Unusually I got a bit lost while I was out running on Sunday morning. Well, I say unusually, it’s actually quite a common occurrence as navigation certainly isn’t one of my strong points. “The Emma” will quite happily tell you that I never know where I am and although I’ve got better over the years, I’m certainly no Captain Cook. What’s me being lost got to do with anything though, I hear you ask? And why has this week’s exciting blog post started off on such a tangent? Well, whilst being where I shouldn’t have been, I stumbled across a strategically placed information board telling the tale of 3 Spitfire pilots who had come to an unfortunate end in the fields below, during the Second World War. (Link) Pausing to reflect on the loss of 3 brave young men and take in the picturesque view of their last resting place, my thoughts turned to how many of these little placards and information boards there are scattered around our countryside and just how much history there is around us. We notice on a regular basis how every village, no matter how small, has a war memorial marking the sacrifice of their parishioners, but until we take the time to look, we miss the smaller intricacies and history of the countryside around us. I commented in a blog post back in September 2020 about Gilberts story (another unfortunate tale from the First World War) and mentioned in August how easy it is to miss the little things around us, as we tear through life at a million miles an hour, safely enclosed in our steel cocoons. It’s not just memorials to those that fell in the 2 wars that abound in our countryside either. Within a couple of miles of home there’s a plaque commemorating the part the Railway Navvies played in creating our modern railway network. Laboriously digging thousands of miles of tunnels, cuttings and embankments by hand, putting in place the network we still rely on today. The Basingstoke canal, picturesque running location and beauty spot that it is now, was built in the same manner a few years earlier and likewise carries a memorial to those that suffered and toiled to create what was the motorway network of the day. In our brave new world of automation, computerisation and endless free time it’s almost impossible to imagine the back breaking graft that went into digging these outstanding civil engineering projects by hand. But dig them by hand they did, and often faster than we can manage now with all our mechanisation. They also took the time to add a beauty and craftsman ship to the structures they constructed along the way, something which is sorely missing in our modern drive for speed, low cost and simplicity. Surely, the additional costs are worthwhile if we can create a beautiful, yet functional space, instead of a tin shack, which, whilst functional does nothing to enhance the area around it and will be just another eyesore in a few years time. No matter where we look human hands have had some part in shaping the countryside we inhabit today. Whether that be prehistoric man moving massive stones to build their Henge's and burial mounds, or middle age castles, with their impressive fortifications and earthworks, to more modern times, with the introduction of mechanised farming and the creation of larger fields and massive transport and infrastructure projects. A lot of these things go unnoticed as we rush around trying to fit as much into each day as we can. Something I’m as guilty of as the next man. The joy of running, walking and cycling though is that you’re out in the countryside and by travelling at a slower pace you have plenty of time on your hands to look around, take in the world around you and spot those little intricacies. Even travelling at cycling and running speed it’s amazing how much you miss compared to walking. I’ve cycled the same routes many times and not noticed things until I’ve laced up my walking boots and plodded slowly along the same piece of road. Back roads and county lanes often have small plaques and strategically placed benches (ideal for a lunch stop) placed in memory of some local character or noteworthy occurrence, details we miss as we speed past in the car. Likewise, Churchyards carry a wealth of history from times when the church was the focal point of village life and often offer a secluded and sheltered spot for the weary traveler to rest awhile and contemplate their journey. As we fly through life at a million miles an hour, cramming more and more into each day, maybe we are missing out on some of the more important things in life. Trapped in our cars and centrally heated houses we can’t hear the birds singing or feel the bite of the cold North wind on our face as we struggle into it. Sitting at a computer all day we don’t feel the tiredness and aches that come from having put in a solid days toil. Moving bit’s of paper from one pile to another we miss out on the satisfaction of standing back at the end of the day to admire our handiwork with a sense of pride, or being able to say to your grandchildren in years to come “I made that”. I’m not suggesting for one second that we go back to “the old days”, progress is progress and should be embraced, but I think that there’s a lot to be said for getting outside, enjoying the world around us and slowing down a bit. I suspect some sage or philosopher will have uttered the immortal words “the slower you go the more you see” at some point, and if we slow down and look around it’s amazing what we will see! In other (actual) news, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve finally made some more progress on “Project Patio”, turning my attentions to the final area (for now). The plan for this bottom bit is a row of slabs around the periphery with a gravel infill. Originally the whole area was slabbed over but I think it needs something to break up the monotony of just slabs and as there’s a drain cover right in the middle which needs to be accessible (don’t get me started on that one previous builders!) I think gravels the best bet. The paved perimeter will still provide plenty of hard standing for some plant pots for a bit of summer colour and give easy access to the washing line and shed so that’s the current plan. You’ll also be pleased to know that the cabbage seeds I sowed a couple of weeks ago have finally broken through the surface of the compost. There’s no sign of the Sweet Peas or Broad Beans yet but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Looking back at this time last year we seemed to be a few weeks ahead on the growing front, so I guess that this year’s been a bit colder than 2020 was. By 24 Feb last year I had sweet peas and cabbages sprouted in the greenhouse which is a good 2 weeks earlier. My fingers and toes certainly think it’s been chilly when I’ve been out and about on the bike and I’m not going to argue with that! One to share just because! I stopped here for a brew when I was out on my bike Saturday morning. With the early Spring sunshine glinting through the trees it was just stunning. Looking at the photo now just makes me want to pull on my running or walking shoes and get out there and investigate where this path goes to!
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Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
March 2024
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