Our friend, Prue, has been staying with partner Michael–only our second set of visiting friends in eighteen months. Prue is a walker–a 10,000 steps-a-day walker–and an inspiration, as such. She’s got me going again and I thank her for that, although I can no longer walk at her pace, so we don’t walk together.
Yesterday like the Grand old Duke of York, I marched (marcher —to walk) right up to the top of the hill and I marched right down again. Thirty minutes plus; a short walk compared to Prue, for whom it would have been a sprint. Horses for courses- and at present, I’m happy with my cart horse shorter distance–long enough to make me feel virtuous, and exercise those small muscles in the feet and ankles which are critical for keeping balanced.
Today–more adventurous–I detoured up a pathway, two hundred yards from the house, a shortcut linking the road to the hameau [hamlet] above us– a rutted tractor track for the farmers.
I’d been wary of it, tempting though it is. Too overgrown with long grass and brambles, and to be honest, I feared tripping and falling–and not being able to get up! (Oh dear, how has it come to this?).
Then a couple of days ago while driving past, I noticed that it looked cleared, more approachable, less hazardous for a walker. Perhaps a farmer had run an old tractor over it. Nonetheless, I took two walking sticks today to help steady myself, and set off.
I picked my way gingerly (an early 16th-century term–meaning elegantly, daintily, walking or dancing with small elegant steps) up the path, collecting some freshly fallen walnuts and squeezing a black fig for ripeness from a bush, then discarding it. Not a good year for figs!
Reaching the hameau I set off again in one piece and proud! As I rounded the corner to join the main country road, I heard a low buzzing on my right. The buzzing of the bees in the cigarette trees! *
This was turning into a rich nature walk!
A high wall of flowering ivy was a “hive” of activity, so to speak. And not only with bees! Beautiful Red Admiral butterflies and flying insects were sharing the feast.
What a sight and sound–and only yards from chez nous!
I paused in wonder and then moved on down the hill and home.
Prue might not be too impressed with my short walk–though she would be too discreet to say so. No matter! I’d bearded the path and emerged unscathed–richer by a couple of walnuts and already remembering other paths with walnut trees in season and the odd fig tree too.
- Big Rock Candy Mountain–I remember being charmed by Burl Ives singing this on Saturday morning Children’s Favourites, BBC Home Service, in the early fifties.
What beautiful scenery! Not sure those cigarette trees are PC these days! Wishing you many happy walks in your wonderful countryside.
Old hobo song I’ve learned since; bowdlerised by Burl or others for a kids audience.
Burl Ives! I now have ‘I know an old lady who swallowed a fly’ buzzing round my head…. Thanks for that Robin🤣
Oh dear! buzzing though!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful walk and all the moments you were able to experience while not “marching”. I like the idea of slow rambling and having the chance to enjoy all that nature has on offer.
Oh Robin I feel your pain! My husband and I had been walking two miles a day for three years and at age 79 my hip has become a hindrance. Ugly arthritis has reared its head. My husband has the same, only his is affecting his back. So we take short walks (with walking sticks). We notice, as you have, that we see many things along the way. Perhaps in our more strident walks we missed many beautiful sights. We have decided that there are blessings to be found in a slow and shorter stroll.
What a truly lovely description of your walk, Robin! My husband Doug had taken a tumble today, when he was out – and he came home from his shopping excursion and said, “How on earth did we get to this ‘falling about’ stage in our lives, Li?” How, indeed!
Here’s to more walks, more walnuts and some good figs! Our good wishes to you both.
Lilac, at St.Austell.
My best to Doug for a quick stabilisation! Here’s to more walks indeed.
Don’t I sympathise, Robin! En avant!! Poor Vicky has been in hospital with a badly broken leg, 5 weeks now, but should come home tomorrow. With luck. Much love to you both. MxxSent from my Galaxy
How horrible, Mark–so sorry. Hope she makes it home tomorrow and continues to make progress. Much love to you both. Rxx
Love this post! Thank you, Mr. Ellis.
Thank you.
