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| Pea field and sky in Lincolnshire |
The wise and all-seeing British government, led by "The Science", has loosened the shackles of the lockdown. One of the things they have decided is that citizens can now travel as far as they wish to to take exercise. There's no sleeping away from home but you may go as far as you want.
The logic behind this change defeats me but I am not complaining. The new rule kicked in on Wednesday so yesterday I travelled quite far in order to undertake a ten mile walk in the Lincolnshire countryside.
Clint carried me along the M18 motorway, thence the M180 motorway which we left at Junction 4. Then we headed a few miles down the old Roman road - Ermine Street until I saw the sign for Redbourne.
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| "The Red Lion" and the old fire station in Redbourne |
The village was just as I had seen it in Google Streetview and now I was there - inside Google Streetview! I left Clint with some ducks under sycamore shade before my May ramble began.
"I hope they don't crap on me!" grumbled Clint.
What a delightful village Redbourne is! A variety of houses, the site of an old castle, a grand manor house, a village pond and a coaching inn called "The Red Lion". The archetypal English village. No litter, no graffiti, neatly trimmed verges, a carved village sign and there was even a freshly painted red telephone kiosk - though it contained no telephone.
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| Below a rookery in Redbourne |
My walk was mostly across agricultural land, criss-crossed with drainage channels. In a vast field of sprouting peas I doubt that there was a single weed. That's how arable farming is these days. Led by "The Science" all threats to the crop are eliminated. How I would have loved to walk across that landscape a hundred years ago. Nature would have worn a very different coat.
Near the imaginatively named Catchwater Drain I stopped suddenly in my tracks. There ahead was a wild creature - a beautiful brown hare. Wishing to shoot it, I reached slowly for my gun camera. A minute later it was not me who spooked him/her - it was a pair of ducks rising from the drain. It cannot be easy for hares to survive in such territory. It was a rare privilege to watch this wonderful animal.
Halfway through the walk, I reached another charming village - Waddingham. There was an inviting bench by the sunny south wall of St Mary and St Peter's Church. I sat there and ate a bag of cheeseburger flavoured crisps and a banana - washed down with Sheffield water from my steel flask. I felt contented in a zen way as I frequently do when out walking in the countryside.
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| St Mary and St Peter's Church, Waddingham |
Four and a half hours after leaving Clint with the ducks, I was back in Redbourne and soon we were ready to drive home - taking a short detour to two other Lincolnshire villages - Hibaldstow and Scawby before hitting the M180 motorway again:-
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Are you sure you did not accidentally step into a UK version of The Truman Show? The villages sound almost like having been set up for TV. Good to know such idyllic places still exist.
ReplyDeleteThe encounter with the hare was indeed a privilege. It reminds me of the encounters with deer, a snake and other animals during last week's hikes in the Black Forest.
And last but not least - did Clint and the ducks get along?
The ducks did not leave a special "present" on his bonnet if that is what you mean Meike.
DeleteSo you're a Steppenwolf fan YP? We can't go further than five kilometres here in Oireland. Love the church yard photos.
ReplyDeleteTo me the Irish travel restriction sounds more logical. By the way when I was 16-18 years old I used to sing "Born to be Wild" with my group - called Village.
DeleteThat was some walk. It is good to know that there are still pockets of Ye Olde England left.
ReplyDeleteAnd this Ye Olde England was not in black or white or sepia. It was in full colour.
DeleteThe people of Waddingham might object to the title of this post.
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't get poisoned pen letters from Waddingham!
DeleteLovely photos, a wonderful way to start off my day. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe have tons of hares around here. It's mating season right now so they're busy chasing each other and fighting each other. Drives our beagle crazy because she was originally bred to hunt rabbits. I have explained to her that hares are not rabbits but she doesn't seem to care. Not to mention her heart would probably give out before she caught one of the hares.
Stay safe my friend.
Thanks for calling by again Lily. Happy nursing!
DeleteYou didn't call round for a cup of tea then? We are planning to cycle to Waddingham on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI would have called round but there's something happening called "lockdown". You may or may not have heard of it. Also, I don't know your address.
DeleteYou are a wild man, Mr. P.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely a wild man!
Yup! Born to be wild baby.
DeleteI heard a radio programme not long ago about illegal hare coursing in Lincolnshire. Hares are chased by dogs to the death, regarded as a sport by the evil toerags that travel miles to the county for the purpose. The police were out around dawn looking for suspicious vehicles containing the dogs parked in gateways. Although I suspect they have been otherwise occupied lately.
ReplyDeleteLets hope the hares have had a month or two off.
