Padma and I went out for a late afternoon walk yesterday in the forest near our home.

I was focusing on some distant views of Oberwinter with its Rhine backdrop and managed to get my feet tangled in the thick leaf litter. Clumsy as I am I took a roll and ended up on my back.

Rather than jumping to my feet I lay there for a moment. Padma showed concern and thought I had hurt myself. But instead I was mesmerised by a tangle of trees looming over me – like silent fingers reaching out to give me a helping hand.

I enjoyed the view from my back for a while, then shook the dead leaves off myself and continued our walk … but this time being a bit more mindful of my step.