What an inspiration you are!! I do portrait work and just became very interested in Nature Journaling. I need to build up my strength a bit, and you just gave me the courage I need!!!!! Thanks, Robin!!!!!😘💞
Courage!
So inspiring again as usual..love it xx trudy bodmin
Sounds like a lovely expedition! ♥️
Robin ,
Why has your walking become so troublesome
Enjoy your short stories
Best wishes
Maurice.
Dublin
Ireland
Not really troublesome. I am unsteady at times and have to be wary of that. Walking–staying mobile is important. It’s also enjoyable.
Good for you! I work from home and was leading a very sedentary life until I bought a new iPhone which had a step counter on it. It made me realise how lazy I was! I live in Cardiff and we are surrounded by beautiful parks, woods and Caerphilly Mountain is on our doorstep. We have discovered so much beauty in our local area, while getting fitter every day. My husband (who was diagnosed as diabetic last year) has lost two stone and is no longer diabetic (though we still enjoy your recipes!). I have lost a stone and a bit. Our stamina has also improved. Work on the basis that a little and often is great and try to add a little more every day. Warning – it may become a little addictive! xxx
Good addictive though! Well done to Hubby indeed!
Hi Robin, Like you, I’m having trouble getting around, and now I’m in the prime walking country of Wales, I’m feeling particularly antsy to get out and about. There is an old WW1 military cemetery behind our bungalow estate, but the path to it involves a very large step that my son says he wouldn’t like to see me attempt. There is another way, but involves a walk of at least a mile each way! The cemetery is mainly for my grandfather’s old regiment, so I would love to see it. Dilemma: do I risk the short way, or wait till I feel really good to try the long way round?
Cheers, Jill
Dilemma!
Old Age and all it’s problems is a pain, but I guess it is better than the Alternative. My husband, used to say “How do you know”? I am still waiting for the answer.
Thank you for the encouragement of the short walk. I walk my Shi Tzu Emma Lou every day and it feels good to get out and smell the air. I live in Everett, WA/ and will get the wonderful smell of the smell of salt water from the Puget Sound. It is so wonderful. I too have found my balance compromised and have to be careful with uneven sidewalks. A walking stick is very helpful.
Well done for persisting, Emma.
Well done you! Lovely to get ‘rewarded’ by the experience when you make an effort to tackle something different. Has inspired me to use the opportunities while I can, before I have to think twice!
Go! go! go!
How lovely so see some photos of your walk, to go with your wonderful description. It doesn’t matter how far or how fast you go, just getting out in the fresh air and stretching your legs is so good for you. I hope you enjoy more of these strolls.
Thanks, Sarah.
Love this post Robin and the beautiful photos. And ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain’ brought unexpected tears to my eyes as I had a flashback to my darling (tone deaf) Dad ‘singing’ it to us as he supervised bath time over half a century ago! We adopted a 7 year old rescue terrier almost 3 months ago (Elsie) and she had to be taught to walk again after 3 years of a sedentary lifestyle. She will only go out if both of us go…Paul and I had visions of a lovely stroll together with her each morning, catching up on our news and watching the wildlife. The reality is somewhat different. Elsie trots along at a VERY brisk pace with me on the end of the lead, barely stopping for 45 mins, while Paul lags some way behind doing the housekeeping (scooping the poop, feeding the swans on the canal, stopping off at the newsagents for the daily paper…) we hardly exchange a word!! On the plus side – we are home by 8am & I’ve lost over 5kg in the 3 months and feel much fitter! Our love to you both x
Love the name–very period. Sounds delightful and bravo on the weight loss.Love to you both–sorry: all three!
Lovely description of your walk and much enjoyed your photos. Both John and
I felt that we had been on it with you. Well done! It is frustrating to be in the middle of such wonderful country yet the paths can be quite hazardous.
Back in Eastbourne in the next couple of weeks and looking forward to the
flat, tarmacadamed coastal promenades!
Thank you, Madeleine–lovely to have you both “with me”! Two sticks the answer when in doubt. Safe journey home to Eastbourne–say hello to the bandstand for me!