Albert Einstein

Jhumpa Lahiri

Mr C and I had lunch ‘Al Fresco’ in the Bowring Park before making our way to Haughmond Hill for an impromptu afternoon walk.

After we arrived at Haughmond Hill Mr C didn’t set of on the more direct way up the hill as I expected he would. Instead he set off on what I knew was the longest trail which was a bonus for me. Mr C didn’t religiously stick to the trail and at one point I realised that we had gone in a circle and arrived back at a familiar viewpoint near to the start of our walk.

We retraced our steps to locate the viewpoint he was aiming for then walked along the ridge enjoying the viewpoints but failing (as I thought) to locate the ‘bench’ I really wanted to see.

It was only later that I realised that I had seen the back of the bench. It was the intriguing fallen tree shape at the end of a short path, the only path that I didn’t walk to look at the view even though the curious tree trunk was calling me to have a closer look. Ironically Mr C walked along the path to see the view and didn’t notice the log/bench! After taking in the view he retraced his steps to find me waiting for him by some delightful lilac trees.

After an enjoyable five mile adventure we arrived back at the car park just too late to enjoy refreshments from the café. Maybe next time

This morning I woke to bright sunshine which was a lovely change after the rainy windy weather that we have been having lately. I checked my phone’s weather app which advised me that it would rain later in the morning but be sunny and fine in the afternoon.

This led to a morning of household chores and holiday planning leaving the afternoon free for walking. After lunch I donned my heavy duty walking boots and set off for walk in local woodlands that I have been avoiding lately due to rain and mud.

As I walked along one of my local bridle paths I met a young lady with a young child in a pushchair and a dog by her side.

She asked me where the pathway led to, so I told her and asked her where she was trying to get to. She told me where she was heading, explaining that she was new to the area and thought she might have turned off the pathway (that I was heading towards) too soon.

I redirected her to where she should have been. She was happy that she would be able to find her way back from her newly explored pathway without turning round and retracing her steps.

After we parted I had an enjoyable walk around Apley Woods, avoiding the more muddy parts. As often happens on my walks, a dog came to say hello, leaving a tiny muddy paw-print on my leg.

This part of the Bishop’s Palace was built in the 1400’s by Bishop Bekynton, it is the home and working offices of the Bishop of Bath & Wells.

Prior to 2011 the wells and gardens were within the bishop’s private garden.

“In this moment, as they stop for breath before staggering on with their burden of the cross, we are given an opening to relate to this group of deserted children.”

Josefina de Vasconcellos, sculptor

The artist represents each child to symbolise a crime against children in the world today: AIDS, drugs, genocide, abuse, landmines, homelessness, infant mortality, lack of education. She had a great heart for the needs of disadvantaged children and helped them in many practical ways.

Information taken from a signboard next to the sculpture.

Aeschylus