More airport walking today...this is a short post as I'm waiting in London Gatwick to go on to Cyprus! Looking forward to the 22 degrees and a defrost. I didn't walk in much "weather" today - mostly trains and tubes and airports again- but London was definitely in thaw mode. It rained much of the snow away last night, and I hardly needed a coat outside (unlike the londoners around me who seemed to be under the illusion that we were in Norway or North Dakota, and dressed appropriately).
Just a note: I will have very little Internet access where I am in Cyprus, so I may be posting two weeks of walking all at one go when I return! More later!
Walk length: 1 hour
No more couch potato. For 90 days I am walking every day regardless of the weather, enjoying the beauty and even the cold or wet or wildness.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Monday, 27 December 2010
Day 25: Walking in London
Tonight I am in London, having traveled from Glasgow this morning. I always find myself wondering if it really would be simpler to drive, seeing as the entire journey from leaving my flat to arriving at my friend's place in the city takes roughly seven hours, and I could drive it in six. But that's not taking into account the fees for bringing a car into the city, not to mention the walking I would have missed out on!!
I walked a lot today, but it is my least favourite of all walking. It goes in fits and spurts. From the house to the car...sit. From car to checkin queue (which, despite my printing my own boarding pass, saves nobody any time, me or the airline), then stand and do the queue shuffle. One step forward, one half-step, almost another, wait, wait....Then it's on to security (more shuffling) and a dander through the shops and food places, then sitting at the gate. Now the slow shuffle to get on (with the laughable precaution of placing my two bags into one for thirty seconds, then separating them as soon as I pass check in), to board, to unboard (deboard?), to gain luggage, and finally a proper walk to the train station....and more waiting. I could go on (train to tube, tube station to tube station, tube to flat), but you get the drift. I hardly feel like I had a proper walk, and yet the backpack and case combination adds a reckless gym element to my efforts today. I make it safely to my destination and rejoice in a cup of green tea and my current book, Blue Blood (an excellent read, memoirs of a NYPD cop named Eddie Conlon). One of my 2011 resolutions (why put it off?) is to read no repeat books. It may be a tough one, but I need to broaden my mind. Some books in my library I have read quite literally 8 or 10 times over.
London is its usual fascinating blend of humanity and steel. Buildings everywhere, and the queue of people walking off the plane as well as those on the train are all in various shades of black. I don't understand why, in a nation and city where it gets dark ridiculously early in the winter, and the bitter cold weather can be discouraging before you even leave the house, everyone insists on dressing as though they're off to another funeral each morning. Makes me all the more determined to pursue and enjoy work that I love, and that draws out my talents.
At any rate, the splashes of "story" appear everywhere. A Spanish couple chatter incessantly next to me, the entire way from Stansted to Tottenham Hale. I don't think the woman draws breath once. A man goes running down the stairs brandishing a bouquet of white roses, looking around wildly for...what? Who? The woman next to me on the tube sits with a beautiful bouquet in her hands, looking sad and miserable. Is she giving them or did she receive them? She sees me looking over and gets off at the next stop. A young girl comes running up as the doors are closing, leaps in, and then looks back to see her two friends on the other side of the glass. "get off at the next station!!" one shouts, laughing, and the girl on the train with me turns her head, face scarlet with embarrassment and a little smile for the humour of it.
It's all stories that I see in various phases but never see the end of. Did the man catch his train? Who were the lady's flowers for? Where were the young girls going and did they laugh all night at their friend's error? But I'm getting cold and my destination and hot cup of tea await, so I set aside my wonderings and arrive.
Walk length: 1 hour
I walked a lot today, but it is my least favourite of all walking. It goes in fits and spurts. From the house to the car...sit. From car to checkin queue (which, despite my printing my own boarding pass, saves nobody any time, me or the airline), then stand and do the queue shuffle. One step forward, one half-step, almost another, wait, wait....Then it's on to security (more shuffling) and a dander through the shops and food places, then sitting at the gate. Now the slow shuffle to get on (with the laughable precaution of placing my two bags into one for thirty seconds, then separating them as soon as I pass check in), to board, to unboard (deboard?), to gain luggage, and finally a proper walk to the train station....and more waiting. I could go on (train to tube, tube station to tube station, tube to flat), but you get the drift. I hardly feel like I had a proper walk, and yet the backpack and case combination adds a reckless gym element to my efforts today. I make it safely to my destination and rejoice in a cup of green tea and my current book, Blue Blood (an excellent read, memoirs of a NYPD cop named Eddie Conlon). One of my 2011 resolutions (why put it off?) is to read no repeat books. It may be a tough one, but I need to broaden my mind. Some books in my library I have read quite literally 8 or 10 times over.
