December – Woodland gathering at 60 – the blessing of the cabin

A few b&w photos of my mother aged 40 and I, first born, in the Drawing room of Quebec Road. My mother in France, where I was conceived. Me pushing Liz the poodle in a wheel barrow in our back garden.

The day began with the weather – of course – which was a half hearted attempt to snow which failed into grey rain. This was Halesworth, Suffolk – the rest of the UK even London was carpeted in fairyland snow. In bed with two dogs, milky coffee and Humboldt. One hundred years after his birth Humboldt was celebrated across the world as a remarkable scientist yet today he is hardly known, certainly not by me until last month. So still surprised and learning at 60. After this unusual self indulgence, I rose at 10 and never quite caught up with the day. The van – loaded with soups – didn’t start, saved by Jo, soups wheelbarrowed all up to cabin. Put up tarp to protect from westerly wind rain. Lit the fire! Heated the mulled wine.

Cindy was the first to arrive, driving over  skidy roads and thick snow from Fressingfield. Jill reminded me I hadn’t put out the yellow flags. faithful Brian from Rigeons and his wife.  Becky – looking wonderful compared to my wet suite – I was glad to find had located Chris to speak with as they’d get on well. Jim with a squash to offer. Ros arrived under her umbrella. Rob and Christine – Rob melding into the woodland in his camel hair coat, Christine complementing on the pheasant curry. ‘Is the far right on the rise? R asked, after a shocking story of an anti hunt man saying to him ‘I hope you never get well’.  Sylve rocked up with 3 friends from Norwich, (one the driver), flashing telephone around her neck, carrying multiple gifts wrapped in colourful paper. One friend was Indian and I vaguely remember a conversation about Shiva and Kali. Roy Garland the local farmer from Dairy Farm, came then came back with his daughter to show her the cabin. Ben Laughill and Stuart and Roy talked trees and land. Les came with a gift of dog biscuits – practical –  and talked with Frank, who’d arrived with Emily. A flurry of Halesworth women, Serena, Jenny, Marion – who played her flute.  Sheila, Cyrilla, and more that I cannot recall. Neil came and left immediately leaving a card. The last to come were Cali and Jennie who I’d been wanting to come the wood for ages. Fresh off the press his latest organ from East Folk called The Wanderen Star.  Ah no not quite last, Caroline – who found a connection to Frank’s past life.

It was 5 by the time I got home, leaving an hours turn around before the evening began. Barry far too cold and ill to help out, took the dogs. Telfer – unexpectedly turned up at East Lodge and came in for tea and conversation, perceptive and oh if only I had more time to linger. Soup made out of remains of Pheasant curry, water proofs on again. MJ and Jo and David were already on the case of putting up the intermittent flames along the track, Jo sorting the very wet bonfire. ‘It’s not raining’ said MJ optimistically. Despite this ‘weather’ all came, walking down the track, these friends from different parts of a life. Mulled wine, chatter, before the retreat to the track entrance. Flares lit. Stevan and Pam had made half a dozen additional flares, Graham had his and my two gifted by Graham N, meant that many – 16? – could carry our burning flames. Tess sang, and led us down the path. Turning to round the cabin, I saw back the line, ancient and as it would have been for thousands of years, lighting the wood way. I gave a short speech, of course afterwards kicking myself for what I could have said and forgot.

Nat Bocking’s video     Nat Bocking video 2

While Tess and Henry and Matt sang and played. I had brief caught conversations: John Esling who knew Stevan Phipps over a hedge. Meg talking to Henry, Serena coming for the second time, Barry finally arriving too late to make up more mulled wine and too late for the ceremony – wasn’t he always – since the book launch in Nepal. Sara, who I did not get a chance to be with at all, Sue or swimming pal. Tom met Graham, Paul and Adel. A brief chat with Martin Wolf and Gaina beside the fire. John fainted, the first responder extraoriindaire came to the rescue, Val – while Sue held on to the dog Charlie. The Publets arrived and made camp by the fire with Barry. After sitting on the bench in the dark, looking back at the Cabin illuminated and peppered with talking people. Jeronomo talking with Drew, Henry with Meg. I made my way back with the dogs.

On the road I looked into the wood and saw the light of the fire.

December 11th, aged 60, I chilled out all day. Snow and rain fell. Gentle clear up of wood, home to fire, and what could be more fitting – a mini band practice in the front room, Fed hot nourishing food to the musicians all day.