Harrogate Pinewoods and Valley Gardens

The Walk: It was a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon in the second half of October. It was quite warm too. With the light and the warmth I decided to leave the sofa and the afternoon sport to take a walk from my front door and walked along Harlow Moor Road to the offices and filling plant of Harrogate Spa Water, noted as the water available on the trains of England. The day was probably the last chance to enjoy the glorious autumnal colours of the trees anyway so I wholeheartedly took the opportunity to walk in the woods, particularly as I had neglected them during my absence for three months this summer while I walked 1,120 miles from the far north of Scotland to southern England. Many woods I had walked through and most thoroughly enjoyed, but of course the Harrogate Pinewoods are ever a favourite of mine. I set off into them.

I was immediately thrilled as I walked through the woods and along the paths for the low autumn sun glinted through the trees and the thinning leaves of the deciduous types to cast a sublime colour deep into what in high summer will be a darker place. Walking on the crunch of recent fallen leaves heightened the enjoyment of the walk and with the thinning comes a deeper appreciation of the intricate shapes and entwining of overhead branches. I am always fascinated by trees. Families would love this walk too — the youngsters wouldn't be bored, in fact I am certain they would be exploring as avidly as I to find nooks and crannies in the wood; evidence of such were makeshift forts, dens, and encampments I came across when wandering off the paths.

Another delight of walking in woodland is listening for the sounds of animals and birds scurrying about or taking their leave when people approach. As I walked I saw magpies, crows, grey squirrels, starlings, and sparrows as I walked amidst the Scots pine, birch, holly, oak, rowan, beech, sycamore, alder, hornbeam, hawthorn, whitebeam, yew, spruce, and larch. I am sure other small birds and rodents saw me too, but I did not see them. After wandering in the deep woodland for about 45 minutes I emerged into the light of Valley Gardens where the larger trees, unrestricted by close neighbours, stand in glory. Here horse chestnut also join in the serenity of the scene and I found many conkers. When I were a lad these would have been eagerly collected as soon as they fell; I guess conker fights are not as popular these days.

The horse chestnut leaves had turned a lovely russet shade, always attractive as the leaves give up their summer green. Recent dry weather and today's sun left the fallen leaf very crisp and as I walked over them some crumbled into dust. Much better than the wet weather peril of fallen leaves creating skid areas, particularly when fallen on tarmac. Standing close by the horse chestnut were evergreens, remaining defiantly green to the darkening days and longer nights. We are so fortunate to have such varied species of tree with contrasting characteristics.

Soon I had meandered enough across Valley Gardens and took my leave, but as I walked along Harlow Moor Drive and then homebound on Harlow Moor Road I kept looking back, sideways, and up to the trees. When I do so in a couple of weeks the deciduous will be bare and I will be sad for the trees. Until spring that is — time of a fantastic rebirth.