London is its usual fascinating blend of humanity and steel. Buildings everywhere, and the queue of people walking off the plane as well as those on the train are all in various shades of black. I don't understand why, in a nation and city where it gets dark ridiculously early in the winter, and the bitter cold weather can be discouraging before you even leave the house, everyone insists on dressing as though they're off to another funeral each morning. Makes me all the more determined to pursue and enjoy work that I love, and that draws out my talents.
At any rate, the splashes of "story" appear everywhere. A Spanish couple chatter incessantly next to me, the entire way from Stansted to Tottenham Hale. I don't think the woman draws breath once. A man goes running down the stairs brandishing a bouquet of white roses, looking around wildly for...what? Who? The woman next to me on the tube sits with a beautiful bouquet in her hands, looking sad and miserable. Is she giving them or did she receive them? She sees me looking over and gets off at the next stop. A young girl comes running up as the doors are closing, leaps in, and then looks back to see her two friends on the other side of the glass. "get off at the next station!!" one shouts, laughing, and the girl on the train with me turns her head, face scarlet with embarrassment and a little smile for the humour of it.
It's all stories that I see in various phases but never see the end of. Did the man catch his train? Who were the lady's flowers for? Where were the young girls going and did they laugh all night at their friend's error? But I'm getting cold and my destination and hot cup of tea await, so I set aside my wonderings and arrive.
Walk length: 1 hour
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Day 24: Boxing Day...of Rest
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I do really enjoy a day of being refreshed in soul, and not having responsibilities to work or even walk. I did a miniature amount of walking (from the church to the manse and back, I think, is about it), but right now it's a time to sit back and rest and meditate on the sermon, which was absolutely excellent. The story was of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and I have always felt that some of the most amazing (and difficult, for us) verses in the Bible are in John 11.5-6: "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was." Jesus' ways are so inscrutable at times. But His goal is not to make us happy or please us or make all our trouble go away, right away. His goal is the glory of God revealed in us. And often that means that instead of nice, tidy, simple, incremental steps of growth, He uses something so powerful and so difficult and so heart-wrenching that we must grow swiftly, suddenly, shatteringly.
And the result is more amazing that we can imagine.
Enjoy your rest and meditation on God today.
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Day 23: Merry Christmas To You
"Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angle a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!'
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them." -Luke 2.7-17
I was just thinking about this story tonight, about how the shepherds did a lot of walking on that Christmas night. They heard good news about Jesus' birth, so they walked through their fields and to the place where He was; and then they walked on afterwards and told everyone they knew. They went from house to house, 'making known the saying that had been told them'.
I didn't feel like going for a walk tonight. I felt like sitting inside watching my new DVD's that I got for Christmas and having another cup of tea. But, I had no good reason for staying in, so I booted up and coated up and out I went. The night was lovely - cold, but not too cold (I could breathe without it hurting). The ice was like diamond crystals sparkling on the road; although a lot more slippery than that! It was safer walking on the crunchy snow (it rained a little today, so everything was extra crunchy once the sun went down and it iced over). The sky was clear, and I looked up and around to see bright, steadfastly shining stars. There was one shining more powerfully than the others, which made me think of that one star the wise men followed. How incredible was that, their following it for so long - months maybe - and perhaps having studied the stars for years, knowing somehow that it predicted a King's birth? Beautiful.
So, I wish you all a very merry Christmas (as much as is left of it!) and may you continue the joy by worshiping this same Jesus in a place where His Word is proclaimed in truth.
Walk length: 20 minutes
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angle a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!'
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them." -Luke 2.7-17
I was just thinking about this story tonight, about how the shepherds did a lot of walking on that Christmas night. They heard good news about Jesus' birth, so they walked through their fields and to the place where He was; and then they walked on afterwards and told everyone they knew. They went from house to house, 'making known the saying that had been told them'.
I didn't feel like going for a walk tonight. I felt like sitting inside watching my new DVD's that I got for Christmas and having another cup of tea. But, I had no good reason for staying in, so I booted up and coated up and out I went. The night was lovely - cold, but not too cold (I could breathe without it hurting). The ice was like diamond crystals sparkling on the road; although a lot more slippery than that! It was safer walking on the crunchy snow (it rained a little today, so everything was extra crunchy once the sun went down and it iced over). The sky was clear, and I looked up and around to see bright, steadfastly shining stars. There was one shining more powerfully than the others, which made me think of that one star the wise men followed. How incredible was that, their following it for so long - months maybe - and perhaps having studied the stars for years, knowing somehow that it predicted a King's birth? Beautiful.
So, I wish you all a very merry Christmas (as much as is left of it!) and may you continue the joy by worshiping this same Jesus in a place where His Word is proclaimed in truth.
Walk length: 20 minutes
Friday, 24 December 2010
Day 22: Happy Christmas Eve!
