We are down to the third out of four parts altogether.
The break was almost over so we rushed ourselves (mutual
decision) to make this activity almost like a daily basis routine. We decided
that woodland-walking and immature photography activities are our hobbies. In
fact, we did captured some of amazing photos ourselves and we are proud of
that. We learned new things about photography and nature landscape that it
became almost an educational slot on weekly basis.
I must say that I loved it. Loved it enough to know it can be
an addiction, a good kind of addiction. J
So, the next destination was Moss Valley Woodlands and yes I
got some interesting experiences (for me, at least) to share.
We made it to the closest town by bus at almost noon if I’m
not mistaken and as usual, we would use directions given from a trustworthy
website with Google Maps’ help. Unfortunately, we got lost or we thought we
were. After about an hour of walking down the streets, we still couldn’t find
our way in to the wood which was a bizarre encounter. Commonly, there would be
a signboard somewhere along the road to ease our journey but not this time. We
were hungry and almost fight with each other because we did not have our
breakfast that day and I am advising you readers to eat your breakfast, any
type of food literally.
We eventually found an old local couple at a residential area
who were cleaning their front yard and asked them on how to get to Moss Valley
Woodlands and to our surprise they did not know where this place was. But, we
did not give up. We made a bit more research and with a little geography
knowledge we had, we interpreted the map over and over again until we finally
reached our desired destination. How relieved we felt at that time considering
our empty tummies and our tired limbs. Later that day, we found out that the old couple knew that the woodlands existed but they just do not call it with the same name.
Thus, I got my lesson; a lesson that pinched my heart. We all
need help in any form but sometimes we take them for granted because we simply
overlook them. I am a newcomer in Sheffield and did not master about directions
to go anywhere so I required help from Google (because did not want to bother
other people much with a tiny ego), verbal help from good Samaritans and of
course signboards along the streets but that particular day all these aids were
not available or in other words, they could not help me to get to my
destination.
And by that I managed to come out with a few questions for us
to think about…food for thoughts. Can we be succeeded without help? Can we get what we want
with lack of willingness? Yes, miracles do happen but they do not happen all
the time. We must earn the miracles.
The next few days, we came across a similar output website
that showcases nature reserves and achieved a consensus; to have a go at new
places since it did not have much information like the previous website and we
thought it would be nice to embrace new adventures (sort of).
How lovely this view and this is only the entrance.
Ecclesall Woods is one of the oldest woods in England which
has been conserved by Sheffield Council instead of Sheffield Wildlife Trusts for
more than thousands of years (the history was written on an information board).
We then encountered a group of old couples on our way in.
They were carrying backpacks, wearing proper outfit to go through cold weather (approximately
9 ̊C) and so were we. I was amazed by their
willingness to have a walk together with friends at old age into the woods. I
imagined myself do that with my friends because it is an indication that our
bodies are still fit to do outdoor sports and I always love keeping my body fit
though I love to skip it at most times too (confusing but understandable for
other girls XD).
It also indicates that our silaturrahim is very strong that
we still can be friends for a long time. That is a friendship goal! ;)
To be truthful, we never intended to go to Ecclesall Woods in
the first place. We were aiming to change direction to go to a washland that week and
were hooked to try going to Woodhouse Washlands Nature Reserve by attractive
photos on the website.
We got to the place of interest but there were cattles which we thought was completely safe. In contradict, we did think of finding a snake as being warned on the website and prepared for it but never to acknowledge that those herbivores were trying to chase us. Still, we did take some photos before leaving and headed for Ecclesall Woods instead. Animals do demand their privacy from urban citizens whom do not recognise wildlife enough and I admit I am one of them. I got chills and ran away from taking a risk to be physically compromised which I think is fair enough. The cattles demanded privacy (as I call it) and they got it because they deserved it.
Moving on to the last part…
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