The clocks went back and my equilibrium has not settled yet. So, I found myself awake and tootled off for a dark walk. It was dry and dawn was just around the corner so I was content with my trusty companion to set out.
Ok, that is the version of events I tell people if they find out I went for a dark walk. It is all about trust, and weather. The reality is I go out for a dark walk most mornings whether the weather is fair or foul. I like the smell of the dark, not yet sullied by our over use of engines and I love the sounds.
Across the road from the study and therefore each time I walk there is a tall horse chestnut tree, where brave starlings cling to the uppermost branches as they chatter to themselves. In the dark other sounds come from the tree, rustling of leaves where dormice have found a home in rotting branches, the wind driving the leaves to drop from their home and land all around, and the dawn chorus of all the birds in all the trees around about.
This morning I got soaked, a shower took me by St. Dympna’s and we walked home sodden. The rain went as soon as we were safe inside and I got to watch the wonder of blush infused clouds intermingle with the darker rain clouds, and the soft hue of orange and yellow in their turn.
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Fall, Leaves, Fall
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.
Emily Brontë
I am not quite ready for the bitter cold of winter, 14 °C on a Bank Holiday Monday at 07:30 suits me just fine. We will trot out again later, by the river track, she might swim, she might not. On this autumn day I am thankful for:
- Birdsong
- Showers
- red clouds
- dawn chorus
- good health
- roof over head
- warm coffee at my side
- Jesus in my heart.
Rebuilding Community 