Climbing from Town End onto White Moss Common, we consider the recent history of the surrounding landscape – from grazed pasture through makeshift ‘hutment’ settlement to the rich woodland of today that is home to deer, badger, fox and numerous birds.
Arriving at a mossy oak, we learn about Polly’s passion for owls, and the personal connection she formed with three new-born owlets. The little-known habits of owls are discussed: the long walks they take to explore territory; the on-and-off cohabitation arrangements of mate-for-life parents; and the pragmatic preservation of energy in death.
Arriving at a nature-reclaimed pool, our conversation skips from owls to the Romantic poets, night-time walking, mythology and bluebells.
Finally, arriving at Grasmere’s Wishing Gate, we turn to Polly’s award-winning Some of Us Just Fall, and talk about why the nature-healing narrative is a fallacy; and why the owls in this enchanted patch of woodland embody hope, sadness, anxiety, joy – but, most of all, continuity.
The Company of Owls is available to buy (signed) from samreadbooks.co.uk/product/polly-atkin-the-company-of-owls-signed-/13814 and (not signed) eandtbooks.com/books/the-company-of-owls/
Polly is on Twitter/X at x.com/pollyrowena
Polly's Linktree: https://t.co/ehfHhLe116
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