just came back from the lovely shipool woods, from a walk/lecture on irish forestry led by the charming and passionate ted cooke. it did me a world of good to get to breathe in woodland air, especially having been ill with fever for nine days. i was afraid the trek would be too much for a convalescer, but it was all good, no heart palpitations or faint spells. oh, the great healer, nature...
it was a bit dark already so i didn't take too many great shots, but i did find a rare cherry gall on an oak leaf and the hollies were in bloom still. i prefer their blossoms to the berries. the talk was interesting but there was so much that i seem to have forgotten what i learned. i can see the walk, and the talker, in my head but the words spoken are lost. i should carry a notebook in stead of my camera.
my throat is still incredibly sore, haven't had a cold like this since childhood even though i've been quite sickly in the recent years. last night i woke up every time i swallowed, from the pain. i have gargled with salt water and myrtle oil and swabbed my tonsils with lactic acid bacteria, i've taken homeopathics, drank gallons of honey and lemon water with cinnamon and nothing seems to get rid of it. now it's a bit better, i think. still hurts, though, but i don't feel like i have one foot in the grave anymore.
