Yesterday I ran 10km or so. Today I ran 10km or so. Yet the difference between the two adventures could not be more marked, as in twenty-four hours I ran from coalition to majority.
I'm not going to go all political on you, oh god please no! But as a lover of the countryside I wonder all sorts of things. Will the horses I saw being ridden be soon used for live hunting of foxes. Will the hares I sometimes see out and about being end up being coursed? How much green space will be developed with offensively ugly, out of date badly constructed housing? Will more hen harriers go missing?
Yet the sun still rose this morning, and out on Hawton Works the singing lark was ascending again, along with grey partridge and a solitary snipe. And as I slogged along in the rain, all I was thinking about was "Well, what more can I contribute? What can I do?"
I think there's a lot that can be done, and at that stuff that needn't cost anything at all. My job is going to be to try and increase people's appreciation of the outside, and how accessible it can really be. Others will volunteer at foodbanks, or teach kids how to read, or maybe take art classes out in the open air. I sometimes imagine doing a bit of astronomy outreach.
I wonder who else is thinking of being more active in this regard.
In the meantime, enjoy a bit of colour!
Si
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| No shrinking wallflower |
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| Ceonothus are out. Tree bumblebees adore these |
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| The great slab at Beacon Hill Park. |
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| Crystalline close up |
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| Conker spear! |
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| Focus DIY Bluebells |
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| Friary Road bluebells |
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| Photo to illustrate how in non-native Spanish bluebells the flowers grow out from the stalk in all directions |
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| Cow Parsley |
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| Whatever this is, it's in my garden now |