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It was all that could be wished for in a Christmassy wedding. The bride showed up in Ugg boots under her dress; the bridesmaid had a white furry stole around her shoulders; the snow was still lying, and frosting the trees, but the roads were clear for the wedding cars to get through; all the guests showed up in big heavy coats; the groom shivered his way through the snow photos; the sun shone, but didn't melt the snow.
I dared a few shops, but the whole time I was muttering to myself, 'comfort and joy, comfort and joy', so that I remembered not to holler at the person or car or trolley in front of me. I think I missed the ultimate in madness (not completely last minute, but late enough to miss those who congratulated themselves on nipping in early), but still I was thankful to get back to the wee flat.
And now it's Christmas Eve night and after a hilarious laugh-session with the Fisher family (legend, can I just say, legend) I am ready to put on my fuzzy warm socks and pour myself a cup of tea (hot chocolate? coffee? the options are limitless) and read Harry Potter and, a little later, video-Skype with my family in the States. Ahhhhh.
Happy Christmas Eve to you all.
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Day 21: Cookies & Cream
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My car had a spot of bother yesterday: something strange happened with the exhaust that made Otis suddenly roar like a racing car - and drive at about half the speed!. My first port of call when 'something weird' happens with my car is to go around back and peer underneath to see if there is anything blatantly obvious. (One time I panicked about my car breaking down only to find out that there was a huge tree branch that had lodged itself underneath the car's frame. Kind of funny, later.) So this time there was...something...definitely hanging at an odd angle, and I couldn't even find my exhaust pipe. Not a good sign.
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Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Day 20: Handing Round Gifts
Today was the day I wandered around like Father Christmas with my trusty little red reindeer, Otis, helping me deliver parcels and good cheer to friends all over Airdrie. We had good times. We had slidy, whoooaaaaa, icy times. We stuck together. But at the end of the day Otis decided he was tired of doing all the work and...broke down. :( So, most of the walking I got to do today was from house to car, car to house, house to house. It was an enjoyable day, but I'm beat, and off to bed! Thanking God for watching over me in all the areas of my life, walking OR driving.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Day 19: A Foggy Little Christmas...
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
- Carl Sandburg
Today, the fog did not come in on little, quiet, pleasant cat feet. It came in stealthily, heavily, like tiger paws. I glanced out my window while working to see grey skies and the usual snow and ice...and a few minutes later glanced up again to see the whole area around me surrounded in heavy fog. I was talking to a friend on Facebook who works in the same town, and she said there was no fog at all just a few minutes' walk away. I assured her it was coming to engulf the church she works in, and sure enough a few minutes later she said, "The fog is here!"
I like fog. It makes me feel Christmassy, too. Like snow, it muffles the normally harsh sounds going on all around us. It's quiet, and not a little bit spooky at times. I went out for my walk to the post office, fully anticipating another hour's wait so I could send off my two parcels. I was amazed to find only four people in the queue, and I was out of there in ten minutes. The woman at the post office said, "You do realise these are far too late to arrive by Christmas", and I was so tempted to drop my jaw and say, "What?? What in the world are you guys doing with your time, anyway??" But after all the disruption we've had, and the reminder that at least a few times they walked several hours in the snow just to get to the post office, I thought perhaps I'd just nod and smile and say that was fine. (It would be incredible if I sent a parcel to America on the 21st and it arrived by Christmas Day...who knows??)
The ice under the snow made an ominous creaking sound at times - like the whole foundations of the earth were going to be shaken if I kept walking on it. On the road, my boots made a 'thomp, thomp' sound - like a muffled, dense stomping noise. Christmas lights blink cheerfully at me; there is still goodwill in the air; and I rejoice in being able to get out and breathe the sharp cold air, even if it hurts my nose as well as my throat.
There was someone walking across the road from me with the brightest, most neon orange hat I've ever seen. It was funny, with all the dimmed and faded colours around (grey sky, misty fog, white trees, brown sludgy ice), to suddenly see an incredibly cheerful hat bobbing along...you couldn't miss it for miles. I wanted to take a photo, just to show how it stood out against the trees, but he sped on very quickly and I missed it. A few minutes later I was standing in front of an icy tree, getting ready to take its photo, and Mr Orange-Hat sailed on past me! I nearly missed him again (you can see the speed at which he is going), but I smiled again at the spot of cheer in a dim (weather-wise) day.
Walk length: 30 minutes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
- Carl Sandburg
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I like fog. It makes me feel Christmassy, too. Like snow, it muffles the normally harsh sounds going on all around us. It's quiet, and not a little bit spooky at times. I went out for my walk to the post office, fully anticipating another hour's wait so I could send off my two parcels. I was amazed to find only four people in the queue, and I was out of there in ten minutes. The woman at the post office said, "You do realise these are far too late to arrive by Christmas", and I was so tempted to drop my jaw and say, "What?? What in the world are you guys doing with your time, anyway??" But after all the disruption we've had, and the reminder that at least a few times they walked several hours in the snow just to get to the post office, I thought perhaps I'd just nod and smile and say that was fine. (It would be incredible if I sent a parcel to America on the 21st and it arrived by Christmas Day...who knows??)
