Viking Mist Trees!

Waking up just before dawn a few days ago (or was it last week? I'm getting on a bit now you know, the memory's not what it was!)...

So, er, waking up one morning early in October (oh crikey, I suppose it could have still been September then?)...

Right, waking up early one autumnal morning of recent days (yes!), I peered out of the window to see that it was really misty but that it looked like the sun might be able penetrate through the murk to cast some nice eerie light around nearby Viking Field.



Now used by the dog walkers of Wokingham, and of course by early bird photographers, (who still haven't (well, I haven't) managed to capture any early bird photos of any particularly interesting early birds over there!), Viking Field is exactly what it says it is on the display board.

It's a field and the Vikings were there once upon a time!

An archeological dig at the site a few years ago revealed a few signs of ancient habitation; Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and, of course, Viking.

There have been countless other folks using the field over the centuries I'm sure, but we're inundated with Roman place names and references round here, and 'Modern Field' doesn't have quite the same ring to it does it? ('Iron Field' is little better, and 'Bronze Age Field', though quite attractive still doesn't have the same excitement and mystery as 'Viking Field'). There is a long barrow separating Viking Field from the playing field behind it, but it's origins are, I believe, pre-Viking.

Anyway, it's a very old field and has that mysterious quality of a very old field, and so seemed the perfect place to go on a misty, autumnal morning. The sun did try quite hard to burn through, but only really managed to lend an atmospheric air to the ancient field. It was almost liquid in some magical kind of way. The air glowed and the misty vapour sparkled with colour as it enveloped me and engulfed the trees.



It was a joy to be there that morning and, despite the obviously new planting, there was something ancient and eternal about it too.

The field was bequeathed to the town by a Mrs Henagulph in 1997; I hope her vision remains and this field maintains it's air of mystery for centuries more to come. Please, please, please don't ever let it be developed!!!!

Rebecca, x

www.rtphotographics.co.uk

Viking Field

So now that I'm down in England again, my furry friend needs to find new places for his walkies. There is a lovely spot not far from where I'm staying known locally as Viking Field.



I have no idea where the Viking connection comes from... I wasn't aware that Berkshire ever really had a Viking connection. Plenty of Romans wandered about these parts, but I would have thought it a bit too far inland for the Vikings. I suppose the Thames would provide a convenient route through the land, but here in Wokingham we are still quite a distance from the river. I shall endeavour to find out for you... and for me. I am intrigued as to how Viking Field became Viking Field and so I shall do my utmost to find out.

My four-legged furry friend is very fond of the field already. It was bequeathed to the people of Wokingham in 1997 by Mrs N. Henagulph. A wonderful gesture and one that is very much appreciated by a lot of people here. There are 2 parts to the fields, the dog walking circuit and the children's area and playing fields across the gate. Divided by a very old mixed hedgerow and a high deciduous-wooded ridge (now also clothed in beautiful swathes of bluebells)



the dog walkers can do the rounds and the children can safely play apart, each in comfort and truly lovely surroundings. Hogan (the pooch) has met many new acquaintances, from the smallest Jack Russells to a Harlequin Great Dane. There is always a new rear to sniff, a new pup to chase, and a new human to fuss him and tell him he's gorgeous.



What a life!

From the human perspective, the field offers not only exercise and sociable exchanges, but is also an excellent wildlife spot. The birdlife is fantastic. Jays, Red Kites, Long-tailed Tits, all varieties of Woodpecker, and a myriad other feathery delights. If you go early enough there are deer,



and if you go at the right time, there are several varieties of owl too. There are so many different butterflies, wildflowers, bees, and goodness knows what else

.

I saw some kind of fly that I've never seen before yesterday... quite a few of them in fact. They seemed friendly though, not pesky at all, so they were just as welcome as everything else.

Berkshire is certainly not deficient in beautiful spots, far from it, but Viking Field, just because of it's proximity, it's name and the fact that Mrs Henagulph left it for us to enjoy, is a place that I shall enjoy very much! Thank you Mrs Henagulph on behalf of all of us!!

Rebecca, x
rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk
www.rtphotographics.co.uk