My Inspiration

Last night I caught sight of a short discussion on Twitter where a couple of my friends were commenting on the TGO magazine content, that there wasn't much in the way of coverage non 'pointy bits' walks. It was added to with passionate description of walking on wild moorlands, forests, through arable lands with wide open spaces and skies.

During the day I had been wrestling with something in my mind and I needed release. I had planned to go into the Peak District but the proximity of people and the familiarity with the hills just put me off. I felt dissatisfied and anxious. I set off in my car for the opposite direction towards Sherwood Forest but again felt that dissatisfaction and 'angst' of wanting to spread my wings but feeling confined. It was as much about some personal circumstances for me as to the available countryside. I turned the car around and came home.

So reading that discourse was useful to me. It reframed different environments for me, helped me value what is available on my doorstep and so I set off this morning for a short 5 mile walk around Clumber Park.

My enjoyment of the countryside is not limited to mountains. I have been lucky enough to walk in Alpine environments (though not for some time; I will rectify this soon I hope), as well as the flat lands of Norfolk. I remember walking with a partner in Thetford Forest, maybe 15 years ago. We had kit for an overnighter and came across a load of soldiers on exercise. They laughed at us two and said "We get paid to do that" (ironic as I almost joined the Army out of University), but they also took the time to point out a very idyllic spot to camp, next to a deep pool, surrounded with mixed deciduous and coniferous forest. For some reason the slug I found in my boot the next morning really sticks out in my memory but I will never forget that weekend...

I positively enjoy walking in valleys, woods, classic English arable countryside as well as higher places. They each have something very valid to offer my soul. The walk this morning in Clumber salved my soul, too. I wasn't especially early; got there about 9. But I wasn't bombarded by hoardes of people (as I imagined in the Peaks) and largely walked in areas less frequented by others. The scenery consists of manicured parklands as well as heath, plantations, old deciduous woodland and the famous avenue of Lime trees. With a bit of planning I walked for about two hours and saw just a handful of people, most just out for an early Sunday morning stroll, unhurried, no agenda, just there for pure enjoyment. Isn't this what it's about? An elderly couple passed me and looked in amusement as I could barely wrestle away my attention from the jewel like Yew berries to say hello. I had such fun listening to the crunching sound of beech nuts and leaves underfoot as I kicked and stomped through them! I enjoyed one potentially boring, dead straight walk towards a plantation, where I saw a Jay bathing in a sunlit pool. It wasn't keen on being disturbed and the raucous hack it gave clearly showed that. I saw plump, furry squirrels up close. Canadian Geese, Berwick Swans, listened to woodpeckers, noticed the light cast through the leaves. Woodland fascinates me. I remember watching as a kid and then a few years ago reading, BB's 'Brendon Chase'. The idea of running away and living in the woods in a log cabin is still one of my dreams!


When I go to the hills I do it for pure enjoyment too. I feel exhuberant about the sensations I find there, maybe in a slightly different scale, but often the detail on high is just as relevant to me as down low. They all have their own qualities. Different birdlife, trees, shrubs and plants. Different geology. Different sounds and smells. The walking surface is different.

I could have gone to the Peaks and found lesser frequented areas, but I think it did me good to do something a bit different for me and to go and kick fallen leaves around and enjoy the vibrant colours still found in the woods.