As you already know from my previous post, we had quite a change in temperature and weather as March ended and April began. Like many of you, I follow the forecast closely, as my after-work walks depend on knowing what to expect and dress accordingly.
Therefore, I knew last week Tuesday (March 29) was my last chance for a nice long walk after work. One of the nice things about working from home is that I am largely able to begin and end work as and when it suits me, especially on days when I do not have many meetings or calls with clients. This was the case that day, and so I left the house early, took the local train to Marbach and went once more on that favourite walk I used to do with my Mum - the same one I told you about in this post earlier this month.
Unlike that day, though, with the recent change to summer time, I could now easily fit in the extra tour including my favourite grassy path and the woods before returning to Marbach and catch a train home.
As you can see, it wasn't the golden kind of afternoon light I have often enjoyed during my March walks. But if you have a close personal relationship to a place, you love it no matter how grey the sky is.
Shortly before I arrived at the steps in the woods leading to the bottom of the valley, I stopped and listened to the birds for a while. It was an almost magic moment. I made a short recording but can't seem to upload it; does anyone know how to go about it? The file is an .m4a one.
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| I liked the look of this allotment. |
No picture of "my" grassy path this time, I'm afraid; but I did walk there and even sat on the green verge under a tree for a few minutes, to eat the sandwich I had brought along and drink some water.
I covered a bit more than 16 km that afternoon and was home well in time for the main evening news at 8:00. How much I enjoyed this is hard to convey, but I am so glad I went - the rest of the week was not at all walk-friendly.
I've just uploaded a video mP4 file by clicking on the appropriate icon in the compose page toolbar and then dragging or inserting the file.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Graham; I knew that (and have occasionally uploaded videos to my blog in the past). This one is not an .mP4 but an .m4a file (just sound, no images), and whenever I try to upload it, the error message I get is something like "refused by server".
DeleteI did wonder, Meike. Of course it would have helped if I read things properly. I knew that I had done it at some stage many years ago although I haven't found the clip. However I did it (possibly by using a non-movie .mP4 file) it's not easy now because I've just been trawling through Google and whilst it may technically be possible it's certainly not easy nor practical so far as I can see.
DeleteNo need to further investigate, Graham - it's not vital, it just would have been nice to add sound and convey better what it was like that early evening in March in the woods.
DeleteNext time I will simply record a short video with the sound on and upload that.
I just joined you on your evening walk whilst having my breakfast. I did enjoy it. However you've made me feel guilty about not walking. I've been getting lots of exercise and doing my 10,000+ steps a day (well some days!) but not by going for walks in the Castle Grounds but by doing hard labour in the garden. My report card says "Could do better!".
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, you could NOT do better - you have been getting lots of exercise even without walking in the Castle Grounds. But if it helps, consider the Guilt Trip I have inadvertedly caused you as one such walk :-)
DeleteThe March Walks: an evocative phrase: and now we are in April.
ReplyDeleteLike Graham, I feel I am missing out, not being able to stroll in your enchanted woods.
Your afternoon light, enhanced by bird song, is reason enough to be alive.
Last week there was a beautiful sunset, and not a soul on the hill up by University Avenue.
I had the neo-Gothic outline of Glasgow University all to myself, the bell tolling the quarter hour.
Such stillness ! A few days later I listened to French tourists on the same spot.
We have a relationship to places, no matter how grey the skies: well said.
That evening on Gilmorehill campus was greyish, a wee bit misty, but it was *walk friendly* .
Our university was built close to the park, with its big trees and quiet corners.
The great bronze statue of Lord Kelvin sits in splendid solitude.
See online ...
DeleteGlasgow West End Hub: Hillhead and Kelvingrove.
Statue - Lord Kelvin.
The twin towers in the background of Kelvin's statue are Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, across from which I live.
Sir William Thompson (1824-1907) aka Lord Kelvin was professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University.
Lord Kelvin would have strongly approved of Germany's technical colleges which outstripped British science and technology.
Len Deighton covers this in his non-fiction book, *Blood, Tears and Folly*.
Another very interesting detour; thank you, Jack.
