January and February 2023: Map and compass
Devastatingly, my bursitis and CPTSD flared up again. Even though the swelling at the tops of my shoulders and upper back was worse than before, I was so grateful that they didn’t freeze again. Then in February some sort of infection in the whole of the right-hand side of my head, face and mouth caused me a week of hospital admission-grade pain.
Whenever my physical ailments allow it, however, I must be outdoor adventuring right now; to meet nature and new people head-on.
Winter Forest by Gemma Boyd
I’ve been training myself to carry the minimum weight of the essentials required for a short camp, and learning how to use an Ordnance Survey paper map in conjunction with a base plate compass: I felt such joyful reward after I managed to follow magnetic north directly to Egg Clump, Woodford Bridge, and in surrendering to my lostness my strength and sense of freedom (from screens) returned. I’m also experiencing angelic signs in the guise of a pair of wild green parakeets appearing to me every time I take a walk in Hospital Hill Wood, Ilford.
Untitled by Gemma Boyd
Familiarizing myself with the practicalities involved in using my kit efficiently has been an amusing education: getting a king-sized sleeping bag bottom first back into its stuff sack with my chest, and how to stand up gracefully while exiting my tent without its flaps tripping me up.
Many women older than me enjoy hiking and solo camping and would be prepared to die in the woods. While being as safe as I can be, I refuse to be scared to walk wherever and whenever I want - and do so in memory of local woman, Zara Aleena who was sexually assaulted and stamped to death by Jordan McSweeney as she made her way home at night on Cranbrook Road, Ilford.
Untitled by Gemma Boyd
All grasses and roses can be eaten - as can oxeye daisies (related to sunflowers), according to the film, Common Weeds and Wild Edibles of the World by Sergei Boutenko. Other tasty organic recipes I can recommend are Jamaican hot ginger drink with mint and lime and creamy mushroom, spinach and lemon pasta sauce.
Selfie (January 2023) by Gemma Boyd
After just over three years I finished my second handmade collection of poetry containing hand-drawn illustrations, called Severed: My 2020 in Daily 50-Word / Character Poems (Brandy Publications). I felt empty; like I’d created a whole world and another psychological safe house out of nothing; pumped; in need of a wash; proud, and isolated because people don’t get what the big deal is. My poetry is my gut instinct writ large which I can either choose to act on or not.
First bloom by Gemma Boyd
“Make “peace” a verb.””