Roam with me to the footbridge by the ford
By Rhiannonw
- 3220 reads
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]
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Comments
You really look me with you
You really look me with you on this walk (slide) - thank you Rhiannon, and I hope the mud's all washed off
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I always enjoy your walks
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
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Gosh Rhiannon, this sounds
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.
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What a rich landscape to
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.
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I enjoyed that highly visual
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
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Enjoyed your description of
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!
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Hi Rhiannon
Hi Rhiannon
I like the way you organised the poem - giving directions for each new step into the walk. Lovely descriptions.
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You make writing about nature
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
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