The ice under the snow made an ominous creaking sound at times - like the whole foundations of the earth were going to be shaken if I kept walking on it. On the road, my boots made a 'thomp, thomp' sound - like a muffled, dense stomping noise. Christmas lights blink cheerfully at me; there is still goodwill in the air; and I rejoice in being able to get out and breathe the sharp cold air, even if it hurts my nose as well as my throat.
There was someone walking across the road from me with the brightest, most neon orange hat I've ever seen. It was funny, with all the dimmed and faded colours around (grey sky, misty fog, white trees, brown sludgy ice), to suddenly see an incredibly cheerful hat bobbing along...you couldn't miss it for miles. I wanted to take a photo, just to show how it stood out against the trees, but he sped on very quickly and I missed it. A few minutes later I was standing in front of an icy tree, getting ready to take its photo, and Mr Orange-Hat sailed on past me! I nearly missed him again (you can see the speed at which he is going), but I smiled again at the spot of cheer in a dim (weather-wise) day.
Walk length: 30 minutes
Monday, 20 December 2010
Day 18: Tentative Efforts...
So today I took some first tentative steps (like a baby toddling along), returning to my walking every day. I am definitely a victim of my own competitiveness: it is one of the things that gets me into trouble physically more often than not. If I'm going to walk, a mere ten or fifteen minutes will not do. No, I must tramp for hours through snow and ice and negative temperatures!
The snow and ice is such a draw, though, for a photographer. Today the frost particles looked as though it started snowing, started raining, the wind came down, and then everything froze in place. There were what look like frost hairs lining everything - the trees, the bushes, the frozen red berries, even the metal fences had such a strange lining of frost! I stood and stared for a few minutes, breathing through my scarf, amazed at what is possible with these weather changes; amazed at the Creator's beauty in small things.
Saturday, 18 December 2010
Temporary Hiatus
This blog on temporary hiatus due to illness. My spirit is willing, but my body is weak! More postings as health improves.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
A Blow To My Pride
I am not well today. I've got the cold, which won't go. My cough is not improving. I had a migraine that lasted a full night and was not happy times. I've spent the day in bed and have gotten up several times to peer out the window and wonder if I could go for a short walk - because I absolutely hate not coming through on a challenge, and the challenge is to walk every day in spite of the weather.
However, I had pneumonia two winters ago, and I never want to repeat the performance. If it means a blow to my pride and not walking for a day (or perhaps more - I'll take each day as it comes), then so be it. Walking for health is good. Walking when I should be in bed resting is just stupid.
But it's Jane Austen's birthday today, so I will celebrate by reading a little Pride and Prejudice, or perhaps Mansfield Park. Two of my favourites.
I'm hugely thankful for so many things, though: for migraine medicine, a warm house, good books, hot tea-with-lemon-and-honey, the internet, and even the blow to my pride. After all, every rule has an exception. Surely every challenge has its failures, too!
"Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort." -Jane Austen
However, I had pneumonia two winters ago, and I never want to repeat the performance. If it means a blow to my pride and not walking for a day (or perhaps more - I'll take each day as it comes), then so be it. Walking for health is good. Walking when I should be in bed resting is just stupid.
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I'm hugely thankful for so many things, though: for migraine medicine, a warm house, good books, hot tea-with-lemon-and-honey, the internet, and even the blow to my pride. After all, every rule has an exception. Surely every challenge has its failures, too!
"Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort." -Jane Austen
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Day 17: From House to House
Today was another example of how this blog & challenge came through to encourage me to walk when I might normally drive. I did a lot of driving today - to the next town to attend a funeral, then back home. Dropping off a few Christmas presents. Into Glasgow to a friend's house. And I can say unequivocally that I can see why i am walking. Driving makes me frustrated, ticked off, easily angered, keeping records of wrongs...all those things that love does not do, according to I Corinthians 13, my mind and heart want to do when I am driving in traffic!
So once I got to my friend's flat in Glasgow, I realised that it was a 4 minute drive to visit another friend nearby - or, according to Googlemaps, an 18 minute walk. Seeing as I hadn't had my walk yet, I chose that option.
It was a very wise choice. Perhaps because I was in Glasgow as opposed to Airdrie, but I found myself not needing my hat, scarf, gloves, and even my coat. It wasn't just the walking - I've been walking every day in sub zero temperatures and not warming up! There was a warmth in the air, which I attributed to the predicted snow. I've learned from experience that when it gets very, very cold and suddenly, surprisingly, warms up - it often means snow is about to show up. (I remember where I went to university this would happen. I would leave my dorm and find it surprisingly warm all of a sudden, so I would leave my coat and set off to class, coming out less than an hour later to huge snowflakes falling, and me with no protection from them!)
