk has taken place. It was fabulous to forage for the herbs and share their properties with the participants. The tea ceremony helps participants to prepare to return to everyday life after immersion in their walk.

17/05/2023

This summarises so beautifully why we all need to connect to Nature for our wellbeing. Forest Bathing can become a practice. Start by going out with a guide who can help you to set intentions, attend a few sessions and then it can become part of your day - inviting nature into your life every day.

Shinrin Yoku originated in Japan in the 1980’s as a response to mass urbanization, disconnection from the land, and the results of unhealthy lifestyles in large overcrowded cities.

Here in the West we currently face a different type of challenge – we have been encouraged to consume more, as a way of supporting an unsustainable economy, based on finite resources, and leading to ecological degradation and climate change.

We are also witnessing an increase in demands on an overstretched NHS, as our unbalanced lifestyles contribute to disease and illness.

Shinrin Yoku is an evidence-based approach to encouraging people to engage with the natural world – particularly trees; and demonstrating through clinical testing and research the physical and immunological benefits of contact with Nature.

Explore forest bathing today.