Plans for a walk a little curtailed this week as I volunteered for an extra shift at work. The misty weather didn't help either. So, in the end, my walk this week was to church on a misty evening. The foghorn boomed. The trees were still gloriously autumnal and very atmsopheric in the glow of the streetlamps and with the mist every present. It was moody, thoughtful weather. Walking down the road, my mind raced and roved over all kinds of ideas till eventually it was calm. I promised myself to walk home the long way and enjoy more of the bittersweet melancholy.
Inside the church was calm, reverent silence, candles and subdued light. After the service, a friend offered me a lift home. We drove through the mist to home and she accepted my invitation for coffee. As we chatted, she remarked that exercise is apparently as effective as mental activity such as crossword puzzles in staving off memory loss and dementia. So my walking is important, but I also feel that friendship and human company is too
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Functional walking
Little trips across Harian's wall and round Gibside are one thing, but how would I cope if I had to walk everywhere? This train of thought has been prompted by the car's MOT appointment. What if it doesn't get through? How will I get to work? How will I get heavy shopping home? The thoughts were getting gloomier and gloomier as I walked back up Laygate from Maxwell Street. I crossed in front of Chichester metro and imagined many visits that way.
Truthfully, of course, if I had to manage I would manage without a car. We have excellent public transport in the North East and it would probably work out as cheap to buy a season ticket as to run a car. Of course, my time planning would have to change - no more racing to work at the last minute! I would have to fit in with the metro and bus schedules. But I could read or knit while on the journey. As for shopping, maybe I could shop online and have things delivered. And I'd have to walk that little bit more for functional reasons and not just for fun. I used to do it, as a family we didn't own a car.
Could I do it? Could I take the plunge and say 'no more car ownership for me'? The phone rang, it had passed, I could collect it. I walked happily down Chichester Road, cut round the back of Storey's carpets onto Victoria Road and, pausing only to admire the crumbling frontage of Bethesda Free Church (my father preached here, even attended Sunday School), I paid up and drove the car away. Another year of car ownership beckons, but maybe I need to learn not to be so dependent.
Truthfully, of course, if I had to manage I would manage without a car. We have excellent public transport in the North East and it would probably work out as cheap to buy a season ticket as to run a car. Of course, my time planning would have to change - no more racing to work at the last minute! I would have to fit in with the metro and bus schedules. But I could read or knit while on the journey. As for shopping, maybe I could shop online and have things delivered. And I'd have to walk that little bit more for functional reasons and not just for fun. I used to do it, as a family we didn't own a car.
Could I do it? Could I take the plunge and say 'no more car ownership for me'? The phone rang, it had passed, I could collect it. I walked happily down Chichester Road, cut round the back of Storey's carpets onto Victoria Road and, pausing only to admire the crumbling frontage of Bethesda Free Church (my father preached here, even attended Sunday School), I paid up and drove the car away. Another year of car ownership beckons, but maybe I need to learn not to be so dependent.
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Northumberlandia and Gibside
I've had some company - my brother - over the weekend and this combined with the fine weather has made for some lovely and memorable walks. Here goes...
Sunday we travelled to Cramlington to visit Northumberlandia. You know, the largest sculpture of the female form, made from colliery spoil heaps, known to the wits as Slag Alice. Yes her. She really is a striking sight and there were plenty of people to admire her. We walked up her arms to her 'third eye', across her chest, paused at her hips and knees before walking all round her. It is only a matter of time before they are doing meditation walks round here, you mark my words. What a landmark to imagination and creativity! And from her forehead you can see Penshaw Monument and possibly the Angel of the North.
Next up was Gibside on Tuesday. We didn't do the skyline walk, but instead followed the riverside walk which first climbs up a one side of a dene, then back down to the Derwent. At the top, surrounded by trees and sheltered in the bright sunshine, it was beautifully warm and so so quiet. At the riverbank the evidence of recent flood water was there to see but on this day it was a calm and gentle river running past. It again makes me wonder why I don't come here more often, we are so lucky to have such a beautiful place on our doorstep.