I passed a Christmas-tree lot, hidden away in a corner of the street. I wanted to stop and take a photo, but there was a guy standing there looking like a Christmas Tree Bouncer of some kind - he eyed me suspiciously as I crossed over to the other side. I just wanted to smell the fragrance - the clean, sharp smell of fir trees. I wish so often I could take a picture of smells like that. It brings up all kinds of feelings and emotions - family, opening gifts, love, joy, baking cookies, sparkling lights, 'Silent Night' on the radio - all this passes through your mind in a moment as you walk past live Christmas trees. I left others to purchase their trees, and walked on.
Also passed a place called The Church On The Hill. It was beautifully lit, with that soft golden light glowing out of the windows. Not used for a church anymore, as is sadly the case with many such buildings in Scotland, but a beautiful venue, and I never knew it existed.
Made it to my friend's flat and enjoyed a lovely catch-up and some red wine, and then back out in the mild evening air to Chinese & Indian food and a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit, complete with Christmas crackers. Then home to my wee flat, where all is calm, and all is...quiet.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Day 16: The Day Is Fading With Fire
Some say the day will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've seen upon the sky,
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to end it twice,
I think I know enough of cold
To say that for the end of day ice
Is also great,
And would suffice.
(Roughly turned from Robert Frost's Fire and Ice.)
This picture doesn't half do justice to the fire in the sky tonight. I took my daily walk to the post office (again!) and ran a few errands while out, and as I went into the last shop I saw the light was fading in golds and pinks. When I came out, there is no other way to describe it than to say that someone had lit a match to the clouds, and it caught and flamed and spread across the sky with great speed. Vibrant, sharp pinks and reds and golds, giving a pale pink hue to the snowy tops of houses and buildings. I actually stood for a moment staring at it, wishing I could capture it.
Incredibly, and typically, by the time I got to the end of the street, the fire had gone out. The blues and purples of the clouds were overwhelming the brighter colours, and all was back to a dark evening.
The air was cold tonight on my sore throat. I was more wrapped up than anyone else I saw, but I was warm, and I don't have pneumonia. (Been there, done that, never want to go again.) So I think for the end of the day, I choose fire.
Walk length: 30 minutes
Some say in ice.
From what I've seen upon the sky,
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to end it twice,
I think I know enough of cold
To say that for the end of day ice
Is also great,
And would suffice.
(Roughly turned from Robert Frost's Fire and Ice.)
This picture doesn't half do justice to the fire in the sky tonight. I took my daily walk to the post office (again!) and ran a few errands while out, and as I went into the last shop I saw the light was fading in golds and pinks. When I came out, there is no other way to describe it than to say that someone had lit a match to the clouds, and it caught and flamed and spread across the sky with great speed. Vibrant, sharp pinks and reds and golds, giving a pale pink hue to the snowy tops of houses and buildings. I actually stood for a moment staring at it, wishing I could capture it.
Incredibly, and typically, by the time I got to the end of the street, the fire had gone out. The blues and purples of the clouds were overwhelming the brighter colours, and all was back to a dark evening.
The air was cold tonight on my sore throat. I was more wrapped up than anyone else I saw, but I was warm, and I don't have pneumonia. (Been there, done that, never want to go again.) So I think for the end of the day, I choose fire.
Walk length: 30 minutes
Monday, 13 December 2010
Day 15: Hear The Angels Sing
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The night sky is fading quickly from the golds and pinks and reds that I saw out the window when I started bundling up. The moon, shining only faintly as I leave the house, realises as it gets darker that we are reliant on him for light, and begins to take courage and make more of an effort. The air feels like ice down my throat, and I'm glad I wrapped up with an extra thick scarf, which I use to breathe through. It's difficult to know where to walk - the paths are iced over, but in a strange way. All the footprints and bootprints in the snow from the past few days have frozen in place, so it's like walking on little frozen, rolling hills. Walking on the unmarked snow is also a dangerous exercise, as it has that thin crusted layer which holds for the first step and then cracks and falls, sending your foot down into six inches of snow (while it laughs in glee at catching yet another one, I'm sure). I pass only one man on my entire walk, and he kindly warns me to watch my feet as I go on.
I'm also thankful for the excuse of this blog to pull out my phone and take a few photos - it's too tempting to walk the whole way with the head down, hands in pockets, concentrating only on my feet. But when I look up after a few minutes, the pinks and golds of a fading sunset have disappeared entirely, to be replaced with a deep, dark blue. I stop for a moment to look out on the frosty fields, my breath coming out in those clean white dragon-puffs, and feel for a moment that I am looking out on 'O Holy Night', or 'While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night'. I don't see any shepherds, or flocks, but I'm in Scotland. I know they're around here somewhere.
