Autumn festivals, woodlands, cakes and birthdays

I love that my birthday is in autumn, my favourite season. Tis a season for long misty walks, harvesting veggies from the garden, foraging for fruits, roots and mushrooms, and baking delicious cakes. Tis also a season for music and celebrating the land, both of which were in abundance at this year's Rivenstone festival, held on the beautiful Dartmoor landscape.

Weaving looms with the land

An offering

Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer performing at Rivenstone

Early autumn walks in Foxley wood

Anticipation of autumn gathering

Autumn cakes made with Foxley blackberries!

Winter wandering

Here is a tale of the trees in a wood
They were never that pleased on the land that they stood.
So they upped and they walked as far as they could
'Til they felt the sun shine on their branches.

I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight, cruel world be forgiving
Oh, for once in my life I am living.

There they did stand and there they did stay
When there came a young biy who was running away
From a mad world, a bad world, a world of decay
And it's comfort he sought in their branches.

I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight, cruel world be forgiving
Oh, for once in my life I am living.

There we found love and there we found joy
And the warmth in his heart oh, it filled the young boy
And his friends taught him magic and secrets of old
While the trees kept him safe with their branches.

I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through.
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight cruel world be forgiven.
I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue
I am little Jack Frost but I am warm through and through
It's not easy to hide when your heart's on full view
Oh, tonight cruel wold be forgiving
Oh, for once in my life I am living.

Little Jack Frost, Kate Rusby

Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House

A few weeks ago, I visited Hatfield House, a stunning stately home in Hertfordshire, best known for it's links to the royal Tudors. The house was built in the grounds formerly owned by Henry VIII, and the Old Palace, which still stands in the grounds, was the childhood home of his children, including Queen Elizabeth I. In fact, it was in the grounds of Hatfield that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne.

Built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury, and the son of Elizabeth's chief advisor. Today the house stands in 1000 acres of park and gardens, and is home to some of England's finest oak. I have visited the house and grounds often as a child, and again each year for the annual Living Crafts fayre. But this trip was primarily to enjoy Folk by the Oak, the second folk festival hosted in the grounds, with two of my favourite musicians performing, Kate Rusby and Kathryn Tickell. I also got to see several other groups and musicians play for the first time, including the award winning Lau, The Shee and Karine Polwart. Armed with picnic and rainproof clothing, we had a fabulous day, enjoying the delights of the house and gardens in the morning and folk music in the evening. Summer doesn't get much better!

The Old Palace at Hatfield

Hatfield House

A Hatfield rose

Trying to be a little arty!

The friendly face of a green man

The Shee

More travels!

Speaking of travels, I am also heading away this weekend. This time, back to Dartmoor, my favourite place in England. I shall be attending Thirteen Moons, an Autumn festival of music, crafts and journeys, on the land of two fabulous musicians, Carolyn Hillyer and Nigel Shaw. See here for more information on their music, concerts and workshops.

Needless to say, I won't be near my computer for the next few days, but I'll catch up with my Google Reader when I get back! Have a very merry Equinox!