This morning we are three
a fine drizzle fades to nothing
at first our path goes past the church
through the damp grassy field
no cows or sheep today
across the railway line
look and listen
the next field's ploughed
the path just visible
sticky after last night's rain
downhill and on
to the road
we cross the Welland
and take the path
by the weir and fish ladder
over a stile and
past kingfisher fence
no bird here today . . .
ahead
we see a heron rise and glide
stretch-legged and slow-winged
low over the next field
to a new fishing spot
above
a red kite navigates
seeking carrion
we walk the wide valley floor
note where during the War
a Lancaster Avro
clipped an ancient oak
then crashed 20 miles further on
near Northampton
Caldecott . . .
another road
duck eggs for sale
and now a stretch of minor road
about a mile
before the turn to a plantation
and footbridges over the river course
as it chooses its route
the wind still chills
so we seek shelter
among the sycamores
whose yellow leaves carpet the ground
I choose a tree to be my back rest
coffee and scones
my walking esentials
then on to cross another road,
head up into Rockingham
whose tea-shop doesn't do Mondays
we climb the steep roadside pavement
pass flowerpot men,
a Bill and a Ben
- all together now . . .
Turn at the forge
past the cars and
down the meadow,
views over the valley to our left
Caldecott, Seaton, Lyddington churches
clustered houses, lines of trees
before the railway bridge we turn
it seems the farmer has blocked
the unofficial path -
the one that cuts out West Hill
we take the longer flatter way.
When we arrive in Gretton
the cafe is filled to the brim
there's a funeral ahead.
We enter, muddy boots in hand
(not on our feet)
ah, there's a table free.
The volunteer servers are under pressure
but food is good, though coffee
could be stronger!
The funeral guests depart
and we expand into the space available.
2 comments:
A lovely record - and a new style of recording it!
Thank you, Ida. Pleased you enjoyed it!
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