Bracken, brambles, shrubs and bushes had grown up and degenerated, only to be succeeded by a ranker and more dense form of undergrowth.

Many of the trees, although they were still plentiful, had been blown down and left to rot on the ground.

The place was silent except for the slow drip of falling snow from the drooping leaves.

He took one more cautious step forward and found himself slowly sinking.

Black mud was oozing up through the snow where he had set his feet.