“Go on! Challenge yourself. You can do it!”
I look doubtful.
“Well, I challenge you to go work in a different way. Why not walk?” She smiles sweetly.
Those were the words of my friend who spends a lot of time walking by herself.
“It’s my thinking time,” she says, “it’s when my best ideas happen.”
My car is in the garage being fixed, we arranged the first parent and child group since Lockdown. I have no other way of getting to the Woods. So, I am somewhat hesitantly packing my rucksack and debating with myself whether I need to take a coat.
The walk starts off downhill, following the Cornish lane that I have come to know very well: past the oak tree, a quick chat to the horses, round the corner, a brief check on the alpacas and then down into the valley.
The river Lynher is flowing steadily, babbling, not rushing, taking its time and doing its thing. My path now takes me uphill. Halfway up, I’m heralded by a crow, announcing my journey up the deserted road. A magpie then calls, warning others that a stranger is nearing, be aware, be aware it, seems to call.
I’m suddenly struck by the sweet, heady smell of honeysuckle. I look around searching for the source of the beautiful fragrance. It’s then that I notice the colour of the flowers in the hedges, predominantly pink and purple. Vetch, red clover, thistle, rosebay willowherb, foxglove, ragged robin… abound.
A red admiral butterfly now joins me on my walk, dancing joyfully beside me. As I climb the hill, the wind begins to rise. A distinctive rustling comes as it moves the gigantic stalks of maize. It changes sound as it moves the leaves of the wayside beech tree.
The road flattens and I realise I am being watched. Hundreds of pairs of eyes from a huge flock of sheep stare, curious, as I walk past.
A car passes with passengers waving. It’s one of the families driving to the Woods. The children are excited, expectantly looking forwards to being back at Wyld Thyngz.
I arrive at the Woods with a handful of images and thoughts, feeling alive and part of the world. I’d lived and experienced my journey, not merely driven through it, cocooned in a box. So, I now challenge you. Go on, you can do it, walk to work… and back again!