March in March – week 1

I’ve completed my week of walking mornings. Each walk is marked on the map in a different colour. Everyday I made, or found a symbol of my Five Directions. Next week I’ll be walking all day from Monday to Friday raising money for The Cheyne Gang www.thecheynegang.com/

Here is the link to my fundraising page https://localgiving.org/claresmanythreads

The first walk I considered to be a warm up for the rest of the week. It was a brightly shining day and heading over familiar fields I allowed myself to be lead by tracks into the woods. I found several and also deer prints. In my head I called these tracks “The Deer Wood Ways.” (Mmmm I think I can hear a poem on its way.) Before stopping by the Eden Water for my hot drink, I came across what I first thought were deer and then realised were plastic models! There were lots of them, all different animals. Part of an archery course but kind of Crazy!!!

On Day Two I started by marching cheerily down the road on another glorious day of sunshine. I got tired pretty quickly, but there was something about walking along a lane that pressured me to keep going forward fast. I made myself slow down. Then my gaze was drawn to the left and I saw an opening into a stubble field which seemed to be inviting me in. As soon as I was off the track I felt better. Nearing the line of woodland ahead of me I saw a herd of deer racing through (their Deer Wood Way.) A couple of them stopped to have a good look at me and then raced on.

Day 3 was special because I planned to go to Lurgie Craigs. Several years ago I spent many days there studying the landscape to create a piece of solo theatre. There aren’t any paths, so I went cross-country fearing barbed wire and other hazards. It turned out to be surprisingly easy. I went past the quarry, through fields and up to the craigs. It was like coming home and I didn’t want to leave.

Day 4 was my longest walk at about seven miles. Again it was sunny and when I sat in the corner of a ploughed field drinking my coffee, the sun burnt my face.

The last day of the week it was grey. Also fairly cold. I planned to go to Smailholm. As it wasn’t very far I took the long way, down into the valley to Eden Water. I had swimming things with me. A friend had promised to donate if I swam in the water. They were heavy so I hid them under a gorse bush to retrieve on my way back.

Walking from Smailholm to the Eden Water valley I was intrigued to see it from very different perspective.

I got to the stream, retrieved my towel, undressed and got into the water ( I was wearing a swimming costume under my clothes.) It was hardly above my knees so I lay down for a few seconds. I’m hoping my friend will think that equates to swimming. Then I went home, passing Hundy Mundy on the way.

Many thanks to all those who have donated so far. I’m now just over half way to my target.