Day 16 of the #GrandWalkOut and I am still walking through this remarkable space. It’s green in so many ways but it’s also grey and blue and yellow and although it’s continuous it’s also always changing. Just the kind of environment for an aspiring Dr Who.
I started walking at bridge 107 and walked on to bridge 110 where I also visit St Mary’s Church. That it was closed was to be something of a theme for the day as far as inside spaces were concerned. Bob had by now started at bridge 110 and was walking to bridge 126 so I had plenty of time to fit in a few other visits.
Pitstone Windmill is the earliest dated in England (1627) and was closed, but looked wonderful in a big green space. A sparrow hawk and a red kite enjoyed the grey space above my head.
The old church at Pitstone was also closed, but there the green space was dotted with yellow. Churchyards have been noted as some of the most biodiverse places in England, each a potential ancient undisturbed oasis.
By now, Bob was nearing bridge 126. We met there in a less glamorous space beloved of fly tippers. No, the countryside does not benefit from your old fridge.
We drove back through Ivinghoe to Whipsnade as I wanted to visit another space I’d heard about: the Tree Cathedral.
It was gorgeous. Whilst some of the trees now show maturity and age others are younger. Some peel, others blossom or prickle. It’s delicious. Bob took us back via the Icknield Trail, an old track towards Bison Hill and a view over the plain.
It had been a totally delightful spacious day. Glory to God.
From my remembered bible: The trees of the field shall applaud with joy.
Thank you.
From a Friend of Scholastica and a Member of the Lay Community of St Benedict.
Janet Lees, Ivinghoe, 10.05.2022.