Patchwork Fields and Wooded Coombes

In folklore the willow is somewhat sinister and believed capable of uprooting itself and stalking travellers. It is short lived but can grow a clone of itself from a broken branch. Always useful to man, it was known for its medicinal qualities from early history and still provides us with aspirin. A fishing net made from willow has been found that dates back to 8300BC.

Glory be to God for dappled things—

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;

And àll tràdes, their gear and tackle and trim.

from "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins

The Old Willow, path to Woodford, Morwenstow

available in sizes up to 76 x 76cm