Only 13 kilometres to walk today, just over 3 hours walking. I needed a shorter day as my left knee was suffering. It was having to work hard to correct the tendency for my foot to slip on the ubiquitous mud. After tarrying over breakfast I left Henley to cross many muddy fields, pausing to collect another coffee from a lonely trailer by the railway station. Today there was woodland stretches as well as farmland. Skeletal oaks stood black against the dirty grey, overcast sky, their leaves discarded on the path and among the brambles. Soon the blackened leaves would turn to leaf mold, enriching the soil. Moss growing on exposed tree roots and ivy climbing trees were the only greens.
The fields in this area were large, some with long lines of green shoots, others were of yellowing grass on which occasional sheep grazed, and a desultory pair of horses. Fields were edged with hawthorn hedges, their leafless branches covered in yellow and sage green lichen. I disturbed a gaggle of Canada geese on one field. On seeing my approach they started to honk among themselves before sidling off reluctantly.
On the approach to Alcester I saw the only person aside from myself out for a walk today in the drizzling day. Her dog took exception to my trekking poles, which I found essential to keep me upright in the slippery, sliding mud.
To early for my hotel I walked into the historic centre of Alcester. The old, half-timbered houses were distorted by age, leaning into the street. I found a cafe for lunch, an unusual combination of poached eggs, bits of bacon, chilli jam and melted cheese on crumpets (crumpet of the type called English Muffins). Then it was off to my hotel, to watch some of the Winter Olympics.
No comments:
Post a Comment