Normally I walk alone. I'm referring to country rambles. I plod at my own pace with my own thoughts, alert to the world around me - without distraction. There are no discussions, no pauses to agree the way forward.
However, on Sunday morning I walked with my old friend Tony. He had driven over from The East Riding of Yorkshire to ramble in sunshine on the first day of December. We headed to Bradfield - to the north west of Sheffield where farmland meets moorland. Surprisingly, he had never been there before so it was a delight to introduce him to this lovely corner of The Peak District.
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| St Nicholas's Church, High Bradfield |
We left Clint by the cricket ground in Low Bradfield and set off towards Agden Reservoir. Five miles later we were back in the lower village ordering hot teas and snacks in the small post office-cum-cafe before driving back into the city.
It had been a delightful walk and there was conversation too - some of it about Tony's forthcoming marriage. It's his second marriage and early in the new year I will be his best man for the second time.
I have known that fellow for forty years. There is no pretence nor point scoring in our fellowship. It's all so easy and so comfortable. We have shared secrets with each other that we have never shared with any other person.
Sometimes it's good to walk with someone else.
It's too hot here to be walking about...I don't walk about much anyway...and definitely not in this weather. I'll let you do all the walking for me, Yorkie. I'll just sit here and keep Clint company!
ReplyDeleteThe cattle and birds were eavesdropping...but they won't repeat your secrets to anyone, either.
Oh. That is reassuring. I always whisper my secrets when passing cattle.
DeleteBradfield! The name of the place and the picture of St. Nicholas's Church made me think of the beautiful sunny day I spent in and around Bradfield in 2014 with my Aunt Jean and Uncle Brian. I wrote a three-part post about it back then; the first part is here in case you want to compare photos.
ReplyDeleteYour walk with Tony sounds very good. Like you, I often walk alone, but walking with O.K. has become one of my favourite pastimes on weekends and holidays.
I remember you visiting Bradfield back in 2014 but I did not spot any plaques commemorating that royal visit.
DeleteIt seems to have rained every day for weeks until Sunday. Lovely day for walking. And yesterday and today. Looking forward to lots of walking posts. Unfortunately I'm having to catch up pruning trees and bushes.
ReplyDeleteMrs Dunham treats you like a houseboy.
DeleteIt's a special thing to have such a long and easy friendship. Most of the people who were at my wedding 28 years ago are no longer in touch so being the best man twice is another testament to a solid friendship. Enjoy the day & congratulations to you (as well as to Tony)
ReplyDeleteI am not a friend magnet so Tony is very special to me.
DeleteHaving a friend like that is wonderful. I like walking by myself but I enjoy company as well. As always, love the photos, especially the robin. At least I'm guessing it's a robin, our robins are larger. Robins mean springtime here.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed a robin. We see robins the whole year through but for some reason they are especially associated with Christmas.
DeleteHe must be a good friend indeed for you to share a walk with him. Sounds like a wonderful day. And I can't stop looking at that shaggy beast. Is he a Highland? You've just caused me to go look at the UK cattle breeds page. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHighland cows are usually ginger but colours can vary. I liked the way the colour of the silver birch tree is echoed in the cow's shaggy coat.
DeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteAn enjoyable day by the sound of it. Fresh air, sunny skies and a good friend to share it with.
ReplyDeleteBut we were not singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music..."
DeleteWhat a beautiful walk and with a good friend too. It is good to share time like that with a good friend. Congratulations on being best man!
ReplyDeleteIt was different from my usual walks Bonnie.
DeleteSounds like a great outing. I almost never walk with anyone else either. I've been on photo walks with groups and I often find myself feeling constrained, having to go where others want to go and at their pace rather than mine. I am a solitary walker.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about constraint and group dynamics when walking. It's good to be free.
DeleteI too, prefer to walk alone. However, I do like meeting people during my walk.
ReplyDeleteYou always like meeting moose!
DeleteWalking is great. Alone or in company. I have had some of the most profound conversations out there, in the woods, through the fields, up and down the valleys. Falling into a stride.
ReplyDeleteOne of the funniest co-walkers I ever encountered ("funny" being used loosely) was the future father of son (FOS). He took me on some grand walks; not least in the Lake District. May love be counted by thee size of blisters, grown up the fells in a newly purchased (Lillywhites, Picadilly Circus, London pair of walking boots. Oh did my futur sister-in-law laugh (we were staying with her and the hunter) when she bandaged me up. "Why didn't you say anything?", she asked. No idea how well she knows/knew her brother. We are talking about a man who'd, map in hand, would never ever retrace his steps. If the walk turned into a dead end no way did he turn round. Instead he'd write to the editor of the walking book guide. Being totally smitten with him I thought it amusing - if, at times, not exactly pragmatic. Anyway, and where is the morale of the story in that, he is now ( and has been for a long time) married to an American who, so she confided in me, doesn't like hiking. No blisters for her.
And, yes, YP, old friends are good friends. New friends too once they have been broken in ...
Thick sock greetings,
U
Thank you for sharing that story from your memory bank Ursula. It is indeed important to be comfortable when walking. Choosing the right boots is much more important than the socks.
DeleteI used to walk with family when I was young and then with a close friend when I was a young man. We would often walk for ages with never a word. We didn't need to talk: we knew each other too well. Now I generally walk alone.
ReplyDeleteI think that men are invariably better at being silent than women.
DeleteI too am a person who is comfortable with my own company but I am also lucky to have a trio of friends who have shared the last 36 years of child raising and all the joys and sadness life brings. We might only meet 5 or 6 times a year but it is so nourishing when we do. As with your friend Tony, there is a fundamental honesty and no need to score points or prove ourselves. Just a time of sharing and caring.
ReplyDeleteI have just spent 5 days and over 2000km with my English son in law's mother and grandmother touring NZ's great southern lakes. No Moa surprise but lots of sand flies. There's no better way to get to know someone than seeing how they deal with missing a plane connection on the last day! Some stunning scenery through the Lindis Pass made up for the extra 483km drive back from Queenstown to Christchurch and we laughed most of the way, anticipating the telling off we would get from the children expecting to meet our plane.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos.
It sounds like you got on well with the mother and grandmother Adele. Those five days could have been hellish. I hope you didn't tell any dirty jokes.
DeleteI, too, prefer to walk alone, but sometimes it is nice to walk with someone else. Your friendship with Tony is something to be treasured and it is clear that you do.
ReplyDeleteYou captured some beautiful scenes here.
Thanks for your kind comment Jenny.
DeleteHow precious these long, long friendships are. Everyone should have a Tony or two in their lives.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am a pretty private person so the few real friendships I have are all the more precious.
DeleteI used to walk much with my mother and a passel of her grands. I can remember vividly a scene fifty years ago, when my young niece opined when we were returned, "Too much walk, walk, walk"!
ReplyDeleteI have come across people who grin ironically when they learn that I love walking... as if querying the very idea that walking can be enjoyable!
DeleteI wrote a long comment on how being vest man again is testament to a very good friendship.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where that comment went but congratulations (again) to Tony and to you
Oops, it was there all along
DeleteDon't worry Kylie! Even doulas can have mental aberrations!
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