Moose Allain’s story of tracking down a special tree is a breath of fresh air
The tree wasn’t the only treasure in the surroundings.
We passed a lovely barn. pic.twitter.com/WHl87ismT3
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
It had clearly been worth the effort, and we could all share in Moose’s delight.
And here is my beautiful tree! pic.twitter.com/fNaYb7r5An
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
First contact pic.twitter.com/2Gulg4AUY6
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
It's a glorious beech. I'm sure some of you could probably tell from the shape of it in my very first photos. pic.twitter.com/h2FnMjEQWI
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
Life's a beech. pic.twitter.com/U00k0IXQz6
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
Just as the tree had made the view from Moose’s house special, the site held quite the vista.
This place has magical things. A view of the Haldon Belvedere. A nearby trig point. A hedge with a big rock in it. pic.twitter.com/7H9Dlj36mf
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
Not to mention the soundtrack.
It has a skylark to sing to you. pic.twitter.com/PSmhtvqs8z
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
The tree bore the marks of past encounters.
It has carvings in its trunk. I like to think that's because others have spotted this lone tree on the skyline, made a pilgrimage to find it, and marked their journey. pic.twitter.com/OPEF0mrX8z
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
There was a convenient feature nearby.
It even has a smeuse, in the hedge right opposite it. pic.twitter.com/08yos1wDUv
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
And if, as Karen did, you poke your head through the smeuse, you can see the city of Exeter in the distance. pic.twitter.com/96NFr0I0kd
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
Of course, if they could see the tree from the house …
And there, on top of the old city wall, sits our house. And maybe one of our children is standing in our bedroom staring out across the houses and shops, up past the bright yellow of the rapeseed field, to the lone tree on the hillside. pic.twitter.com/VtUtYeKMZw
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
While that was the perfect end, Moose added a couple of updates about the tree –
It’s destination on the map.
As a number of people have asked me, here’s a map showing the location of the tree (marked with a red dot) pic.twitter.com/16OO8rRi2G
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
And the news that the tree is, indeed, iconic to many.
I’m really delighted to find that this is an iconic tree for lots of people and that there is a history of films, theatre and art centred on it.
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) May 9, 2021
His lovely story really struck a chord with tweeters, including with these people who had done something similar.
Back in 2012, having enjoyed this horizon tree for several years, we made the same pilgrimage. It's a very very nice tree. https://t.co/OqP7waTenJ
— Dr James Borrell (@James_Borrell) May 10, 2021
Morning Moose.
Me & 7 did something similar last year during lockdown. Similar-ish. pic.twitter.com/lWGhkjtEwO— Paul (@bingowings14) May 10, 2021
Tree hunting is one of my favourite things to do.
I've driven off on mad journeys to get to trees. The joy is immense and emotional. https://t.co/Ov3jlC1yi2— Brónagh (@BeebsyMcA) May 9, 2021
This is my tree, not quite on the skyline as yours is but beautiful beyond doubt! pic.twitter.com/FzmjYGPdZe
— Jane Bransby 💙 (@JaneBransby) May 10, 2021
This tree was a beloved tree of all Exeter picture house staff- we could see it from the bar. Years ago, a mega adventure was undertaken to go find it, with similar trepidations and equal joy. And I ALMOST made a theatre show about it. 🌳💚
— Katie Villa (@KatieVillaUK) May 9, 2021
Saw this ancient Ankerwycke Yew on @WoodlandTrust and decided I had to find it when I crossed the pond. On the first day, my friends and I went in search of it and found it and the Priory at dusk. It was the highlight of my trip! (Friends in pics for scale) Truly magical hunt. 🌳 pic.twitter.com/zmNHaqUPX2
— Secret Society Squirrel Total Landscaping🏡 (@ssquirrel007) May 10, 2021
And at least one who was inspired to make plans to give it a try.
Inspired by the thread of @MooseAllain, and as I have only about four other things I should be doing, I’m taking myself off to find my horizon-tree today. pic.twitter.com/xJ4l6mAeAw
— Ed Clarke (@e301) May 10, 2021
We’ll give the last word to author, Ken Armstrong, and say only that we completely agree.
It's hard to define what Moose brings to Twitter but it's one of the things that keeps me here. https://t.co/qCzwVCdFZ7
— Ken Armstrong (@kenarmstrong1) May 9, 2021
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