The walk that I had last week was another one of absolutely desperate need to be outside and away from my computer. I'd been having real trouble sleeping because of a big work thing going on, and I was finding it very difficult to turn my brain off. So I made myself go out for a walk, which is always absolutely the right thing to do. I thought I might walk to Morecambe and back. But as soon as I set off, my legs were heavy and I knew I just didn't want to do five miles ... but I thought I could manage three.
It didn't start off all that well because the traffic was hellish busy and noisy. That wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted some quiet. But I carried on anyway because I knew that at some point before I reached home, the voices in my head would sod off and I'd find my peace again.
I didn't find my peace here, but I did find a smile when I remembered that Thomas and James played football on a Saturday morning here for a few months when they were very young. Neither of them were very good because they were too gentlemanly and a bit shy. They each got a little trophy out of it though, so that was nice. Except that on the trophy collecting day, they both had flu. We wouldn't have made them go, but they wanted to, so they dragged themselves out to collect their trophies, but then they felt much worse and couldn't join in the celebrating. Awwww, poor lambs.
I didn't take many photos on this walk because I forgot. But also, really, on Morecambe Road, there's not a lot to see except cars, a McDonald's, some nice-ish houses and a big sky, so you've not missed much.
I got to Sirius's Park (you'll recall that it's called this now because we saw a bench in the dark back in April that we thought looked like Sirius Black in dog form). I thought I might find my peace here, and I did feel it trying to nudge it's way past all the loudness. I didn't force it; I knew it would win in the end.
Half of this tree's gone.
This was where I found my peace, and without really noticing it happen. I sat on a bench and looked about me and realised that it was now totally quiet. Some deep breaths and a contented smile, and all was good again in my brain. Does every village have a little spot in it that looks like this? A mini roundabout, a patch of grass with benches for people to catch their breath, some old cottage-looking houses and a church? This really could be anywhere in Britain, couldn't it?
I sat facing this tree-bush-thing. I thought about crawling inside it and having a bit of a doze, but there are probably dirty needles in there so I didn't bother.
I just took this because we were on the subject of old houses the other day when I went off down Slyne Road. These were built in 1652, and I thought you'd like to know. Doesn't look that old, does it, this building? Except that the front doors are really tiny. I think I'd have to duck to get in through them.
I surprised myself after this and, instead of heading straight home from Torrisholme, I veered off to the left and headed to the Favourite Place again. I didn't intend to, but it was one of those occasions when I just wasn't ready to go home. And look, this path looks so inviting, doesn't it? I felt that, if I didn't at least go up there and see the big sky, I'd regret it.
And this was really where I found my proper peace. The peace where I'm all humming and smiling to myself, gazing at trees like I'm a wood nymph. I've contemplated hugging a tree a few times lately, but I don't think I will ever quite go that far. They've got a lot of spiders, wood lice and centipedes on them. A friendly pat will suffice.
This fella must be ancient! Except not actually ancient as in hundreds of years, because I think it's a sycamore and their average life span is apparently 120. But still quite old.
I stopped here and just stood still for a while. When you find the brain peace, you want to keep it for as long as you can. And there were such wonderful fragrances and smells around here! I don't know what most of the trees are that they've planted, but it does smell good on Jack Sparrow Lane, despite it being right next to the big road. It was like spring on this day, even though it's nearly autumn. There was that fresh-cut grass smell again.
This could've been why it didn't quite get a proper look in at this point – I was sat in a cloud of midges. If you're looking on your phone, you might not see them – if you're on a computer, you should be able to. They were ridiculous! What do midges even do?? What are they flying around for? Are they eating something that's too small for us to see? Or are they just stupid, food for the birds and bats?
I sat facing this tree-bush-thing. I thought about crawling inside it and having a bit of a doze, but there are probably dirty needles in there so I didn't bother.
I just took this because we were on the subject of old houses the other day when I went off down Slyne Road. These were built in 1652, and I thought you'd like to know. Doesn't look that old, does it, this building? Except that the front doors are really tiny. I think I'd have to duck to get in through them.
And this was really where I found my proper peace. The peace where I'm all humming and smiling to myself, gazing at trees like I'm a wood nymph. I've contemplated hugging a tree a few times lately, but I don't think I will ever quite go that far. They've got a lot of spiders, wood lice and centipedes on them. A friendly pat will suffice.
I stopped here and just stood still for a while. When you find the brain peace, you want to keep it for as long as you can. And there were such wonderful fragrances and smells around here! I don't know what most of the trees are that they've planted, but it does smell good on Jack Sparrow Lane, despite it being right next to the big road. It was like spring on this day, even though it's nearly autumn. There was that fresh-cut grass smell again.
I thought about going up to my bench, but I was quite tired now and, also, I've started reading James Herriott's books and wanted to get back and dive into the second one.
Eventually, I did have to go home, down Powder House Lane – great name for a lane. It smells good down here too.
Until tomorrow, when I hope to do my final catching up of these walks that I took ages ago!!! Thanks for your impressive patience, friends.
WQ
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