Nourish & Flourish

The Tree Year 2011 - Introducing my Silver Birch

2011-07-14T18:31:00.001+01:00

This year is the International Year of the Forests 2011...

Back in February I searched the net to see what events are going on to celebrate this wonderful tribute to our beloved friends - the trees - and came across a brilliant project: http://thetreeyear.wordpress.com.

The idea is to choose one tree and observe it throughout the year, sharing posts on The Tree Year blog and facebook page of your inspirations, drawings, photos etc.

Although 2011 is already at the half way point, I have been faithfully visiting a lovely tree close to where I live in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park. Well, better late than never, to finally share with you the tree that I have been following since February. How much changes in 6 months!

Introducing to you... the beautiful, graceful...

Silver Birch

My first meeting with a naked Silver Birch standing proudly
in a snowy meadow against a grey winter sky.

My dog Whisky comes with me on my walks to visit the tree.

I wonder what Silver Birch Bark tastes like?

The distinctive bark of the Silver Birch.

The 2 large branches reaching upwards and smaller branches and twigs
radiating off them remind me of trees' reputation as the "lungs of the earth".

A shot of the tree framed by the twiglets of a neighboring birch
on a slightly warmer winter's day.

Looking elegant and mysterious under the dark and light of the scottish clouds.

There's a perfect branch for sitting on after a long walk. Resting against the trunk,
you can see the top of Arthur's Seat, a popular destination for Edinburgh's walkers.

The view down the valley is pretty good too.

The silvery bark make birch trees stand out in the winter landscape.

Silvery snow white limbs basking in the sun of a cold winter's day.

Waving hello to its fellow birch friends a little further up the hill...

Coming soon, in my Silver Birch's Tree Year...

"Spring is on its way"

Keep posted for more musings and medicinal uses of the majestic Silver Birch!

Spring Herb Walk at Holyrood Park

2011-04-04T21:14:00.000+01:00

I have been requested to guide a herb walk by the lovely folk on my most recent Introduction to Herbal Medicine course, so the walk will start from here:

Meeting in Holyrood Park at 11am Saturday 9th April 2011 at the bench between the swan & duck pond (St. Margaret's Loch) on the Queen's Drive and the car park on Duke's Walk.

Click here for > Google Map Directions.

Info for Herb Walkers

All welcome! We will do a moderate and mildly hilly walk, stopping often to observe and talk about the medicinal plants growing in the area.

This walk will last about 1.5 - 2 hours (11am -1pm) so you may want to bring some water and a snack, or even a packed lunch to have as a picnic afterwards. Please wear suitable walking shoes or boots. Remember to come dressed and prepared for unpredictable scottish weather!

If you wish to join, please contact Fiona to give her an idea of who's coming and to swap mobile numbers in case of any delays or last minute cancellations.

Cost of walk is by donation.

(Suggested £5 - £15 / As much as you can afford or think it's worth)

Watch this space for herb walk posts to see what we encounter on the day!

Best herbal wishes,

Fiona

Welcome to Nourish & Flourish!

2011-02-19T00:00:00.003Z

Welcome to a wonderful new resource for exploring pathways to nourishing body, mind & spirit and flourishing on life's journey - guided by Fiona Morris, a Traditional Medical Herbalist.

Inspired by healing people, plants and places, join a growing community to share our knowledge about natural medicine, herbal health care, holistic therapies, connections with nature, and much more.

Discover links and articles to open your heart and mind, info about courses, workshops, talks, walks and other nourishing happenings...

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