When we made the decision to move to our new home, I knew one main component was missing. Our old place had woods directly behind us and when we first moved in they were untouched woods. So we had immediately carved out a path for hiking and horseback riding. I used it mainly for morning walks with the dogs and a place to unwind. It was my sanctuary. Heading into the woods meant peace, quiet, and solitude. It was a wonderful place to reflect and become one with nature. No other place made me feel more connected with God and mother earth.
The woods were a main factor that held back my decision to leave and come to our current farm. Though there is a huge wooded animal sancutuary (something like 200 hectres) directly across the road, it is mainly all swamp land. So I resigned myself to the fact that I would loose my sanctuary in this move. However, shortly after we moved in we took a hike up to the old graveyard next to our property and spotted something just beyond it.
The shot below shows what we saw. My daughter and Chase are standing on the lawn of the old graveyard and behind them the land dips to a valley below.
The woods were a main factor that held back my decision to leave and come to our current farm. Though there is a huge wooded animal sancutuary (something like 200 hectres) directly across the road, it is mainly all swamp land. So I resigned myself to the fact that I would loose my sanctuary in this move. However, shortly after we moved in we took a hike up to the old graveyard next to our property and spotted something just beyond it.
The shot below shows what we saw. My daughter and Chase are standing on the lawn of the old graveyard and behind them the land dips to a valley below.
There was acres of flatland and just below out of sight in this photo is a pond where a pair of Canadian geese have made it home and laid their baby eggs. Other than that, the land lay dormat and unused. Here's a photo from the opposite side of the valley showing the pond, looking out toward our farm. The white spec on the top left corner is the old graveyard.
We preceded to enter the gate seen behind them in the above photo and followed the fence line You can imagine my excitement when it lead to some secluded woods. And they had some natural paths and trails carved out by the wildlife that passes through it, so no chopping or hacking down branches required!
As a bonus, the area was far bigger than our old one and included the flatland which is great for horseback riding. So off I went, happy as can be to track the owner and gain permission to use the land. When I approached him he told me he was renting it out to a neighbouring farmer who was going to send some cows over to graze on the land. Pretty certain that we could all cohabitate on the land peacefully without disturbing the cattle, but when we met with the tenant he burst our excitement when he told us that he was putting a bull in the pasture. So no trespassing allowed.
I confess, I was so so sad I could have cried. The importance of having my sanctuary was vital. I really really needed it. But since it was out of my control, I surrendered those emotions and moved on. But then yesterday we ran into the owner while out shopping and while talking he informed us that the tenant changed his mind about renting the land as it was too big and had too many fences to maintain for cattle.
I confess, I was so so sad I could have cried. The importance of having my sanctuary was vital. I really really needed it. But since it was out of my control, I surrendered those emotions and moved on. But then yesterday we ran into the owner while out shopping and while talking he informed us that the tenant changed his mind about renting the land as it was too big and had too many fences to maintain for cattle.
So the owner has decided not to rent out the land and instead is planting trees down there instead, and, wait for it....we are free to use it and ride our horses down there whenever we like!! Yay!!! Me, daughter and pooches immediately set off on a hike to enjoy our new found santctuary. We didn't care that it was raining and the flatlands had wet wet grass up to our knees.
Or the hills were muddy and slippery.
We loved it!