Surely if I listen carefully, I can hear the angels sing.
Walk length: 40 minutes.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Day 14: Long Periods of Silence
- George MacDonald
Today I am having a quiet day of rest and silence. Still not feeling well; weary and tired and so thankful for a day of rest, with no walking required. As much as I enjoy getting out for fresh air, today my body and mind need those 'long periods of silence' that George MacDonald speaks of there.
May you enjoy His rest today.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Day 13: A Wee Wander In The Grotto
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Either way, I'm not up to the ideal weather today. But I took a dander round to Carfin Grotto, as I've got a wedding to shoot there on Christmas Eve. There are plenty of good places to capture the bride and groom, but you'll need to wait for Christmas to see the photos!
Walk length: 10-15 minutes
Friday, 10 December 2010
Day 12: Orange Friday
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Walk length: 30 minutes (to shops and back). Post office queue for work items: 1 hour. Shops entered: Four. (That's three too many, my mind is tired and distracted.) Items purchased: Strepsils (the orange-and-vitamin-C ones), Vitamin C (double doses for when you're sick), soup vegetables, oranges, Sudafed, and Coke. (It makes you feel happier.) Notice everything is a remarkable theme of orange here. State of roads: good. State of pavement: soggy. State of mind: miserable, trying to rejoice!
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Day 11: Thaw!
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Of course sorting the mess out has produced a new mess, with little brown streams everywhere and pure slush to wade through and new things for the moaners to find difficult ("What about those pavements? Why aren't they cleaning them? Ridiculous!"), but it's a completely different world. A warm one. Gone are the sparkling snow feathers from yesterday, the harsh cold air that took away speech, every tree looking like a Christmas tree. It's a balmy six degrees Celsius, and in place of the glittering diamond beauty is a mass of shoppers and walkers and drivers.
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The past week or so, even when people were out, the sharp coldness made our blood sluggish, and we walked slowly and conserved energy and only bought the necessities. Now, the icicles are dripping, the snow is melting, and we're all in a hurry.
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I must admit to liking it better at the negative temperatures - the camaraderie, the beauty that takes your breath away, the silent night, the holy night - but I'll also admit to buying a whole bag of loot today! Some for me and...some more for me. It's the season of giving!
Walk length: 30 minutes
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Day 10: Snow Feathers
Today I stepped out for my walk. I expected a long one as the sun is out and I had the afternoon before me: but I didn't get a few feet out my door before I was stopping to pull out the camera. The snow is like individual sparkling feathers, and when the sun catches it, there are diamonds everywhere. You want to reach out and touch them. At one place I stopped to walk through this feathered snow where no one else had passed, and it had a sound like fine sand - whishhh, whishhh, instead of the usual schoonk, schoonk (or, sometimes, a soft crunch, crunch). I wish I could take a picture of a sound, but just close your eyes and imagine fine white sand pouring from one vessel into another, and you'll hear the sound of walking through snow feathers.
After a few hours I walked past a friend's house, and they spied me from the window and invited me in for a cup of tea. I delayed them an hour whilst I caught the end of the setting sun, and then nipped in on my way home. By this time the sun was setting, and I was so cold I could hardly speak. It took me a few minutes to get my wellies off (having learned my lesson yesterday, I had three pairs of socks on, so thick it's difficult to get the wellies off! - but my feet were not blocks of ice today!), and they graciously gave me not only a cup of black coffee (is there anything nicer), but a bowl of soup and sandwiches to go with it! It was difficult to hoist myself together and venture out into the negative temperatures to walk home, but it was lovely to know that my warm cosy flat was waiting patiently for me, as always.
Walk Length: Approx 3.5 hours
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Day 9: "A Picturesque Pain In The Butt"
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My iphone said that the high today was -2, and the low was -7, and it was -8 right then. I think that sums it up.
Today was not really a wellies day. My usually warm woolen socks gave in to the cold's pressure and didn't really prevent it coming in any more. The air is like ice going through your blood, and my toes were like hard blocks that have just now begun to thaw out.
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The roads are like glass. Icicles stretch from every rooftop, some several feet long. The trees are entirely encrusted with snow; even with a full sunny day they have not melted in the slightest. If you insist on going out today (and I did!), look to your nose, look to your toes, and walk quickly.
As for me, I'm in my fuzzy purple Eeyore jammies, the kettle is on, and it's your turn. Where are you going to walk today?
Monday, 6 December 2010
Day 8: Six More Inches, Fog, And A Few Basic Necessities
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But not for long. Not feeling a hundred percent today, but had to get my walk - otherwise bad habits start. So, once the snow stopped, leaving us with at least six more inches to enjoy, I completed the now-familiar ritual of putting tights on under my jeans, layering up, hat, gloves, scarf, coat, extra socks, and finally stepping into my wellies and heading out.
