Time to Stop and Stare

 

 

“What is this life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare

No time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows

No time to see when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass

No time to see in broad daylight, streams full of stars, like skies at night

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance, and watch her feet, how they can dance

No time to wait til her mouth can, enrich the smile her eyes began

A poor life this is, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare”

William Henry Davies

At last, a couple of days holiday from work.  Holidays that I haven’t had time to use because it’s been so busy.  Early mornings, late nights.  No time to do anything else.  A treadmill of work, home, eat, bed, work.  A never ending cycle.  I enjoy my job but I was in desperate need of a break.  I was grateful to get off the treadmill, at least for a couple of days.  Time to de-clutter my home and my mind.  Time to reflect, time to write.

I walked with the dogs along Victoria Road, towards the Pinewoods and the Beach.  We saw a squirrel on top of a high wall who looked at us for a few seconds before disappearing up a tree.  Almost as though he had stopped to say “hello”.  A fine looking little chap with deep chestnut colouring and a pure white patch on his chest.  If he had been able to smile I would guess it would be a cheeky one, a grin.  We didn’t go to the beach today or take our usual route along the clover path through the Gypsy Wood but turned left along the squirrel walk.  I don’t usually venture this way as it’s popular with tourists who are hoping to catch a glimpse of the squirrels. It’s too busy most of the time with families, dogs, and it stresses William dog if there are too many other dogs around.  The families that visit are usually disappointed looking for the squirrels as they don’t know where to look and squirrels don’t venture out that much during the noisy times.  The best time to catch them is at dusk or early morning before the busyness of the day.   Not busy today, everyone is in work and the woods are still and quiet.  Just a gentle breeze whistling through the trees accompanied by a few squawks and tweets of the birds.  A few people around but mainly those wanting the fresh air, the stillness and quiet like myself.  A man with a zoom lens camera trying to catch a shot of the wildlife. 

Squirrels galore! Running up and down trees, jumping from branch to branch.  Enjoying the spring sunshine.  The leaves are still not out on the trees so the only camouflage are the pine trees.  If you know where to look they are easy to see.  There is no point looking at the ground, you need to look up into the air, to the tops of the trees, towards the sky to see the most amazing things.  There is an interesting world living right above us.    I saw the Magpies and feared for the squirrels as they chase them.  Blackbirds, crows, wood pigeons, starlings and even tiny little finches.  The birds are migrating back.  Then I remembered that I haven’t heard the geese, they’ve moved on, now that spring is on the doorstep.

We continued through the woods catching sight of rabbits skipping between the trees and shrubs.  No sign of the fox this morning, I wondered if she had any more babies in her Den this year.  They’ll be kept hidden until they are old enough to hunt for themselves.  The spring flowers now out in abundance, daffodils, snowdrops, and narcissus. Fighting their way through the remaining debris, pine cones and leaves that winter had left behind.  No snow this year, I missed walking in the woods in the snow but was grateful for not having to drive to work in it.

We continue through the woods,  out into the clearing and turn right along the path that goes past the asparagus farm and just enjoy wandering along on this beautiful spring morning.  It crossed my mind that I was walking along through the woods and no-one around, but I can honestly say that it is not a place that I have ever felt unsafe.  A man and woman appear coming towards me in the opposite direction.  They have a young dog with them, a Border Terrier Cross like William and we stop and chat for a few minutes talking about the breed and their temperament.  A loving dog, that’s’ wilful, can never be let off the lead, totally untrainable, but loyal and faithful.  So many times I had to dig William out of rabbit holes when he was younger, knee deep in nettles, terrified he would get stuck down a rabbit hole or even worse catch a rabbit.  He can only be lead walked now.  Even more so now that he is getting on in years and his eyesight isn’t what it used to be. Penny is the opposite, never wanders far, a little sweetheart, the only thing she likes to chase is a ball.  William on the other hand is a” little git”, too clever for his own good, but he’s my “little git.”  We carry on along our way, admiring the newly erected wood sculptures and then back down past the front of the asparagus farm towards Larkhill Lane.  An elderly man and lady pass me with arms full of daffodil and I wonder why they have picked them.  They are in full bloom so would be dead in a couple of days if they are in a vase so why not leave them where they are to dance in the breeze and for everyone to enjoy them.  If everyone picked the flowers as they walked along, there would be no flowers and I felt annoyed with them for being so selfish.  Perhaps they had a reason, some tale from the past, where the daffodils were of significance to them, I shouldn’t judge.  Everyone has their own tale.

I wonder about the asparagus farm and think of how it was planted just after the war and has now been rejuvenated to produce high quality asparagus.  Such history in such a small place. Now time to make my way home, feeling rejuvenated and pass the people exercising their dogs on the field.  No such joy of chasing a ball of the leash for William.  Too many rabbits for him to chase here.   We make our way home, tired and happy, refreshed and glad to appreciate this lovely  pre-spring morning.

