It’s no secret that for the last 2 years we’ve been on a journey, through grief and battling mental illness, and lots of physical mobility issues, and in this time, we’ve retreated and stepped back from social lives, events, clubbing, and instead choose things that feed the soul.

We had already been walking as mobility allows, and camped, then wild camped, embarked on a car camping journey too as this is friendlier on hips and current health issues. With this we gained a greater respect for the quiet, the slow, the peace, in fact it’s quite addictive. And while it fixes the mind and it really does, it’s a shame the body isn’t so easily fixed.

Instead of racing around and being in soul sucking crowded places, we are taking time to see the changing of the seasons, embracing the windy walks, and orange colours (while they last) the raging rivers, and general stillness of the woods. Here it feels more authentic and genuine, than brightly lit shops, and blaring music, creating a stimulation overload, no wonder we get depressed. I used to dread the cold, the dark, feel low in mood and most of all stressed out.

Now I’m actively doing what the seasons and our ancestors used to do, embrace these dark nights and read books, play board games, try some crafts. Or get outside even in the rain, knowing you can soon get home and warm up again with hot water bottles and blankets. Take this quite time of the year to slow down, take stock, make hearty batch cooked foods, instead of racing to the next holiday of the year. Midwinter was a time to feast and be with those you love, giving each other blessings that we know Spring will come soon, and the dark nights and cold can’t last forever.

To help me enjoy the slow seasons more and gain more skills, I bought this book, which has crafts for each season, recipes, foraging tips and so much more. If like me you bring in most of the outdoors in, with found feathers, leaves, sticks and stones you’ve found that represent the seasons, this book is for you! So cut some Holly, bring in some Ivy, dehydrate some oranges for Christmas tree decorations, and live a slower pace.

One place that never fails to give me happiness is the Druid Caves up Birchover in the Peak District.

It’s a collection of local gritsone rocks that were carved in the 18th century by Thomas Eyre, he fashioned them to reflect his passion of druid order, he himself was a member of Ancient Order of Druids, and hoped to bring people to the area to see them, and use them in their spiritual ways.

Man made or not, it’s a stunning place, and it certainly does bring people to the area to enjoy them, so mission accomplished.

There are areas to climb, to boulder, and sit on, or even climb inside and take shelter. Your imagination can run wild here, a perfect place to be inspired and let the child inside run free.

Some are a squeeze to crawl into, but not all of them, one even has a spy hole we had great fun shining lights at each other.

We sit up here for our sandwiches and look out to the views, listening to the glorious birdsong and scampering squirrels. It’s as close to heaven as you can get.

After what has felt an age, we had a gap in the rain. So boots on, it’s time to get some fresh air. Something we both needed greatly.

Some gloomy shots as it’s late in the day, but some when the light catches the trees, are like fire! Though these leaves won’t be here much longer, so it’s nice to see them before they have all fallen.

Watched the sun go down, cold toes and hands we walked back to the car, light fading and the feeling it’s the Fae’s turn to come out and enjoy the woods. Soon time to get home and warm up with a hot chocolate. Grateful this is a mere stones throw from home.