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I ran into a few locals who were out getting some basic necessities, noting that some of the shops are out of milk. "No one can panic-buy like the British", they say, and from what I've heard this past week, that's incredibly true.
My suggestion to everyone is, listen to the insurance companies, the post office, or whoever it is telling you not to get in your car. It's just not worth it. Cars abandoned in the middle of roads. Queues backed up for a mile because one car can't move, and none of the others can get round it. People leaving work at 1 in the afternoon and at half 5 not even close to home yet. Cold. Dark. Dangerous. It's just not wise, people.
Better to pull on the wellies and shrug into that coat and walk! You'll get there faster, and you'll enjoy the journey so much more. Take it from me!
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Day 7: Remember The Sabbath Day
"And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day." -Deuteronomy 5.15
It's wonderful that today is the seventh day of my walking, and it also falls on the first day of the week, a day of rest! Today as on all Sundays I rest from my exercise as well as other things, but it was an act of necessity to walk to church today! It was a beautiful walk, crisp and clear, with icy snow underfoot and even the bright sun not melting it. There are piles of snow everywhere, beautiful white snow and horrible grimy brown snow, but most people are resting today - not by commandment, but by requirement. God has brought the snow, and their cars and their families have to rest.
What a beautiful thing it is to rest not because we have to, but because it's a gift from God.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Day 6: Shoveling Snow, And A Proposal
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There's something very camaraderatic (that's my new word for 'like camaraderie') about shoveling snow. I decided to make an effort with my car, but I didn't have a snow shovel, so I met about four of my neighbours in looking for one. Met a lovely old lady named Betty who thanked me for stopping by as it encouraged her to get out for the day. (Yes!!! Someone else walking in all weathers!) Met an older couple who moaned and groaned about the local council and their inability to come get the bins in snow (cheerful moaning though, if you know what I mean, and they were shoveling snow while they did it). An old man who let me borrow his shovel (did the trick amazingly well, thanks Mr Man At Number 1!). And finally, another older man who cheerfully shoveled away whilst I did, and after about a half hour of me shoveling the road out of the estate, stopped and asked, "Are you married?"
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"Well," he finally said, leaning on his shovel, "if I wasn't married already I'd marry you myself!"
So, a very productive day as you can see. I still don't know the guy's name, but he's there for me if anything happens to his wife!
Friday, 3 December 2010
Day 5: Boodle Bar
Not a long walk today, I think I'm feeling the effects of yesterday. Was working all day and pretty full on, so my walk tonight consisted of walking into the town centre and getting Boodle Bar for dinner! That's it's new official name - I believe the sign above the shop says Bar Noodle or something silly like that, but we all know it as the Boodle Bar, thanks to my inability in texting :)
Debbie and I slushed our way through the grim, black, no-longer-beautiful muck all the way there. Still plenty of cars on the roads, so we couldn't even walk on them! Me in my wellies was just fine, but poor Debbie and her soft boots struggled a bit!! She was very thankful for a tumble dryer when we got back.
It's still great to get out in the fresh air - I love the smell of cold air. According to the NY Times, we (unsurprisingly) are not getting enough outside-time, and this walking challenge was developed for exactly that reason. I could spend all day and night in a cosy warm house, with my computers and kitchen and bedroom and internet ordering and mail delivery and never go out...but how sad is that. Even on a night when the white snow has turned to brown slush, and the cars driving by spray you with more of the slush, it's still good to get out.
And my Boodle Bar dinner was just right. I'm off to bed! More tomorrow.
Debbie and I slushed our way through the grim, black, no-longer-beautiful muck all the way there. Still plenty of cars on the roads, so we couldn't even walk on them! Me in my wellies was just fine, but poor Debbie and her soft boots struggled a bit!! She was very thankful for a tumble dryer when we got back.
It's still great to get out in the fresh air - I love the smell of cold air. According to the NY Times, we (unsurprisingly) are not getting enough outside-time, and this walking challenge was developed for exactly that reason. I could spend all day and night in a cosy warm house, with my computers and kitchen and bedroom and internet ordering and mail delivery and never go out...but how sad is that. Even on a night when the white snow has turned to brown slush, and the cars driving by spray you with more of the slush, it's still good to get out.
And my Boodle Bar dinner was just right. I'm off to bed! More tomorrow.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Day 4: Like Walking In Brown Sugar
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An older gentleman was slushing through the brown stuff towards me (unfortunately the roads were more clear, so I couldn't walk on them anymore), and we stopped to chat. This happened about six times during my two walks today - everyone is just so friendly. People stop to say 'hiya' even while shoveling snow behind their car, or in between having heated discussions with the person they are walking with. One older lady was peeking out her top-floor window, about four storeys up, and I waved. We had a shouted conversation which I doubt she understood any of, but it was very cheerful and pleasant. At any rate, the older gentleman mentioned in passing that "it's like walking through brown sugar", and as I walked on I realised he was absolutely right. If you took bags and bags of demerara brown sugar, and piled it about six inches deep, and made it extremely cold, and then tried walking through it, you will have some idea of how my walk went - at least when I was on the paths.
