Route Walk: April 2014

Ladybird and butterfly enjoy a warm spot.

WELL, what a start to the day. The sun was shining, there was a gentle breeze and a leisurely calmness that made you feel all was well with the world. I felt like bursting into song. You know, something along the lines of ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ – but then remembered it had already been done! Just as well, really. Would hate to have upset anyone’s serene Sunday.

I adopted a more random ‘go where my legs took me’ approach at the weekend, so set off without having any clear plan. Knowing the distance, or how long it takes, can be helpful, especially if you’re pushed for time. But sometimes, leaving your walk to chance, rather than following a prescribed route, can be fun. You can surprise yourself. (I know, I know - so easily pleased!).

I love the marks on the fallen tree trunk -
like some kind of primeval art or writing.

I was not disappointed. I found myself making my way to a nearby village and back. There was a lovely spring feel to the morning and splashes of colour from the various blossoms en route. A real delight for the senses. Obviously, the daffs are still dazzling with their vibrant yellow, but there were also vivid tulips and numerous other flowers, especially eye-catching forget-me-nots clustered beneath the hedgerow, their beautiful pale blue piercing the shade.

On my return, I took a path through a small woods, partly because that’s where I ended up going, but also because I fancied the slightly uneven ground – adds variety after pounding the smooth surfaces of pavements and roadways.

Here there was even more delight. I have a favourite log in the woods (actually, the trunk of a felled tree – told you I was easily pleased!), where all sorts of things happen. There’s the pattern and texture of the trunk itself, the character of which is gradually changing through the seasons; the insects that inhabit the many crevices in this mini metropolis, and the plant life that invades and retreats at various times of the year.

On this occasion, there were various insects out for their ‘early morning stroll,’ but also a variety of butterflies in the vicinity, including Peacocks with their distinctive eyespots; Orange Tips, with the male displaying its colourful wings like flames flickering through the greenery; a Tortoiseshell, making a brief visit and a yellow-winged butterfly that flitted through the airspace and into the distance.