I am staying put, not moving. It is too challenging with Kali, needing night time pees, and he needs a known and certain landscape to walk in. Although I will miss the warm welcome and cosy family gathering and cooking at Maidens, I am also content not to move, and in that space it has allowed, I have found some unexpected moments. I have at times been bored!
Christmas Eve
We set out on a walk I had not done for years, along the Blyth, from Blyford to Blythborough, church to church, pub to pub. A touch of trespass on the way disobeying footpath closed until it was bramble that blocked. A small Rubican to cross where water had eroded the path.
Reaching the Cathedral in the Marshes, we meandered the graveyard, names of people, short biogs, images. The Blois family at one end. Will I ever get together an index of graveyards I have visited in my life? A good COVID project! Wondered how I didn’t know about a tour of church every Thursday. We were the first customers at the White Hart, dogs admired from afar as we drank an applely cider before turning back.
I feel the shallow breath in my lungs. Dogs delighted with the run.
Christmas Day
We did the continuation of the Blyth, the more well known circular route walking from home, via the wood and land, the edge of the Pits then across the road over the railway and Blyth bridges, up the farmers road, across his land (no path maintained) to find – once again – the footpath along the edge of the quarry was overgrown. Looking back I see I’ve raised complaint 2019, 2020 and 2022! Just done it again.
Good to walk, in preparation for a full Turkey dinner with Pippa and her lovely family. Found good connection with her Kent friends, talking Hobbs and life being ‘brutish and short’.
Boxing Day
Shorter walk with Sara and her stimulating family, Sam, Josh, Rachel with her invigorating children. (Rachel, Murdo and their two children had 6 months in Detroit, the car city, centre abandoned, semi re-wilded). Sara’s brother has died, unexpectedly. I feel for her. I do love her, company and family.
Post Boxing day
Walk with Peggy, who took me to Coast Guards cottages to walk the circuit. Meeting Paul and Adelle on the way reminded me we had walked this on a full moon walk, organised by Kim and with Patrick Barkham when we heard and saw the Nightjars. Peggy was excellent company, incisive and often funny. She gave me a delicious smoked salmon lunch afterwards with a glass or two of merlot. We deserved it! She said she may not sail again, and I asked how she came to this limitation. Yes, part body (she has Rheumatoid arthritis) but also part a desire to dally rather than just sail from point to point.
Kalikellett 