If I could go anywhere it would be to Greno Woods in Grenoside on the outskirts of Sheffield which was one of my favourite local haunts to escape into nature prior to becoming bedbound.
My favourite part of the wood is the area opposite from the car park across the road. It only takes a few steps, and you need the canopy to feel immersed in the woodland magic. My partner and I would regularly visit this side of the woods, walking the Enchanted Forest Trail regularly taking detours off the path to search for fungi, blackberries and bilberries.
This short path leads to a picnic bench which overlooks an opening in the forest. It always seemed to be available when we got there like it was meant for us. We would always bring a flask of hot chocolate and sometimes some squirty cream and sprinkles in the rucksack.
I enjoy a cosy drink underneath the trees. I always say when I’m well enough to leave the house again Greno Woods will be one of the first places that I choose to visit. It’s amazing how far away something can feel when it’s so relatively close because of how unwell you are.
My message is – don’t ever take for granted your ability to escape into nature whenever and wherever you please. You never know when it’s going to be torn away from you and when the very thing that is supposed to heal and nurture you becomes almost completely inaccessible in all its forms.
And for all the other woodland dwellers that can still spend time amongst the trees, touch some bark, spot some fungi, crunch some leaves, and smell some moss on behalf of all of us stuck in our beds wishing and hoping more than anything in the entire world that we could be there with you.