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On the way back I stopped in at the local grocery store, whose floors were a pool of brown water. Fortunately I was wearing my trusty wellies (also contributing to the brown water), so it was no worries for me. The poor lady at the front with the mop paused as I came in and the look on her face seemed to indicate that she wasn't sure there was any point. I'm not sure there was, either. Best wait till March, and clean up then. For some odd reason, everyone seemed to be stocking up on cooking salt. In the middle of a main aisle stood a trolley, piled high with cooking salt, on sale for 62p. Every person who passed took one, and one lady took four. I was wondering whether there is a sudden need for everyone to make homemade pretzels, but I have now realised that, of course, those who don't have grit are making do with cooking salt. (A little slow here - I think the brain is frozen.) People were also stocking up on Coke - it truly is a Christmas drink. I definitely associate the red can with its cheery Father Christmas on it, with the season.
This is one of those days that I wish my walk could count for two. In total I think I walked for about three hours today - and much of that was hard slogging through snow that was quite literally up to my knees. And I had that heavy camera backpack too. I thought this little blog would be a lovely way to make sure I took a short walk every day! What have I gotten myself into?
I'm off to lie around in my jammies and drink some seasonal Coca-Cola. I'm not going to bother digging the car out for a few days (or weeks), so maybe I should make some homemade pretzels!
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Postscript, Day 3: Back In Time
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Snow at this level makes me feel like I've gone back fifty - or maybe a hundred - years. The roads are so quiet, and still. The noise of drivers and driving is gone. People are walking everywhere. There are greetings being passed across the road - "Hiya, nice to see you" and "Aye, I'll come by later".
Laughter floats across the cool night air and the street lamps cover everything with a soft orange glow. Everyone talks to each other, they share stories about how they were stuck or couldn't get to work or didn't want to bother going to work. The news is on the telly, but we get the most important news from each other. "Is the post office open, do you know?" "Aye, they were saying the football match is postponed indefinitely." "Is the airport still shut?" And a random stranger to sympathise with your hard times, or laugh at your snow story.
It's heartwarming. Almost makes you want to go back a hundred years.
But then you wouldn't hear from me. :)
Day 3: Slight Blizzard, No Problem
So I still keep thinking that if I go out in the morning it will stay nice and clear for my lovely walk. Today it not only started snowing a few minutes after I launched out, it then followed with driving snow, wind, and a mini blizzard. (I say 'mini' because, typically, it all calmed down ten minutes after I walked back in the door.)
My car is almost completely snowed under - which is another reason to walk. I'm thankful today that I live in a small town within walking distance of the train station (which is closed), the post office (which isn't doing much), the grocery store (fortunately open), and all the shops (closing early). At least I can get to them when they all open again!
The walk was...well, I can't honestly say it was enjoyable. It was cold. The snow drove itself into my face with force, my hat didn't quite cover my ears, there are no walkways, and sometimes the snow was over top of my wellies (well over a foot of snow now, I think we're looking at about 16 inches). There were no cheerful greetings with other walkers (we all had our heads down). I saw three people waiting at a bus stop and wanted to say 'For what?', but thought wiser of it as I plowed on. Not much scenery, and no photos to speak of even though I brought my trusty Lowepro Slingshot (with a handy little jacket cover for bad weather!)
But despite all that, it warms my heart to know that there are others out there doing the daily walking with me, even if you've got bright sunshine or a little bit of puny rain or a slight breeze. It's okay. Some days it's harder for me to go out on a perfectly lovely day, because of my mindset, than it is when there is a foot and a half of snow and blizzarding conditions. Excelsior!
I was thinking of trying another walk later, but I'm pretty beat. Right now I'm listening to Mozart's "Sleigh Ride" and watching the snow whirl around in flurries outside my window. They can't touch me.
Until tomorrow!
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The walk was...well, I can't honestly say it was enjoyable. It was cold. The snow drove itself into my face with force, my hat didn't quite cover my ears, there are no walkways, and sometimes the snow was over top of my wellies (well over a foot of snow now, I think we're looking at about 16 inches). There were no cheerful greetings with other walkers (we all had our heads down). I saw three people waiting at a bus stop and wanted to say 'For what?', but thought wiser of it as I plowed on. Not much scenery, and no photos to speak of even though I brought my trusty Lowepro Slingshot (with a handy little jacket cover for bad weather!)
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I was thinking of trying another walk later, but I'm pretty beat. Right now I'm listening to Mozart's "Sleigh Ride" and watching the snow whirl around in flurries outside my window. They can't touch me.
Until tomorrow!
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