I have been walking a lot for the last week. It's been so dry and walking does wonders for my back and I don't need the Buplex and Paracetamol much, if at all.
Charles Dickens frequently walked twenty miles a day. He once said: "I must be the descendant, at no great distance, of some irreclaimable tramp". He used his walks for a fact finding mission. Walking into areas of all the social classes and no doubt spotting characters that metamorphosised into the literary characters we love and hate in his books.
Any way I walked twelve miles yesterday along the roads and boreens of the peninsula. I nearly got knocked down by a speeding car racing along one part of the road. But thankfully I lived to tell the tale.
In one garden I noticed a yellow Rhododenron in flower in January and I noticed an ancient Bronze age ring fort too. We must have drove passed it hundreds of times but we never saw it. Perhaps its because there are no leaves on the trees? I will post a photo of the fort some time.
Some of the beaches had plastic washed up on them and I see lots of litter in the brambles and verges at this time of year. I never understand why county councils don't provide litter bins or create litter picking jobs. I would do it gladly!
I visited my parents graves and noticed dwarf daffodils pushing their way through the soil. Somebody had mowed the grass around the graves and there were more daffodils in flower.
Stopped at my brothers for twenty minutes and then walked home another way along another tarmac road for a few miles. A jogger said: "hello" and so did a man and woman in high viz jackets. Going for a pleasant walk like myself.
I often wish I had a fellow walking companion and sometimes listen to RTE radio playing the tunes of today. I also think of my ancestors walking to Confirmation lessons and digging turf (peat), making hay, digging spuds and me and my dad having having a pint outside a pub in Durrus. I was only fifteen and we walked over the hills and looked at Dunmanus and Bantry bays.
Isn't it great to go for a walk?
Charles Dickens frequently walked twenty miles a day. He once said: "I must be the descendant, at no great distance, of some irreclaimable tramp". He used his walks for a fact finding mission. Walking into areas of all the social classes and no doubt spotting characters that metamorphosised into the literary characters we love and hate in his books.
Any way I walked twelve miles yesterday along the roads and boreens of the peninsula. I nearly got knocked down by a speeding car racing along one part of the road. But thankfully I lived to tell the tale.
In one garden I noticed a yellow Rhododenron in flower in January and I noticed an ancient Bronze age ring fort too. We must have drove passed it hundreds of times but we never saw it. Perhaps its because there are no leaves on the trees? I will post a photo of the fort some time.
Some of the beaches had plastic washed up on them and I see lots of litter in the brambles and verges at this time of year. I never understand why county councils don't provide litter bins or create litter picking jobs. I would do it gladly!
I visited my parents graves and noticed dwarf daffodils pushing their way through the soil. Somebody had mowed the grass around the graves and there were more daffodils in flower.
Stopped at my brothers for twenty minutes and then walked home another way along another tarmac road for a few miles. A jogger said: "hello" and so did a man and woman in high viz jackets. Going for a pleasant walk like myself.
I often wish I had a fellow walking companion and sometimes listen to RTE radio playing the tunes of today. I also think of my ancestors walking to Confirmation lessons and digging turf (peat), making hay, digging spuds and me and my dad having having a pint outside a pub in Durrus. I was only fifteen and we walked over the hills and looked at Dunmanus and Bantry bays.
Isn't it great to go for a walk?
I envy you, Dave. I used to walk a lot but can do it no longer. I know it sounds daft but I used to like walking in the rain. Haha walking not singing. Do you have hiking clubs near where you live? I ask that in case your desire for a walking buddy could be satisfied.
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie. I don't mind walking in the rain. I just prefer when it's dry and mild like this January. Reminds me of our holiday in the Algarve last January. When I walked six miles everyday on the beach. I don't know of any walking clubs locally. Especially not in the week. I don't mind my own company I just get bored of it some time and listen to the radio in one ear phone. Wish I could still go to Durrus for a pint of Liffey water with my dad. Thanks always for your comments Valerie.
