Pilgrimage?
It’s a new year. Christmas is over. But it’s not. Many observe the twelve days of Christmas. On the twelfth day, we take down decorations and put the tree and its pot in the garden. Years ago decided this is Jan 6th. During the twelve days i like to walk to Canterbury Cathedral to see…
Christmas is coming
Christmas, birth of Jesus, celebrated conveniently soon after the (northern hemisphere) winter solstice. After solstice, this year Dec21, we can look forward to longer days. Though probably not warmer. Eventually Spring. Though depth of winter is yet to come. Christmas customs vary. Seems each family has its own, probably a synthesis of what the parents…
Winter is here
December is a long decline to the solstice, Dec 21, when days get longer and we can look forward to spring. If winter comes can spring be far behind? Here in Canterbury it’s 4pm and almost dark. Sixteen hours to dawn. We’ve had bright frosty blue sky days, good for walking. And damp dull days…
A short walk by the Great Ouse
Great Ouse is one of Englands longer rivers. About 260 km from near Silverstone in Northants to Kings Lynn in Norfolk. In April 2008 i’d driven from Canterbury to Norwich to take youngest son to Cambridge and third son to University of East Anglia. They’re twins. Lunch in Trinity. Stayed at Kings Lynn Youth Hostel.…
Royal Military Canal
Unusual, maybe unique, canal in Kent and east Sussex. Not built for transport, nor to provide flat rural walks. RMC was made to defend against Napoleons army. Under cliffs on north side of Romney Marsh, it is 28 miles long from Seabrook [Old English Sae broc, sea marsh] to Cliffsend. The marsh was long ago…
Oxford Canal
The Oxford Canal opened 1790 between Hawkesbury near Coventry and the river Thames at Oxford. Made a rambling link between Brum and London. A route made shorter by the later Grand Union. Walk from Oxford to Banbury took three instalments. Did lot of walking in Oxford in the sixties, often in sleepless nights. About 1968…
Canal walks
Have been watching repeats on BBC4 tv of Canal Boat Diaries, by Robbie Cumming. Reminded of pleasure of walking by canals. Canals have towpaths because boats were pulled by horses. Now used by walkers, runners and probably cyclists. For my first twenty odd years lived about a mile from Tame Valley Canal in Birmingham. Recall…
Not a wasted walk
Wednesday Nov 10th, a week after wasted walk to dentist. Papers late: couldn’t wake brain with Guardian crossword. Forecast dry, 13 deg. Wore thick yellow jumper. Raincoat in backpack with library books. Thought of repeating previous route. But needed to visit Nationwide. Shorter to go there first. Subway under Rheims Way. Past castle, needing repair.…
Another wasted walk
Actually think no walk is wasted. Exercise, good for mind and body. At the time felt different. Wed Nov 2. Dental appointment 1145. Built my day around it. Bath and clean clothes. Part of T20 cricket, on radio: Bangladesh v India. Snack at 10. Sunny, 13 deg. Jumper. Did without raincoat. Walked via Tannery estate,…
A Wednesday walk
This blog is about walking. Keep telling myself “its not about me” Of course it is. But its not meant to be about illness, infirmity or mental state. Except where decrepitude affects walking. Three miles in two and a half hours seems to be limit. Routine trip into Canterbury city centre is a major expedition.…
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Rambling Brummie 