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Thursday, 14 June 2012

Ged's Way, Castle Eden Dene

The start of the walk

A mass of tree roots, now supported by concrete pillars

Magic bridge

One of the waymarkers
A day off that turned out to be fine (in June, fancy!) was the perfect excuse to walk Ged's Way again.  I found it years ago when I first walked in Castle Eden Dene and had wanted to walk it during Lent, but that didn't work out.  All the information I can find out about the walk is that it was set up in memory of Ged Traynor who was tragically killed in a rail accident.  It's a mile long contemplative walk through the dene with waymarkers sculpted by Michael Johnson containing words written by Linda France.  According to the Memorial at the start of the walk, this forms part of a 25 mile walk through Easington District, all to be known at Ged's Way.  I haven't been able to find any information at all about the longer walk but I'll keep trying.

As soon as I got into the dene I started to relax (rumours of big cat sightings notwithstanding).  The greenery was fresh and beautiful, the bird song wonderful and because it was mid-week I had the place virtually to myself.   I soon spotted the first waymarker and as I walked I let the words guide my thoughts.  Gradually my arms went from folded tightly across my chest to swinging by my sides.  I hope you people of Durham know how lucky you are to have the denes.  Further down came the trickling of the stream, flattened grass alongside of it evidence of the heavy rain that we have had.  Then the bridge, to the Celts crossings like this were 'thin' places where earth and heaven might meet, there's certainly something special about pausing to watch the water and the stones of the stream bed and look up at the tree canopy.

I don't feel I've done the place justice at all.  There are lovely trees, magical-looking root systems, limestone cliffs, the stream, the wildlife.  It really is a healing place, one to relax into.  I didn't continue across the road to the sea, but turned back at what I took to be the last marker on the way.  Here are the words written on the markers.

No wind or rain can wash away the good you do

Each leaf on every tree says live each day as if it were your last

Every night listen to the light of the moon.  Follow your own star

We are the love we leave behind

In the shade of the yew trees
don't think you have time
life is short
regretting is long
listen for the sound of the sea
the pulse of your own heart
live every single day
as if it were your last

2 comments:

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  2. Grace, this is so special. it is in memory of our brother, Gerard. I was part of the group with Linda France when she composed the poem. We walk in Castle Eden Dene every year in memory of Ged, on a weekend close to his anniversary. By co-incidence, the next walk is Sat 21st September. If you are there, you will be most welcome. Veronica Anonymous on 20/09/13

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