Photo of a fellow nut collector having a drink or water from a plant.

[Kkimm]

This little fellow was enjoying a drink of rain water from the centre of this beautiful sub tropical plant in a London park. It made such a wonderful picture that I could not resist posting it even though the quality is poor because of low light levels.

Like me this grey squirrel is a great forager, we both gather nuts in the autumn. I also collect blackberries, wild mushrooms and elderberries to make quite a palatable dry red wine.

The nuts are my favourites however. Seeing the shiny brown chestnuts the colour of polished mahogany glinting up through the fallen leaves is a particular pleasure. I have a secret location where I gather both walnuts and chestnuts by the rucksack full each year and look forward to it greatly, it is a compensation for the ending of our short but beautiful Southern English summers. In my view there is nothing more delicious than chestnuts roasted on the fire in my little cottage oven or a freshly peeled "wet" walnut that is so sweet it bears very little resemblance to the shop bought version which have lost their fresh wetness many weeks ago.

I cycled to my secret location in the woods an hour's ride from my cottage, equipped with gardening gloves to handle spiky casings and empty rucksack. The woods were wet and dripping from the rain and the mist hung in the valley as I started my forage. Pheasants scuttled off squawking and the squirrels viewed me from the tree tops wondering who this intruder might be.

Suddenly I heard a commotion in the undergrowth and I found I was surrounded by a herd of Fallow deer. It almost felt as if I had entered a fairy tale realm when I saw their beautiful white spotted backs and velvety antlers at such close quarters. I could hear their breath and see the steam coming from their soft looking pale nostrils. After surrounding me on the woodland road they bounded off into the woods on the other side leaving me to gather the chestnuts they had perhaps come to eat before I made my clumsy intrusion into their woodland. I felt both in awe and uncomfortable that I had intruded upon their world, but the drifts of nuts reassured me that there would be plenty for all this season.

Kim

[Hidden]

Aww, I love squirrels. I find them so cute. How lovely you saw deer too. I think that is a real honour.

[Kkimm in reply to Hidden]

So do I, particularly red squirrels which we rarely see as they are only in a few parts of the UK. Grey ones saw them off unfortunately.

Deer are very special. I have not seen fallow deer too often. Usually Roe deer in these parts.

Thanks for your lovely reply.

Kim

[JEG325]

More awesome work, K! I am so looking forward to working with you! You do really excellent photo work and accompanying writing!

Hope you're having an awesome morning!

[Kkimm in reply to JEG325]

Thanks so much, I've said more in my reply to Sue

[BonnieSue]

Awesome! Utterly magical!! Your description makes me want to be there and help you gather your supplies!! I have nothing so magical near me...well, maybe a little bit like this, but not much. Thanks so much for sharing this! Welcome to our writer's group!

Hugs, Love, and Blessings...🥰☘️🌱🙏🤗🌷🌈☀️🍁🌟🎈🏝💜

[Kkimm in reply to BonnieSue]

Thanks so much to you all. This means so much to me.

I love trying to capture experiences, emotions and relationships etc in words. I have left it this late in my life to do this as I am now retired but I think the experience of illness and recovery from GAD and depression as well as the time to do it has given me the incentive to start what is becoming a very fulfilling part of my life. If I can help others a little as well as feel rewarded I do not mind whether or not I ever get published.

Very best wishes.

Kim

[BonnieSue in reply to Kkimm]

I can SO relate to your having this open up to you later in life! Me, too, though I'm still having trouble making time like I'd like to to write and paint, etc. My last lessons in art were about 35 years ago!!! Carry on, you're doing great!! WooHoo!!

[JEG325 in reply to Kkimm]

We like having you with us. I feel we're on our way to a good future in our working together. Maybe we can bring a lot of people a little more joy. Once again, beautiful work, K!

[JEG325 in reply to JEG325]

Hey, K! I'm busy considering how to best utilize your material with our current material. I am pleased to have your help and support! Hope you are having a blessed day!

[Kkimm in reply to JEG325]

Hi JEG

That's great. I will do a short post with the alternative photo so as not to identify the female Dr Dolittle without her consent but the original post about it will be the one to use.

The other post I would like you to consider is the blackberries by the sea one as I think that is my best, it was about three posts back if you look on my profile.

If you want anything on relationship with pets I did quite a few about Colin my spaniel who died a few years ago. They came out as popular. I will also look through my others to see what else was popular and let you know if I want to put any of those forward.

Thanks alot

Have a great day.

Kim

[JEG325 in reply to Kkimm]

Okay, my sweetie handles that....I can pm you my email if you have other stuff to send. But, as always that's up to you....Quick question, are you coming the meetings wed @ 8pm EST? (The 7pm meeting is mostly for business)

[Kkimm in reply to JEG325]

Hi

Tell me how the meetings work, I not a great techno person so have no idea how you do it. I would be happy to join in at 8.00 on Wednesdays if I can.

Also are you in the UK or the states? Makes a big difference time zone wise, I am UK as you know.

Kim

[JEG325 in reply to Kkimm]

Can we take this to the pm? I will answer you questions there....

[JEG325 in reply to Kkimm]

I answered you on the pm. I can get you into the meetings easy enough if you can make it at 1am Thursday am!

But, I have to step out now. Let me know on my pm or here. Okay?

[Mary-intussuception]

Kim

This is superb! 🌰 ( Don't have a squirrel pic on my phone but found a nut!)

Keep these photos coming! You are so gifted.

Have you ever considered writing a book. This post - a good chapter.

Maybe something like " Diary of a Nut Collector "? But I think you could come up with a better title !

Wild side of London perhaps or a guide to the . . ?

I never get to London. Had just two visits in my lifetime for specific purposes and no time for a look around. Not healthy enough now to travel that far.

It's such a pleasure to hear of this delightful side of London. Never heard of anyone collecting fresh, wild walnuts before.

x

Mary

[Kkimm in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks for your wonderful reply Mary, I really appreciate it.

I had thought about travel writing and may come back to that idea. I am a third of the way through a novel anyway and that is going to be my main focus.

Like the idea about wild London, I will think more about that.

Sorry to hear you are not well enough to travel.

Thanks again

Kim

[Kkimm in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I also meant to say the nut rather than the squirrel is perfect, it is even a chestnut!

I live in Suffolk and that is where I gather walnuts but had the encounter with the squirrel in the foliage in St James Park. I did not have a photo from my but gathering unfortunately. It is however possible to gather chestnuts in parks all over London which could feature in "wild London"

Kim

[Hidden]

Diversions do help, you have a fine one here that will help your mood and suppress your negativity. We live well out in the country and we love to watch the surrounding wildlife.

Enjoy your trips, wildlife is just as interesting in the winter as the summer. Purchase a pair of Binoculors and take them when you are out and about it will extend your interests and mood

BOB

[Kkimm in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply Bob.

[hurtingheart1]

Love your writing soo much it feels a bit nostalgic to me from when I was little I’d love reading Beatrix potter books about all the little animal creatures or books like Peter rabbit or other stories like these and watching the nature programs on tv it really fascinated me and was so endearing to peer into their world! Please keep up the great pics & writing!!💞💕☺️👏🏼

[Kkimm in reply to hurtingheart1]

Thanks so much, it is great if it gives pleasure to others and even a temporary release from depression or anxiety

[hurtingheart1]

Thats awesome thanks for sharing!! Yes I definitely appreciate it been a tough & painful day for me so I knw I can benefit & have already & others I’m sure as well -thank u!! ☺️