Listening to nature – Clare's many threads

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

**My made and found Five directions logos**

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.

**On top of Lurgie Craigs (Black Hill and Eildons in far distance to right and left)**

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.

**Blinkbonny Quarry which I could hear from all my different directions**

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.

It’s a catchy phrase but I’m not actually envisaging a march. There’s too much of a relentless forward motion implied and militaristic overtones. More of an interested amble. Taking in the scenery and seeing how far I can get, in a gentle kind of way, on the ten days I have in mind. Those days are definitely in March and starting on Monday 15th.

**The road near my house on a beautiful evening**

I am going to walk to RAISE MONEY for The Cheyne Gang, an organisation that works with singing for breathing LINK. I have been involved with them for a year now and they are a very inspiring bunch of women.

Each day I will walk from my front door. The first week will be five half days, the next week five full days. Each of the five days, a different direction.

The photos give an idea of the landscape I’ll be walking through. Although, probably not the snow. But you never know. A bit of unintentional rhyming there.

**The same road** **at the beginning of February**

I don’t know if I can do it because of my energy issues but it will be interesting to try. The Cheyne Gang are intending to include Long Covid sufferers in their work. I’m interested in Long Covid because, in my mind, it bears a relationship to other post viral syndromes like Chronic Fatigue and M.E. I have a mild form of Chronic Fatigue and like so many others I feel under the radar, so manage it in my own way. I’m hoping that research into Long Covid will also throw a light on Chronic Fatigue.

The pink house in the middle is mine. Cheviot Hills behind.

So why March?

Several reasons: I start feeling more well in March , the cows aren’t in the fields and I like the idea of walking through the Spring Equinox and the changing of the light.

As I am an artist, the whole walk will become part of my practice. Currently I’m working with Life Writing and have been reflecting on my biography, particularly my time as an actor. I’ve been using specific textiles as a prompt into my memories. I also work with paper, textiles and song, so we’ll see what emerges. There is the possibility I’ll get very tired and nothing will emerge but I intend to work with that too. I’ll try to listen to my body and sit or lie down whenever I need to. It’s lovely lying and looking at the sky or up into trees. Possibly not when it’s raining but maybe it’ll stay dry.

I intend to record some of my walking experience so look out for this blog and photos, sound and videos that will also appear on facebook and instagram and consider donating. More information about that will appear shortly.

So … walking from my door and whatever the weather.

Week 1 – Monday 15th March – half a day for five days – each day a different direction

Week 2 – Monday 22nd March – full day for five days – five different directions.

Tag: Listening to nature

March in March – week 1

March in March – Intro