It had been a long day and I was in need of a change of scenery so headed off to the hills. I loved the walk up through the trees, the early evening smell under the canopy of leaves, their gentle rustle, the birds still active yet not easy to see, the occasional rustle from the undergrowth too.

Then surfacing with open wide vistas to take one’s eye and mind to distant places.

This was the perfect tonic – some exercise as I walked, some fairly serious breathing as the climb became steep, some time to step away from my day.

It was the evening before the longest day; the night sky would not start to dim before I intended to be off the hills.

I was surprised to see more people around than I had anticipated. Sole walkers or couples out for a walk too – many also engrossed in their thoughts. When I reached the highest point I stopped to recover my breath, let my heart rate to ease…and enjoy the breeze of the fresh evening air, the solitude plus the view.

Soon a delightful young couple arrived where I was resting and we fell into an easy conversation around a variety of topics. All of us asking questions, yet when I felt it was time to leave them to their walk they asked more, clearly in no hurry, wanting the conversation continue at a deeper level.

They had travelled up from Oxford for a few days – he, to show his partner where he came from; she, to enjoy the experience of these hills for the first time. One was working in Oxford, post-doctoral studies, the other in the final stages of their doctorate on biodiversity and the impact of climate change. A fascinating conversation, in my case a delight to be the student again.

Aware that the evening was getting late and a wish to off the hills before dark we made our farewells and headed in opposite directions.

The picture I have attached shows a wonderfully big sky with various shades of blue. A delicate haze in the distance over the fields, a path along the hills, a few sheep grazing.

A fitting reminder that sometimes the focus one may have in our busy day can become all too encompassing – it is not until we embrace something bigger, in this case the hills and the expansive scenery, that some things can start to be put back into perspective.

I returned from my walk with a clearer head and my body feeling as if it had been used for the purpose intended.

A timely reminder that even as the days start to shorten there is no excuse not to embrace the moment and take some time for bigger things. The place I was standing may remain the same – the view and importantly the sky will always be different if we are prepared to slow, stop, stare.

My best wishes,
 
Peter