Black dog or not

Sometimes when you walk through the woods, along the Fisherman's Path,  on the way to the dunes, after crossing the golf course, it feels a little eerie. Early morning or at dusk, the light shining or fading through the trees, the stillness, the birds start to roost or just waking.  Sometimes, you get the feeling of not being alone, but not surprising as it's a popular place to walk.  Also there are many rabbits, squirrels and foxes about.

 It's a different type of feeling, a feeling that there is someone or something there, a shiver running down your spine.  There is a sound of a twig breaking underfoot, footsteps, and William dog gets a little spooked.  Rabbits and squirrels making the most of the peace before or after the usual times for the dog walkers, cyclists and families making their way to the beach.  No one else to be seen.  There are many tales of a large black dog.  Some recount the tale of a dog who was still waiting for his master who never returned from a fishing trip.  Others tell of a huge black dog with demonic red eyes., supposedly to bring misfortune if you see them.  Others relate this to the Viking History, Nordic Invaders who were called "black dogs" by the locals.

These tales weren't at the forefront of my mind when I was driving to work along Timms Lane.  I saw what looked like a strangely larger than usual, Black Labrador towards the top of the road. My first thought was that it was a lost dog and as I got closer, in the blink of an eye, it was gone.

Was it a trick of the early morning light?  I know there is a family with a couple of Newfoundlands nearby, had one escaped and then gone back home? They are not usually dogs that move so quickly or quietly, surely I would have noticed where such a large dog would have gone. The rational part of my brain kicked in, explaining the strange experience.

Or had I encountered the famous ghostly being..........................
(Glad I didn't see it's eyes if it was)!

My New Friend Alex

My New Friend Alex.

Today I met a new friend. His name is Alex. I was taking the train to attend for a minor medical procedure which meant I couldn't drive afterwards. Standing on the station platform I observed a man talking to a woman. He was carrying a sports hold all and a guitar in a well worn guitar bag. The woman hurried along the platform, it appeared that she wanted to get away from him and I noticed that he seemed to have a disability, probably some learning disability.

As the train approached, he turned around to me, grinning, showing his uneven teeth. He was wearing the green fleece jacket uniform worn by the rangers. I smiled at him and said "morning". I boarded the train and went into an empty carriage apart from another person. A man wearing a suit who was more than likely on his way to work.

The man in the green jacket, and the guitar, boarded the train and sat next to me, even though there were many empty seats. I thought to myself "I always attract them".

"Hello, my name is Alex, what's your name?" he said. Speaking quickly and grinning from ear to ear. He spoke so fast as though he couldn't contain his excitement and the words would come out quick enough. "Hello, my name is Audrey" I replied and he shook my hand enthusiastically. I asked him if he played the guitar, and he told me that he had learned to play when he left school, which was for people with learning disabilities. He told me he could play three Everley Brothers songs and asked if I knew how to play the guitar. I told him that I did try to learn but it hurt my fingers and I could play the piano. When I told him I wasn't that good and he could probably play guitar far better than I could play piano, he laughed and grinned from ear to ear. The conversation continued. He was working as a volunteer for the National Trust with the Rangers, telling me he worked in the Forest and he would give the other workers a song after lunch. I would imagine that Alex would be a joy to have around the workplace. He was so enthusiastic about going to work. He oozed happiness.

We chatted for only about 10 minutes as he needed to get off the train at the next stop. He shook my hand to say goodbye and kissed me on each hand before leaving the train, unable to hide his happiness at meeting a new friend and having the opportunity to go to work.

Tears pricked my eyes, observing how the simple things had made him so happy and also at my own guilt for my feelings of fear. If only everyone viewed the world as Alex does. No barriers, he had not judged me as I had judged him. To see the person, the ability and not the disability.

Night Before Christmas Alternative

Night Before Christmas Alternative

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse"

'Twas the night before Christmas and we went to the pub
To have a few beers and plenty of grub

'Twas the night before Christmas and they were coming back
From fighting in Afghanistan and duty in  Iraq

'Twas the night before Christmas and we went to sing
Carols in Church and to hear the bells ring

'Twas the night before Christmas just me and you
Warm by the fire with our dinner for two

'Twas the night before Christmas with the children in bed
Listening for sleigh bells  and a big man in red

'Twas the night before Christmas and she was alone
No friends or family to call her own

'Twas the night before Christmas and he was so cold
A night on the streets is no place for the old

'Twas the night before Christmas and she knocked on the door
Come share our meal we have plenty more

'Twas the night before Christmas no longer alone
Invited to share some one else's home

'Twas the night before Christmas and he made him warm
A thick coat and soup kept him from harm

On the night before Christmas remember the needy
Rise above glutton and not be greedy
The reward for giving is far greater to see
To help others means more to you and to me

Audrey Cushion

Riding along on the crest of a wave.

"Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave (and the sun is in the sky)"




So, it was the holiday we had waited almost a year for. Not the first cruise but the first one sailing from Southampton. On board the Oceana and after a couple of rough days through the Bay of Biscay we arrived at Funchal, Madeira just before dawn. What a sight from our cabin window. The island looked like a glorious, giant, fat, Christmas tree, lit up against the pre dawn sky. The sun rose into a beautiful cloudless sky an we were off to experience the delights of this pretty island. The standard ride on the cable car taking in the botanic gardens with giant angel trumpet plants, beautiful, but deadly if ingested, and the ride down on the toboggan.
"Scream if you want to go faster"
More sightseeing and then finishing off with the obligatory wine tasting at Blandy's. More of a brandy than a wine but it certainly had a kick to it.
Back on the ship, playing posh, dressing for dinner. Excellent cuisine and enjoying the evening entertainment of a fairly decent Beatles tribute band and a "resident" band at our favourite hang out the "Yacht and Compass".
We arrived at La Palma the following lunchtime, in the wake of a storm. All tourists were confined to the port of Santa Cruz as the island was on yellow alert for landslides. We wandered around the town enjoying the Canarian sunshine and this relatively unspoilt and quiet resort against the backdrop of the volcanic landscape. The mist was gathering over then mountains so we returned to the ship and sat on deck watching the clouds gather with the distant roar of thunder, waiting to see the spectacular flashes of lighting across the top ridges of the volcanoes.
We set sail again on our way to sunny Gran Canaria. A old farmer from Wiltshire and an old farmer from Cornwall were amongst our travelling companions. Both enjoying a few too many gin and tonics by the pool, by the looks of things. Wrinkled from years of working outdoors and brown from the sun. They were always arguing about who knew the most about tractors (yes, honestly). Saying they were born on a tractor and such like, trying to out do one another. The Wiltshire farmer, looking for some additional support, (and more drunk than the other), turned to me and said "tell im you got a combine 'arverstor, ask 'im if 'es got one" I laughed at this bizarre request and told him there wasn't much call for combine harvesters in Liverpool, at which point they both burst out laughing saying something about Liverpool people always having an answer. I honestly didn't think it was that funny!
The visits to Gran Canaria and Lanzarote reminded me of how much I like these, fascinating, weird, volcanic islands with their farms reliant on the lava ash to retain moisture, aloe vera, cactus and permanent warm climate. We sat in the beach in Arricefe and of course two minutes later I was paddling in the Atlantic Ocean feeling the sand between my toes and the cool water of the waves lapping against my ankles before soaking the bottom of my skirt. I looked like a typical Brit abroad, but I didn't care, I had to make sure I enjoyed that feeling before we set sail again.
Sitting on the beach, watching the waves, I noticed something different, concentrating hard I tried to see what it was. Then, I realised, plop, plop, plop. It was dolphins, jumping, their distinctive arched jumps and black against the steel blue sea. This made my whole trip worthwhile. A wonderful sight to see them so close, but far enough away to enjoy their natural environment. No camera, no pictures but a sight I always treasure, whenever I have had the privilege to see theses amazing creatures.
Sailing to Lisbon we were treated to this wonderful sight a number if times. I suppose it was highly entertaining for others when I was in the pool and the captain announced a sighting on the starboard site. I shot out if the pool, like A rocket, dripping wet and ran to the side of the ship to see them.
The dolphins came quite close to the ship, putting on their own show then disappearing off into the ocean wilderness that is home. Anyone seeing how fast they swim, how high they jump and how far they travel would realise how wrong it is to coop them up in a man made pool with no where to go. It is like sending them to prison and locking them in a tiny cell. Swimming with dolphins is OK if they are in the ocean and choose to make friends before going on their merry, lively way but never in a man made marina.
We were due to sail into Lisbon just after dawn. We set the alarm and went to the front of ship to see the magnificent sight of bridge over the river Tagus and the sun rising behind the statue of Jesus. Lisbon didn't disappoint us with its magnificent buildings, churches, and tuc tuc taxis.
We sailed back to Southampton with the Bay of Biscay unnaturally calm. Waves taking on a herringbone pattern and many sightings of dolphins. There was a rumour of a whale sighting, but this was unconfirmed, although they are often seen around the Bay of Biscay. I am sure if they wanted to be see I would have seen them.

Glamping not Camping

Glamping not Camping

The end of the summer, nights starting to get gradually darker but still light enough to enjoy those last few hours of evening sunshine.  There is something about crossing the border, that fills you with the feeling of a different place. The landscape becomes more rugged and natural,  Galloway Hills and Forest,  a sense of calm coupled with excitement and a weird sense of belonging.

We decided to follow some of the Burns trail. Camping on the shores of the Solway Firth so that we could follow some of the path of Scotland's famous son.  See at first hand the inspiration for some of his works.  Wordsworth had the Lake District and Burns had Dumfries and Galloway.

Bats

Bats

It's dusk, the heat of the day has brought out the midges which are hovering under the trees in hundreds, if not thousands. Drawn to the house by the lighted room. The doors and windows need to be closed over to stop them coming in.

Then , there they were, one or two at first, flying, fluttering like a small bird, between the house and the trees. Moving quickly, silently, but disturbing the evening air and trees with their movement, never still long enough to examine them closely, or take a photograph. Enjoying their evening feast.

Where do they live during the day? Who knows what neighbours we have in our trees. Hidden by the leaves during daylight. Coming to life in the warm evening air as the sun sets and the world starts to fall silent.