Just like Kate, nature helps me feel grounded'

The Princess of Wales says she found comfort in the natural world during cancer treatment, now wildlife writer Nic Wilson, 50, shares how the outdoors helped her cope with illness

- Edited by HANNAH BRITT

When the Princess of Wales spoke recently about her relationship with nature and how it provided her with sanctuary during her cancer treatment, her words deeply resonated with me.

In a video released following her illness, titled "Spring", she said: "Connecting to nature helps us to experience a deeper sense of ourselves, the world around us, and each other."

It was a moving insight into how important it is to touch, watch, and be immersed in the outdoors - and the incredible support it can bring.

Since my childhood, two things have been a constant: chronic illness and my love of nature. And like Kate, I want to share my experiences with others in the hope they too will find comfort and inspiration.

It's been fundamental for my own emotional and physical wellbeing since I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2011. I've also found out I have adenomyosis, a painful condition in which cells that would normally line the uterus grow in the uterine wall, which I've probably had for many years.

Throughout my childhood, our garden at home in Cheshire was my sanctuary. I'd follow Dad around the vegetable patch, and help him with the planting and ask him about the birds that visited our garden. I'd also wander round his garage, looking at his collection of natural treasures such as owl skulls, moth pupae and very hungry caterpillars.

ESCAPE

No doubt my parents' love of birds influenced me in these first few years. Then I'd climb the mature Scots pine tree and enjoy my sky den far out of sight of the ordinary world below.

Here, life was active - flowers bloomed, birds sang, raspberries ripened. It was a vibrant place, unlike the inside of our house where often my mother Eileen lay ill in her bedroom.

Mum struggled with ME, or chronic fatigue syndrome, for much of my childhood, unable to look after herself or me and my brother, unresponsive to everyone when at her worst.