No, not Simon’s brother or a something diabetics put on their salad, but a nice place in South Devon.

So where to begin.

Well, my dad had long been a supporter of The Woodland Trust, a charitable bunch of people who purchase and look after woodland through the UK.

http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/

He and his wife Jane, long ago agreed that they would leave some money to them when they passed away and so instead of flowers at his funeral, we asked people to send money we could donate on their behalf. We were lucky to raise enough to dedicate nearly 4 acres of woods to my dad. The plan is to have some in Wiltshire where they lived together and some down in Devon nearer to my sister and me.

Our first choice down here was just over the Tamar river in Cornwall, about 10 miles from us. We went over there a few weeks ago and had a look. It was a little windswept but it was down near the sea and very like Banks in Lancashire where he grew up. I took some photos, sent them to Jane. Unfortunately, for a few reasons, we couldn’t have any of those woods. We did briefly consider Tamerton & Whitleigh woods which is literally just round the corner. Unfortunately, it’s full of shopping trolleys and the odd bit of “Police Line - Do Not Cross” tape so that was out.

Next nearest is Brookings Down Wood in Noss Mayo, about 15 miles in the opposite direction. We went there today.

It would have been wiser to print out a map from Google but I found it anyway after a few wrong turns. Dad and Jane used to visit my Uncle Charles nearby about twice a year, so he knew the area well. Its a really nice area but Sunday lunchtime is not a good time to drive through a small village and we couldn’t even park. From Google Earth, I knew it looked nice anyhow. I was just curious as to how long it would take to get there. I may even go back in the week on my own.

So that will be his wood - a few acres of it anyway. They don’t put a sign up or anything. No benches or plaques. We just get a map with the land marked on it and the knowledge that it will be his forever.

Alas, because I couldn’t park and get out of the car I failed to take any photos. Considering my New Year’s Resolution of taking one photo per day (see blog or Flickr) it seems ironic that I didn’t take a photo of the most interesting and important thing I have done so far this year.

Still, thanks to Google Earth. He is a shot from a few hundred feet in the air. Note the fact that the photo was taken in Summer and also that there are no people about.

Sailor Vee

Categories: Family, Memories, Photography, Travel
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