Right now the blackberries in our hedgerows are plump, sweet and full of sunshine. Recalling childhood blackberrying excursions, evokes memories of shortening days, crisp new school uniform and smoky bonfires, and yet our first fruit ripened here in the Welsh uplands as early as the end of July! Our climate is shifting into ever more confusing seasons.

Walking back through the woodland with kilos of fruit to freeze for winter puddings, our feet crunch on a carpet of hazelnut shells. The squirrels are making the most of the bumper crop, snatching an early meal and discarding shells, along with un-ripened nuts below. Overhead a buzzard shrieks, acknowledging our presence and claiming the skies.

Along the way we hear a sudden ‘crack, crack’ bark and catch sight of a roe deer, darting across our path to take cover in the thicket. Behind her a tiny Bambi, wide-eyed and bewildered, prances in her wake. Although the summer has been excessively dry there is food a-plenty here for wildlife. The creation of our re-generating woodland brings unexpected joys for us and our guests, and, despite dogs being able to run free in this special piece of woodland, wildlife and visitors are learning to live quietly beside each other.

Even a short walk amongst the trees and wild flowers brings a sense of calm and perspective, and if you gather blackberries or wild raspberries you may just feel a primeval connection with the landscape.