The sun goes down on the Vernal Equinox

Instructions for sitting

The benches that I've passed today and yesterday, have all been put in places I don't want to stop. All of them seemed like a slightly military bark to stop there and look at Nature - 'It'll do you good'. I can't help associate them with the notion of the improving landscape that has its route in the period I'm interested in thinking about, the period of the construction of the modern idea of landscape and what to do in it. The thoughts that perhaps propelled those teenagers into the 'fresh air'. Thoughts I can't help thinking were not theirs, but their parents, perhaps now enjoying a few moments of quiet at home.

Not one of these benches had shelter over them, like the structure I fantasised I would find, a sort of bus shelter half way up a mountain. The strangest for me was the one I saw yesterday, by the side of a moderately busy road, placed up a bank, and overlooking a singularly unnoteworthy view of the blank heather hill opposite. It was dedicated to 'a local walker' but I can't help thinking he'd be a bit disappointed at its placement.

Thoughts I had to save for later

My walk today had a totally different character to yesterday. This had a lot to do with the weather and my choice of route to Bamford. I went on the "Derwent Valley Heritate Trail", the prominence of which on the map should have alerted me to it's popularity. At the start were clumps of goretexed teenagers bright as petrol station primulas, saying goodbye to their teachers/parents/scout leaders. Another group I passed, equipped for a hike up a mountain, rather than a stroll by a river, were being patronised by some sort of local area guide, who was asking just as I passed, "High Low [a local hill] - funny name, any ideas or comments?". I got a sympathetic "Hello" from one of the participants.

The upshot of all this, rainy weather, wet surfaces, followed by packs of walkers, was that there was nowhere I felt I could stop. It made me wonder what walkers and painters of old did - waited for better weather probably. Is it a function of our busy schedules that we go out in all weathers because we only have one shot at it? Perhaps that is a positive aspect of having to schedule things so tightly.

Another walk film

This time I put the web cam on the back of my rucksack, facing downwards.
I think it gives an even better impression of the walk than if it were pointing outwards

Haunting Bamford

The goal of my walk today, as I stated here before heading out, was Bamford, a village I'd spent a few weeks in in 1978 when I was 12. I can't remember anything very much about this holiday at all, or rather I can't remember Bamford at all and wanted to know if going back would prompt any recollection whatsoever.

Disappointingly, I had no proustian moment of memory flooding back in all its vivid detail. The past and the person I was then felt very distant. I felt quite ghost-like myself as I haunted the streets of Bamford (there aren't that many), in the hope of feeling something, of catching a glimpse of the 12 year old me disappearing round the corner ahead.

A plan

This portrait of the artist (and his mother!) as a young man was taken in, I think 1978 when we had a family holiday in Bamford, the neighbouring village. My plan today is to walk to Bamford, trying not to let the rain cramp my style and see if I can remember anything about being there when I was 12.

First Day of Spring

Believe it or not, today is the Vernal Equinox, that astronomical event when the day is as long as the night. I can't believe that we are a quarter of the way through the year, the snow I saw yesterday clinging to the foot of Stannage Edge made me feel that the Winter has not yet released us from its grasp. It's been long, this Winter.

Reminding us that this is an astronomical event, rather than a meteorological one, this is what the first day of Spring looks like from my hotel window

Still Digesting

I slept like a log last night and found it hard to keep my eyes open past 11pm, I felt so tired, physically and mentally. Yesterday was so rich, I think I'll be unpicking it for some time. I meant to post some of the pictures that made the 16 second video because I really like their unfocussed, un-intentionally framed quality. See what you think:

Comments

I've had some lovely email responses to the blog - thank you all but I'd encourage you to also think about commenting so it's not just me and my thoughts here. Think about it, I'd be delighted if you would.