Going the Distance

I've been stuck in a hum drum existence of walk/jog 5k just to keep me going whilst my knee fails to heal.

 But I'm missing the distance that took me to my favourite old haunts.

 Walking takes so much longer.

But it also gives time to look and appreciate.

Symmetry.

 Mobile sheep shearing.

 Very loud mamas.

 Long roads of nothing.

 Steep hills to be walked backwards to build my quads.

The cyclist going very slowly because of the steepness was very polite and sympathetic as I explained I was backwards on purpose.

 Did I mention the symmetry?

 The Englishness of cricket paraphernalia  in the fields.

 Fields of calves.

 Footbridges

 canals.

 Meadows.

 Muddy fields transformed into lush greens.

 Even the muddy lane was starting to dry up.

And the white wedding of a wood.

It was lovely to have some time


What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.