Roam with me to the footbridge by the ford

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 25 Jan 2022
  • 3217 reads
17 comments
 

A short walk from the ruined castle half-way up the hill
(–  the rain had stopped!)
up the lane to Hanway common on the Aymestry ridge ;
(cows lean out of their barn to munch their hay and stare –
take a photo, might be useful);
reach the common with vast views across the Teme valley
to Tittersone Clee, the Malverns, and the Black Mountains
(bright blue sky and white clouds now)
a house is cradled deep in the cwm below, a dip in the ridge-side.
Then cross the common, down a hedged track (part of the Mortimer Trail),
turn left across a field, and left again into woods,
down a steep muddy slippery leafy path
(‘Don’t slip!’  … I slipped! … muddy clothes)
into a dingle with a grassy slope on one side
where a tree lies which last time we passed by
stood stark and lightening-struck grey,
now its bark gone, just crumbling deep gingery-brown, flat on the ground.
Path becomes a lane, on to which a shallow stream flows awhile:
long ford.
We wade along it, until we come to where it leaves the path
– there is a footbridge we could have used –
but we hope some of the mud has washed off our boots!
Then up through the trees to cross a field
back to the church with the grassy castle ruins rising behind.

[IP: inspired by the third from last photo you took]

 

Certificate U
Poem
Countryside explorations
Nature
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

You really look me with you on this walk (slide) - thank you Rhiannon, and I hope the mud's all washed off smiley

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes, thanks. Glad you enjoyed the slide without getting muddy! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

and thanks for the cherries on the walk. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I always enjoy your walks Rhiannon. Your carefully chosen descriptive words bring back such memories of when I lived in England and my weekend walks in Wiltshire and Somerset. Especially the muddy boots!

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks. It has added to the pleasure of being able again to get out a bit to try to record for my own memory and to take others in the fresh air and introduce our scenery! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Gosh Rhiannon, this sounds like some trek and quite a challenge with being so slippery in places. I hope you are okay after the fall, it can be very painful. 

The poem and photo described give a sense of real adventure to your roaming, and as always you took me there.

Jenny.

 

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jenny. This walk is only a couple of miles, but has such 3-dimensional views and variety, and it isn't far to get to, so it is a favourite, though we hadn't walked it all for quite some time.

There was really only that one really slippery place, but mostly I was careful to walk on the grass to the side, but suddenly got a bit complacent and stepped into the middle of the slippery part, and not too carefully, but I landed quite gracefully and in a soft sliding fall I think (with a shriek!) on my side which was in waterproof leggings and anorak! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

What a rich landscape to explore. I got the sense of cold and damp combined with so much winter life and texture. The Black mountains above and the fallen tree 'bark - deep gingery-brown'. Your detailed descriptions create such a realistic image for the reader, it's like looking at photographs.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jane. That is very encouraging. Though it must have been the bark that was grey, now leaving the tree that deep brown colour as it lay now on the ground. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

I enjoyed that highly visual walk with you, Rhiannon. Good to see you so active at the moment and taking in such beautiful hikes. Paul

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Paul. Glad to have been there and to be able to share! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Enjoyed your description of your walk, particularly the introduction of a companion

"‘Don’t slip!’  … I slipped! …" which added to the sense of being there. Am glad you landed gracefully, something I aspire to but do not achieve, despite lots of practice. Am glad you are ok, and very glad to read your bracing account, and how the landscape changed since last time. I go the same walk every day, you make me want to do something new!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

smiley!! Thanks, glad you enjoyed. It was I who warned him not to slip, but it was me that slid`!
Slippy mud and a layer of decaying leaves are a soft landing anyway! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

 

I like the way you organised the poem - giving directions for each new step into the walk. Lovely descriptions.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. Glad you enjoyed! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

You make writing about nature appear so natural that I am tempted to say li is 'second nature to you.
I believe that your descriptions of walks and climbs over the Welsh Hills are unparalleled. This is another fine example.

Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

 Thank you so much, Luigi. The scenery near where we live helps much, but being able to get out a bit again and drink in and remember and so record too! Rhiannon