How sweet the rain is when it falls down on to parched ground!
Like many, I love the smell of rain on the dry, cracked, dusty earth as it teases the ground, gently dampening it without being quite enough to sink in. Gradually the fusty, dusty air is washed through, releasing a smell that fabric conditioner manufacturers could never dare hope to replicate, no matter how much money they spend.
The birds seem to sing more loudly, as if they too are being refreshed in body and soul. To be honest I have absolutely no idea how they might be affected by the rain after a prolonged period of none. Do they equate rain with more insect life, more seeds to be produced? Are they aware of time in that sense? A very human characteristic (or maybe it's just me?) is to think of animals in an anthropomorphic way, to transfer our very behaviours, thoughts and beliefs on to the wildlife around. So I do enjoy indulging in thinking they enjoy this respite as much as me. I imagine the blackbirds in my garden bustling around, their feathers getting damp but them enjoying the freshness as they preen and clean their plumage to resume their sleek attire before feasting on a bounty newly released.
Can you remember that feeling, that joy when you take those barefoot steps out onto the grass, caressing your toes, your feet, tickling your ankles if it's long enough. That coolness, creeping, rejuvenating through and into your soles (and your soul?). Even on my last walk out in the Wolds I experienced a little of this, walking in the dew soddened grass, but rain is just that bit different to me, delicious but in a different way.
When you actually look at the rain, the tiny beads, the fat drops, the clinging pearls from the tip of birch leaves. Perfect forms with contorted, reflected images of our world.
Now, thinking about the weekend, I wonder what the weather will hold. I want to get out and walk, maybe have an overnight camp. The rain, if it does, wont impact this, but trying to get a grip on what the weather might do is a popular past time, or at least stereotype, for the average UK Joe. But being more connected with the outside I think it is only natural to want to understand, predict and then to be equipped. The weather patterns in the UK have seemed a little out of kilter to me, having just had the warmest April in Yorkshire since 1659, and the driest April for more than an hundred years. What will the late Spring and Summer months hold?
The birds seem to sing more loudly, as if they too are being refreshed in body and soul. To be honest I have absolutely no idea how they might be affected by the rain after a prolonged period of none. Do they equate rain with more insect life, more seeds to be produced? Are they aware of time in that sense? A very human characteristic (or maybe it's just me?) is to think of animals in an anthropomorphic way, to transfer our very behaviours, thoughts and beliefs on to the wildlife around. So I do enjoy indulging in thinking they enjoy this respite as much as me. I imagine the blackbirds in my garden bustling around, their feathers getting damp but them enjoying the freshness as they preen and clean their plumage to resume their sleek attire before feasting on a bounty newly released.
Can you remember that feeling, that joy when you take those barefoot steps out onto the grass, caressing your toes, your feet, tickling your ankles if it's long enough. That coolness, creeping, rejuvenating through and into your soles (and your soul?). Even on my last walk out in the Wolds I experienced a little of this, walking in the dew soddened grass, but rain is just that bit different to me, delicious but in a different way.
When you actually look at the rain, the tiny beads, the fat drops, the clinging pearls from the tip of birch leaves. Perfect forms with contorted, reflected images of our world.
Now, thinking about the weekend, I wonder what the weather will hold. I want to get out and walk, maybe have an overnight camp. The rain, if it does, wont impact this, but trying to get a grip on what the weather might do is a popular past time, or at least stereotype, for the average UK Joe. But being more connected with the outside I think it is only natural to want to understand, predict and then to be equipped. The weather patterns in the UK have seemed a little out of kilter to me, having just had the warmest April in Yorkshire since 1659, and the driest April for more than an hundred years. What will the late Spring and Summer months hold?
Lovely writing really enjoyed reading. There is something special about the smell of rain after a long dry period. Magical even.
ReplyDeleteOn another note WOS had it's average rain fall for April even although it was dry and fine at the end. So I was told
Thanks Tookie!
ReplyDeleteSeeing what's been happening around Torridon has been mind boggling, the night photography reminiscent of lava fields pouring from a volcano. A staggering sight.
We certainly need some rain round here!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see someone enjoying simple pleasures! I have just been standing below a rain soaked woodland canopy in the twilight, such an enjoyable sensation after this springs hot weather. I hope your weekend adventure goes well for you.
ReplyDelete"Gradually the fusty, dusty air is washed through, releasing a smell that fabric conditioner manufacturers could never dare hope to replicate, no matter how much money they spend" - ain't that the truth!
ReplyDeleteGreat writing Helen, keep it coming.
Robert, It didn't last as long as I hoped! But I think the land had a bit of a drink this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Trail Guy! It was great to read about your trip out, there's something a little comforting about hearing that noise on your tent (if you know it's waterproof!). I love to hear the wind rush from the pressure under the clouds as the rain comes towards you - something to thank my sailing experience for that awareness!
ReplyDeleteOwl, why thank you! That sounds a beautiful experience! It is a lovely gift to take life in its moments rather than waiting for 'big' or 'significant' experiences.
ReplyDeleteJoe, thanks! It wasn't really anything to do with backpacking, other than for me, backpacking gives me opportunity to string lots of experiences like this into one contiguous experience! Ta!
ReplyDelete