Some of you might recognize which forest we are walking through for this week’s Thursday Doors, as I’ve featured it in the past. Trees are so beautiful, at any time of year, even when they are covered by moss, lichen or ivy. On the way to this forest I managed to capture a few doors. Although the house in the next image looks like I pasted it into the shot, I can assure you that’s exactly how it looked as we drove by. The red door stood out to me, even at a distance, and the house has a freshly painted look to it, from what I can see.
Unlike the previous house, these next buildings are being taken over by nature. When I look at them I can see the potential for a cosy cottage, with a workshop for Mr. R. and a writer’s den for me.
This old gate is a good place to display all of those children’s items that get left behind after a family hike. The black glove seems to be pointing the way for us.
That looks an interesting path to follow but I think we should stick to the main route for now.
Just look at that feathery moss draped around the foot of those trees.
There’s a carpet of it in the most shaded areas.
Some trees are smothered with ivy, the same type that was growing on the rear of our house when we bought it. The back door was completely hidden behind a curtain of the stuff.
Even the stone walls can’t escape. Is anyone else reminded of the scene in the movie Labyrinth, with the ivy vines on the old stone walls?
However, I much prefer to see the bark of a tree, they are all so different, ranging in colour from beige to dark brown.
At last, we’ve reached our destination. Those gates are definitely telling us something. I guess we shouldn’t follow those tractor tracks. Have you guessed where we are yet? The next image is a big hint.
Yes, it’s Castle Saunderson. One of my favourite places to go for a walk and gather wild garlic and elderflowers.
Here’s a video I took from inside the old yew tree grove next to the castle.
Many thanks for keeping me company on this walk through the forest and if you would like to carry on exploring, Dan has lots of interesting links to a wide variety of Thursday Doors over on his blog.
The red door is striking. It is perfect on that house. Your forest walk is atmospheric and intriguing. Very interesting
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They certainly chose a colour that would stand out at a distance, Ally.
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Looks like a magical place!
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It is, Jan. I love it there at any time of year.
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I wish I could walk in the woods and emerge at a castle. What a wonderful area to explore. The abandoned house with the double outbuilding looks like a wonderful project home. Albeit, the project would take a while, but I see potential if the forest doesn’t close in on it. Thanks for bringing us along on your walk, Jean.
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It’s amazing how quickly nature can reclaim a space, Dan.
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I don’t know if you had the show “Life after people.” It was a Discovery Channel show that looked at abandoned places after various number of years. It was amazing to see how nature comes back.
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Haven’t seen that show but a similar one. Nature is incredible.
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Thank you for this wonderful walk, Jean. That castle looks very old. Is it closed to the public at the moment?
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There’s a rail around it to prevent the public from entering as I think it’s a bit unstable. The grounds are open to the public and access is free, which is nice.
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Lovely forest walk photos
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I’m glad you liked them, thank you.
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Love the shadows and the green in the first capture, and reminds me when we lived in Holland in the forest, when pregnant with my third one.Your view of the moss covered trunks is very interesting. Have never seen moss that was this long! Now that is a castle! Wonder if the windows were made later? Have a wonderful Easter celebration, Jean! Jesh
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Originally there was a much older castle there and it was added onto over the centuries so the windows are probably not as old as the walls, Jesh.
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That first cottage does look like you Photoshopped it in, Jean. Seems like it should be larger. As for the potential cottage, aren’t you tired of rehabbing yet? đŸ™‚ I love that first shot of the road through the trees and the mossy trees remind me of France. Won’t get there this year, I’m afraid. Oh, well, I can dream and remember.
janet
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It does look a bit like a doll’s house, doesn’t it?I’m always rehabbing in my head, Janet, lol.
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Cheaper that way.
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Woods and moss and coltsfoot. I did finally find my way out reluctantly. The doors were nice too ! Thanks
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Thank goodness you got out, John. Search and rescue will be happy about that, lol.
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The abandoned toys evoke a thousand stories.
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Ah yes, they really do.
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A title comes to mind…
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Ahh, what a brilliant post, Jean! These trees in the video make me wish to build a tree house and never come down. Your first photo is spectacular! And all that moss!! And the castle, and those gloves, and not the forget the red door… just brilliant, all of it.
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Thank you, Manja. It’s a beautifully serene place, thanks to nature
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Oh, how magical! I did think of The Labyrinth! Those pictures of the castle were wonderful — they look so atmospheric, as if you deliberately staged them to look their best.
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If I had tried to purposefully take a shot like that it wouldn’t have turned out too good, Marian, lol
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Oh my goodness! What a magical place. Besides the gorgeous forest pathway, I like the red door house and also the house that has seen many years. Thank you, Jean!
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Imagine what it must have been like to live there. The last of the family left there in 1977 after selling it and he now lives in California, if he is still alive, that is. It was supposed to become a hotel but caught fire and subsequently sold to Scouting Ireland for half it’s value
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Thanks for the follow up!
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