Ancient trees can be measured in hugs for eg a three hundred year old oak tree would have a girth of three adult hugs. There are no native trees in Iceland. Rowan is known as the witch's tree - it is no relation to Ash - historically, one was planted by the front door to provide protection from dark forces. The bark of Yew is used to treat cancer but the needles are poisonous Apple trees rarely grow from a pip. Birch trees provide a watery elixir in spring - it can be tapped,

Yesterday, calm and still with a weak mist that filtered the sun, keeping it cool and steaming our breath. Marsh land and reed beds, teals, robins especially - humans in hats with ruck sacks and lenses, the smell of still water, ducks laughing. Walking, talking and all the time, thinking about trees...