We also slotted in small walks e.g. round the Angel of the North; along Shields beach; round Roker Park to admire the lights show; round West Park in Shields. There's so much more incentive to walk in company.
Sunday we travelled to Cramlington to visit Northumberlandia. You know, the largest sculpture of the female form, made from colliery spoil heaps, known to the wits as Slag Alice. Yes her. She really is a striking sight and there were plenty of people to admire her. We walked up her arms to her 'third eye', across her chest, paused at her hips and knees before walking all round her. It is only a matter of time before they are doing meditation walks round here, you mark my words. What a landmark to imagination and creativity! And from her forehead you can see Penshaw Monument and possibly the Angel of the North.
Next up was Gibside on Tuesday. We didn't do the skyline walk, but instead followed the riverside walk which first climbs up a one side of a dene, then back down to the Derwent. At the top, surrounded by trees and sheltered in the bright sunshine, it was beautifully warm and so so quiet. At the riverbank the evidence of recent flood water was there to see but on this day it was a calm and gentle river running past. It again makes me wonder why I don't come here more often, we are so lucky to have such a beautiful place on our doorstep.
We also slotted in small walks e.g. round the Angel of the North; along Shields beach; round Roker Park to admire the lights show; round West Park in Shields. There's so much more incentive to walk in company.
 |
| On Northumberlandia |
 |
| River Derwent at Gibside |
 |
| Orangery at Gibside |
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Heaton Park and Armstrong Park
With autumn now well and truly here, I think the rest of Hadrian's Wall will have to wait till next spring. Let's hope I'm still up to it by then!
Today I was heading for Newcastle to have coffee with a friend and to visit the bank, so I decided on a stroll round Heaton Park. I've driven by it before, but never visited. How lucky Newcastle is with its green areas - not only the Town Moor but also a huge green lung stretching down Jesmond Dene and into Armstrong and Heaton Parks! I parked in Heaton Park View and walked down past the play area and the bowling green. I saw the ruins of the palace and the windmill and continued through Armstrong Park to the bridge across the coast road and the entrance to Jesmond Dene. Tempting though it was to walk up the Dene, I turned back and followed a path down to the bottom of the park and continued along parallel to the road. It was so lovely and soothing to be amongst greenery. The trees are magnificent this year, really benefitting from the rain, and the autumn colours are beginning to develop. I walked above the cattle drove (a little oddity I hadn't heard of before) and eventually the path turned up a flight of stone steps under trees. By now it was raining hard and I stopped under the trees, sheltered from it all and enjoying listening to the patter of rain on leaves. I was alone, and it was quite a spiritual moment, haven't had one of those for a while.
I followed the path round by where the Temple had stood (so an information board told me) and back to where I had begun. It wasn't a long walk by any means, but it was a soothing one and I'm sure I shall return to it and to sample the delights of the Italian restaurant in the pavilion.
Today I was heading for Newcastle to have coffee with a friend and to visit the bank, so I decided on a stroll round Heaton Park. I've driven by it before, but never visited. How lucky Newcastle is with its green areas - not only the Town Moor but also a huge green lung stretching down Jesmond Dene and into Armstrong and Heaton Parks! I parked in Heaton Park View and walked down past the play area and the bowling green. I saw the ruins of the palace and the windmill and continued through Armstrong Park to the bridge across the coast road and the entrance to Jesmond Dene. Tempting though it was to walk up the Dene, I turned back and followed a path down to the bottom of the park and continued along parallel to the road. It was so lovely and soothing to be amongst greenery. The trees are magnificent this year, really benefitting from the rain, and the autumn colours are beginning to develop. I walked above the cattle drove (a little oddity I hadn't heard of before) and eventually the path turned up a flight of stone steps under trees. By now it was raining hard and I stopped under the trees, sheltered from it all and enjoying listening to the patter of rain on leaves. I was alone, and it was quite a spiritual moment, haven't had one of those for a while.
I followed the path round by where the Temple had stood (so an information board told me) and back to where I had begun. It wasn't a long walk by any means, but it was a soothing one and I'm sure I shall return to it and to sample the delights of the Italian restaurant in the pavilion.
 |
| King John's well |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)