DeleteHow nice to live across an art gallery and museum! Do you look at the building from your windows at night and wonder what may be going on in its darkened halls? I always wanted to have myself locked in at Ludwigsburg palace after the last guided tour left, and spend the night there, watching marble statues come alive and portraits on the walls whispering to each other.
The Art Galleries as we call them are illuminated at night by purple lighting.
DeleteMy sisters come up from England (not since lockdown) and think it looks like a Dracula movie.
As a child I was afraid of the Egyptian Room with its mummified body and granite sarcophagus.
A painting in the high Galleries of Salome holding John the Baptist's head (on a silver platter no less) transfixed me as a kid.
Dali's Christ of St. John of the Cross is the must-see painting though his Jesus has no nails on the hands and feet: A gnostic idea.
Spending the night in Ludwigsburg Palace would be fun, every night would feel like Purgatory. I wonder if you and friends could arrange it?
My conversation has far too many detours as a friend remarks.
He said I am like the eponymous character in Saul Bellow's *Humboldt's Gift* who was based on Delmore Schwartz.
Schwartz wrote a great short story: In Dreams Begin Responsibilities.
Spending the night in the palace would be something I'd want to do all alone.
DeleteAnd as for arranging something like that - it would have to be a secret, not something offically permitted to me (with or without friends), that's part of the thrill!
Some days I have to force myself to get out for a walk but I am always so glad when I did! I have a couple of favorite walks too and I never tire of them. Glad you had a nice hike!
ReplyDeleteWhen I don't feel like a walk, I don't go. This is very rarely the case and usually has to do with the weather not being walk-friendly.
DeleteBut I know what you mean about being glad when you go even when at first you were not highly motivated!
It is good to store some of these walks in your head for when you can no longer do them. Even if your memory is not all together accurate in essence you are there.
ReplyDeleteThat is so very true, Pat! On a small scale, I did that with some of my walks in and around Ripon, especially the path from Ripon to Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey. In the three years I have not been able to go there physically, I often covered that walk in my mind.
DeleteI enjoyed sharing your special walk especially with Spring colors bursting out along the way. Something tells me this will always be a special walk for you! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt will, Bonnie. Last year, I made that walk with my sister. It was summer and very hot; I remember how extremely tired I felt when we arrived at a beer garden afterwards - I almost fell asleep at the table!
DeleteA nice walk. Like Weaver says its good to sore them in your head, now that I can no longer cycle I often go over the routes I've done and even feel the hills and climbing. I still follow my friends on Strava and do the same for their routes.
ReplyDeleteI can sit down and read an OS map just as I can a book, and all the learning from school of hills hanging valleys etc is still with me.
That is amazing! I didn't know you could even experience the phyisical sensations of a route. Mine is mostly a visual image, but also scents and sounds.
DeleteYou ask this morning in my comments what I was intnding to do in Ripon. I am very deaf and have recesntly gone private - buying my hearing aids from Hear and Now in Ripon. I am very pleased with them. The price includes several follow up visits and this was to be one of them - so not urgent. As I can no long drive I have a taxi - its a lovely journey and I know the taxi driver well so it is a little outing.
ReplyDeleteThat does indeed sound like a nice outing! Thank you for explaining. I think I know where Hear and Now is; is it at the entrance to the passage leading from the market square to the parking lot?
DeleteIt takes some genuine mental resolve to set off on a long walk after work but clearly the effort was worth it and I suspect that you were invigorated by the exercise. 16km is almost ten miles! Impressive.
ReplyDeleteIt is the perfect activity after work, where I am stuck at a desk and looking at computer screens all day. My mind, my legs, everything just wants to get OUT and walk when the weather is not too nasty for it.
DeleteUnlike you, for walks over 10 km long I need a short rest in between plus something to eat and drink.
Your long walks are an inspiration. We never take such long walks, but even our 1 mile stroll twice a day does us both good (and is essential for George's health).
ReplyDeleteA 1 mile stroll is much, much better than no stroll at all - for humans and dogs alike :-)
DeleteAnd your neighbourhood is beautiful, you even regularly spot deer!