UK Woodland Seasons (Chapter 5 - Winter)

Days are short and the air is cold. Under a blanket of snow life goes on unnoticed.

Green plants are pushing their way up through the soil just waiting for the snow to melt.

Above ground the branches of the trees are bare and what light there is finds its way to the woodland floor unimpeded.

When the snow is gone we find a sea of golden-brown leaves and very little obvious greenery.

However, by the end of January there is a significant number of identifiable green leaves appearing and the Snowdrops are beginning to come to life, some even in flower already.

A quick look at the tree buds at the end of January shows a few beginning to swell, such as Beech and Sycamore. Hazel catkins are a little under-developed but ready to turn yellow at any minute.

On our calcareous soil the seed heads of Traveler's Joy coat the outsides of some trees and bushes in white wool. This contrasts with the dark green of the Holly trees.



If green leaves are in short supply then the green of countless colonies of moss becomes much more noticeable.








Several fallen trees give a rare opportunity to glimpse into the top of a canopy and here we find a surprising amount of colour, with colonies of lichens.
















The amount of water falling as rain or snow has allowed the logs on the ground to get a good soaking. This will greatly accelerate the rotting process.


Mammals have been busy too and everywhere there are signs of recent activity, like this Rabbit latrine.

Saturday

Saturday began in a very leisurely way - some people went out to the shops or to the bazaar whilst others just chilled in the hotel. Eventually we were loaded into the coach again and this time we were on our way to a formal lunch as guests of the brother of the Mete Uygun school benefactor. Mr Uygun was a businessman who studied business in England and who now runs a fabric factory in or near to Gaziantep. Some of his customers are high street names in the UK.











The meal was in a hotel restaurant. The waiters were very friendly and they entertained the children during the long wait to be served. We were very grateful and all would like to thank Mr Uygun for his generosity.

When all were fed and watered it was time to take the coach out of the city again and this time we turned off the road at the foot of a small hill which was covered with a forest of Turkish pine trees.











The coach had to negotiate several hairpin bends before reaching the top of the hill. At the top was a popular picnic and play area with fine panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. We stopped to take in the scenery and to relax a while before returning to our hotel.

Friday

On Friday morning we left the hotel at a reasonable hour and boarded the coach for the short drive through Gaziantep and out into the suburbs and the surrounding countryside.



As we neared Gaziantep Zoo the countryside suddenly became a lush green colour. Clearly a lot of effort was being put in to maintaining a very large expanse of grass.

It was still early in the day for the zoo so we were allowed through the gates with no hassle at all. After an hour or so walking around, the sun was beginning to climb high in the sky. Humans and some other animals dived for the shade but there were plenty of animals, like this lioness, enjoying the heat.














Human beings saved from extinction by specially shaded enclosures at Gaziantep Zoo.

After the zoo we drove back into Gaziantep where we were lunch guests of the municipality at the Civic Centre. Here we ate in the canteen. Food was served on individual trays. Each tray had several indentations pressed into it and the different courses could be kept separate. The meal was very enjoyable. Thank you Gaziantep city council!















After lunch we made a 'whistle stop' at a small, but very interesting museum of culture and local history. Here were exhibits displaying all of the famous local crafts, such as weaving, mother of pearl inlaying, copper and pewter decorating, Yemeni shoe making and so on.











Later in the day we were able to find all these things for sale in the bazaars.

On leaving the museum we were joined by a representative of the city tourism section and he showed us around the new botanic gardens.

It was obvious that the plantings were all new and that they would have a good few years of growing to do before the gardens would be looking at their best. Nonetheless it was a pleasant spot to stroll through and we enjoyed watching butterflies and hummingbird hawk moths visiting flowers to the sound of the nearby water fountains. Staff at the gardens were handing out bottles of water to the hot and thirsty visitors. Actually we felt some rain as we were leaving. Several drops in fact! However, it was only playing with us and the sun quickly regained the upper hand.















Later that afternoon, after we had been returned to our hotel, we were transferred by car to the area of the city where the most popular bazaars are to be found.











Walking through the narrow lanes of the bazaars was a noisy affair with the 'tap-tap' of metal workers and the sound of people and traffic outside. We saw all of the local crafts on sale and some of the children were keen to show off their bargaining skills.











In the centre of the noisy bazaar was a beautiful, tranquil courtyard with white-painted walls and bright red rugs. The walls were hung with local copper and pewter pots, Yemeni slippers and other locally-made objects. Under a central, shaded area there were low tables with bubble-pipes, everything red with rugs.

Fantastic!