One northern European woodland probably looks much the same as any other although I suppose the woodland in the Netherlands is generally a lot flatter, just as the whole country is.
If you look closely in these photos you might be able to see a bevy of butterflies, small yellow ones that I’ve never seen in Scotland, possibly called Brimstones. They danced around the woods in what must have been some sort of mating jig before fluttering up out of sight.
What you definitely don’t get in Scottish woodland is a monument to Resistance Fighters. The one below is in remembrance of the people who were caught in the woods by the Nazis and executed there. It’s a terrible thought in such a peaceful place.
We were taking Hanneke’s dog Fleur for a walk here, it’s a regular excursion for her but there are parts of this woodland that she refuses to go into. The atmosphere is obviously too horrible for her even after such a long time. It’s weird the way animals have that instinct.
The photo below is of Fleur on the left and Ziggy on the right. Jack took the photo as I had asked him to take one of them both together but I hadn’t realised that he had cornered them in the utility room. I had to laugh as they are both looking so guilty, all they need is a number hanging around their necks, convict 99 style. I suspect that they aren’t really allowed in the utility room, they look ‘caught in the act’ anyway.
I believe Ziggy (my niece Kirsty’s dog) is an American pit bull terrier and is actually a banned breed in Britain as there has been so much trouble with them being very agressive. Ziggy is so placid though and didn’t even retaliate when badly trained small dogs have bitten him in the past. You certainly know when he puts his front paws on your knees though – what a weight he is. You have to be very strict with dogs like that and I’m far too soft, Ziggy would be top dog in no time if he was mine and that’s dangerous.
Fleur is a Border collie/spaniel cross, with the worst traits of both breeds – she’s crazy and nervous but very loveable when she gets to know you. Fleur and Ziggy have more or less been brought up together so they’re great pals. They’re gorgeous but they don’t make me want to get a dog, I’m happy just to walk them and play with them then hand them back to their owners, just as some people do with children. Neither of the dogs are the type to dig up the garden which is a plus, that would drive me round the bend.
Dogs and other animals have extraordinary instincts about the unseen, I’ve observed examples myself.
Fleur looks sweet! I bet those furry ears are so soft. Can you tell I miss my Border Collie? đŸ™‚
Valerie,
Fleur is lovely when she gets used to you, she barks with nerves at first. I had a Border Collie when I was a wee girl, she was an absolute nutcase!
Lovely woods and they would be creepy knowing what happened in them!
My cousin’s wife had a pit bull and she was a pussy cat. Gentle and loving. I think men make them mean to use them for fighting or just for swagger. It’s a shame.
Peggy,
Ziggy has a lovely personality, it’s a shame he’s wrapped up in a body that people see as dangerous. It’s the same here, you sometimes see guys running around with a Staffordshire bull terrier on each side of them. To me they don’t look ‘hard’ as they must be terrified if they have to have dogs as guards.
I was reminded of animal’s instincts just yesterday with my cat, but nothing like you’ve described. Remarkable.
The dogs look so funny – guilty indeed! I’ve had two collie/springer crosses – madcap dogs! So intelligent and so full of energy. They’re a lot of work. I’m happy to stay with my beloved cat these days!
As for the butterflies – we have brimstones down south here. I was surprised to learn that you don’t have them in Scotland.
Sandra,
I think we probably do have brimstone butterflies in Scotland but I’ve never seen any.
On the surface Fleur seems a bit slow and daft but I think she’s actually very smart, she just acts slow when it suits her! She’s not nearly as hard work as the four horses they have, but we have no animals at all, so we can be footloose and fancy free!
I agree with Peggy about pit bulls. We have so many of them around here and they’re all the sweetest things. People train them to be aggressive and then the dogs get the stigma. I miss our Irish Wolfhounds!
That is a beautiful wood. It’s sobering to think of the awful things that happened there. It’s incredible how cruel and destructive mankind (ironic, ‘man kind’, ‘kind man’) can be.
Joan,
I’ve only ever known this one pit bull and he is certainly very cute. I’ve only known one Irish wolfhound too and he was very gentle. I have a theory that animals often mimic the personality of their owner and certainly there are plenty of thugs around who train their dogs to be vicious.