I’ve been to Gold Corner, on the Somerset Levels, twice in my life, each time on an End to End walk (once with Hannah in 2012 and then in 2019). Being in the middle of the levels it’s quite flat and the roads are small and quiet. There are also options for quiet paths alongside the drains that criss-cross the area. The biggest feature of Gold Corner is a pumping station, helping to maintain the drainage that is essential if the land is to be used for agriculture and as an important internationally recognised wetland.
It was constructed in 1942 and the Environment Agency describes it as the largest and most complex in South West England. You can read much more about it here: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:950/OBJ/20000998.pdf
On the 23rd Day of the End to End it was pretty wet and visibility was significantly reduced. There’s a very small rectangular notice on the wall by the door of the pumping station. I’d seen it before. It denotes the high water level at spring tide. It’s way above my head. I kept walking.
It’s easy to see how the area came to be associated with myths and mystery. The name Avalon was from the apple trees in the area but the mist could hide anything. I eventually met Bob and dried off in the car. Later a couple of cyclists in their 70s told me they were riding the End to End. I believed them.
The whole walk was made up of simple moments like this: a walk through knee high wet grass followed by a warm pasty, an uplifting conversation swapping adventurous tales with other Lejoggers. One year on, I’m in no doubt that we made the right decision to go End to End in 2019.
From the remembered bible:
Peter said to the man at the door of the temple ‘I don’t have any Gold or Silver to give you. I can only give you this….’
Glory in mist and mystery: the Creator’s works are all around me.
Glory in rain and relationships: Christ is waiting on every corner.
Glory in plans and patience: the Spirit fills me with hope even in despair.
Just as the waters find their level again,
so do I find myself filled with the love of the Holy Three.
JAL: 24.04.2020 in Longdendale.