They are ignorant men. How on earth anybody could derive pleasure from such activity is way beyond my powers of thinking.
DeleteYou are Born To Be Wild!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful walk! I'm so happy to hear your freedom is returning. You chose a magical area in which to walk! I love the hare too.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was virgin territory Bonnie. It is always stimulating to be somewhere new.
DeleteI remember going to a party in a large barn when I was about 15 or 16. This song came on and people were throwing up hay up in the air with strobe lights the only lights on. Good times in rural Indiana. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteLike a true nature's child you were born, born to be wild Brenda.
DeleteHunting as a sport is a hideous pastime in whatever guise.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a cracking photo of the hare.
That is the best picture of a hare I have ever taken Graham. Usually they are off if you you twitch a finger.
DeleteWhere I live (so close to the coast you find yourself sailing inadvertently) ducks aren't a problem (unless you want to procure one for the oven). Nay, seagulls are your bombers. I shan't mention pigeons because they are only small. And they don't mean it. Sometimes, on leaving the house, faced with an herd of seagulls I feel like an extra in Hitch Shock's "Birds". Not, of course, that I let on.
ReplyDeleteI take it you wash Clint yourself; however, you may be interested that here, on the South Coast, car washes have been deemed "essential", and therefore open for business, even during deepest lock down. Business is good. The Angel (my son) contemplating taking his car (he hasn't given it a name) for a scrub.
Yes, the easing of lockdown now means one doesn't have to concoct stories and a reason why one finds oneself miles away from home, on some deserted beach or in the New Forest.
U
Perhaps The Angel could call his car Gabriel for obvious reasons... or possibly Robbie Williams who had a hit with a song called "Angel". I am sure you are familiar with that song and probably sing it when you are wearing your yellow "Marigolds" - undertaking domestic cleaning duties.
DeleteI am truly enjoying your blog as it is proving to be a regular Travelogue for me ... letting me travel via YOU, to places I will never see except on my computer! Thank you for being a most gracious host!! :)
ReplyDeleteYour pictures and descriptions are wonderful!
You are welcome to walk with me any time Marcia. Next time please bring a rug and a picnic hamper. We will keep off "la rue" because of the traffic.
DeleteThank you, YP. I'll have to bring a camp or lawn chair ... rugs are out for me ... too old to be sitting on the ground as I wouldn't be able to get back up! LOL
DeleteI LOVE your photo of the hare! I don't think I've never seen a hare. In fact, the places I walk, it's rare to even see a rabbit because there are usually lots of dogs around. So great to hear you can resume your longer walks. I'm sure you're happy and relieved too! I'll also try walking farther afield but it's tough because I'd have to use public transportation.
ReplyDeleteI am very lucky in the respect that I have a car (i.e. Clint) who can take me far away. I always value praise from you when you single out photos. Thanks Steve.
DeleteI love the picture of the hare! What a wild and wonderful creature. Ten miles is a LONG walk, Neil, but as usual you had lovely landscapes to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt was easy walking Jennifer. No hills to speak of -jut the mound on which that church sits.
DeleteI have gone with you on sooooo many walks in the past years that I can't believe that you (and, therefore, I) are still discovering new and wonderful places. Amazing! The hare looks so frightened. What a terrible lifespan to have watch out for and then to flee predators every second of your life.
ReplyDeleteThere would have been more hares and more places to hide in the past - before agriculture became as efficient as a Japanese electronics factory. Thanks for joining me on my walk Mama Thyme. I hope you enjoyed the cheeseburger chips (crisps) when we were sitting by the church in Waddingham. And I enjoyed your rendition of "Joe Hill".
DeleteRedbourne is certainly very clean and neat. Nice walk. So there was no one else on the trail besides you and the bunny?
ReplyDeleteI saw two other walkers - probably local. The woman was jabbering away on her mobile phone - disturbing the peace.
Delete...and ignoring the peace.
DeleteMy father had opportunity to visit London in the early fifties, and commented to all who would hear that the country was immaculately clean. Little has changed, it seems.
ReplyDeleteIn urban areas I am afraid that that is not always the case Joanne.
DeleteI love the hare, it's a shot of a lifetime! and the perspective on the church seems an unusual choice for you but it's really good, interesting.
ReplyDeletelittle by little, we are developing the new normal and i'm glad you can now travel for your walks
I am pleased with that quirky picture of the old church Kylie. Thanks for commenting upon it.
DeleteWonderful capture of the hare. I approve of THAT kind of shooting.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that that picture passed the O'Hara test.
DeleteInteresting to read your account of an area I know well. Thanks.
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