ReplyDeleteI take the dog for a 3 mile walk virtually every day Dave. I usually go the same route with just small variations. I never get bored but I do a lot of thinking. Where we used to live I liked to walk, but we didn’t have a dog then. I never felt entirely comfortable though because I thought being a man walking alone in the woods people might think I was up to no good. Maybe it was my Catholic upbringing. I sometimes carried a fungi identification book as a sort of passport or maybe hang some binoculars around my neck. The dog serves that purpose now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Philip. Just been watching Flog It. It went to Coleridges cottage cottage in Somerset. Dogs are not allowed on the Sheeps head way where I live and the roads are too busy at times for dog walking. I often get barked at when walking past houses and farmsteads. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention that Coleridge use to go walking everyday and nature inspired him to belief in Romanticism.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that long ago when everybody walked everywhere unless they owned a horse. Sadly I sometimes think we've forgotten what our legs are for in favour of go-faster motorised transport, people seem to be in such a hurry.
ReplyDeleteThey may save some time but miss out on a lot, as you say you passed the ring fort many times but never saw it, the happy speeders probably miss 90% of what they pass in their dash to be somewhere else?
Totally agree with you Cumbrian. My grandparents use to walk eleven miles to see each other. The rural road speeds are much too fast. 80 Kilometres per an houris crazy for roads only wide enough for horses and carts and there is always the chance of walkers, cyclists, joggers; cattle and even wildlife on the roads or verges which are very narrow or covered with encroaching brambles, briars...? It was wonderful to see the ringfort for the first time. I must photograph it and post it on here. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNo photos of your walk today Dave. I think you are quiet about things at the moment, doing lots of thinking and no more than that I hope. I don't walk much apart from to and from the train when I go out and I am currently counting that as my exercise.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel. You know me too well. Yes like you I always look forward and make plans. Will post some pictures on my next blog. Wish we had a train near us. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFor the human body walking is the best exercise that there is. Peoples like the Kalahari Bushmen walked for days in search of antelope and wore them down. The wives with children followed. People have gone soft principally due to the motor car. I'm looking to build more walking mileage into my fitness regime. You are an inspiration to us all.
ReplyDeleteIn fact I've recently downloaded the Bergfex app onto the iPad I carry in my rucksack when I go out for a walk or a run. It records the route and other details. And it's nice to reflect on the walks, It's another form of motivation.
DeleteI had to look up 'boreens'. You learn something new every day!
DeleteThanks for the comments Gwil. Walking keeps you fit and it also inspires. I live in some amazing scenery. The countryside next to the sea. Its also a way of coping with rural isolation and alleviates any depression. Nature is wonderful. Especially when you walk and take it all in. Thanks!
DeleteAmazing all the images you discovered! Daffodils on your parents' graves. A bronze age stone fort. You had one heck of a walk.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. I saw a Camelia in flower in the grounds of an old Anglican church and I always notice something new on my saunters. The bronze age fort was buil5 before the pyramids and Jesus. Yet its still there for all to see. The dwarf daffs on my parents grave reminded me that life goes on. It was a great walk. Thanks.
Deleteother than shoe leather, walking is free. I love being out in the open. gives you time to think
ReplyDeleteYes you're right Sol, walking is free. I find after an hours walking. My thoughts blend into the scenery and any problems seem small and far away. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave, walking is the best medicine ever!!
ReplyDeleteYou could walk to Gearhies pier, up to Fahane and down to durrus and have a pint in Ross's or Dennie John L's pub maybe...?!
I'm envious of your walks with the best views too
Hi Sean. I agree walking is the best medicine ever! I have often walked the walk you describe. Like yourself, I know several ways around the peninsula. Last week I walked up to Gearhies and over Brahalish to Durrus. Then back to Coomken, Booltenagh and then walked the last few miles back. I walk the official Sheeps Head Way routes too. It can be a bit muddy at this time of year. The roads can be very dangerous walking too. Thanks.
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ReplyDelete