Architecture relies Hiking Architecture relies onHiking two bases. Hiking on two bases. Hiking and and Architecture. There are two check-lists Architecture. There arethat two check-lists that will help us to will help us to get there safely, to enjoy the get there safely, to enjoy the place, time, goldenwind, autumn place, time, golden autumn fresh shadow fresh shadow wind, to beto become attentive listeners of the forest, come attentive listeners of the while cosily unrolling while cosily unrolling our cityforest, masks. our city masks. Hiking: 1. Carry - Backpack (if you have the one with a belt it is amazing, if not – take the most comfortable of all. It might help to pack your things in waterproof manner as rain might be our good friend for the journey, but mostly humid air) - There is a fragile balance to be found. You have to be prepared for almost everything, but not put too much as it gets heavier on the way.
We met at London Bridge station at 9am. Sharp or not, but very well prepared. It was quiet early morning throughout the city. Sleepy tube rides with some travellers on the way home after long exhausting hours of social life and the others on their busy weekend schedule, which might not even be call the weekend. Timeless station was already awake and did not show that many signs of Sunday laziness. At least that what people would say if they never saw the train station during Monday morning rush hour. Planning a journey our minds explore probabilities of different possibilities. Choosing a train to take as a group there is always a later one somewhere on the back of planner’s mind. In case someone is running late. People need to have some space to be late, to run along the platform tiles and breathing heavily. Catching it and smiling through the unsteady exhaling or face the closed doors and empty rails. Every trip includes not only a story of people getting on board of rushing train, but also all the stories that made them run and those that made their companions see the desirable, the most convenient and needed train leaving for good. What does it mean? There is no magic, but while thinking which train to take, choose two and the second meeting point for those on their best slightly unplanned way there. Sustainability of any rigid system lies in its flexibility. As long as it can be adapting, it can be a tool to gather people and be open for many. In 1932 mine workers from Manchester went for a protest - to trespass through the land, that was private. They argued that they, as mine workers, have all the rights to enjoy the country, to see the landscape, walk through as a part of living here. 90 years later architecture students are taking a train to walk along the hills as the right they do not ever use. The path is very well known. It goes all the way from Hassocks to Lewes. First hour the path goes constantly uphill but then keeps you above the towns for the rest of the journey. Walking kilometres from the coastline all of the walkers can see the sea side. The glass surface reflects the light in-between the clouds and opens up the wind farms in the Channel. Farmers are passing by on their daily rides to the fields. The dog walkers, the birds that are gathering to fly away, the farming land, the wind mills old and new are along the same path. Everyone comes here for their own reason or looking for one on the way. Various stories are waving along the line leads to the top of the hill and all the way back to the sounds of town below.
2. Drink - Bottle of water (you know yourself better than anyone, make sure you have enough volume for 4.5 hours of constant walking, you might need two bottles) 3. Eat - Lunch + 2 snacks (we are going to eat lunch on the hill, so any kind of food that can survive the trip is welcomed. 2 snacks might be helpful on the smaller stops to bring your mood to the best power, share with the person you like or discover it on the way back) - we are not going to be far from civilization, but it’s nice do not rely on it too much. 4. Travel - Tickets, some money and things to do on the train, you know better than me 5. Wear - Shoes (hiking shoes would be amazing, but you can make it in your trainers as well. Your shoes are your best friends, make sure you are comfortable, dry, warm and cosy, it might get muddy on the way) - Pants (comfortable, quick to dry, preferably wind proof, but who has those is a lucky one) - Layers will always help. A shirt, a sweater and a jacket will help you do not get too warm on the way and too cold while standing. Rainproof jacket will be very useful (umbrellas won’t help) - For now the forecast shows + 7 c. Forest doesn’t bring much sun in - jackets/gloves/ scarves might be helpful. - Extra socks/shirt in case of heavy rain (if you want to be on top of things) Architecture: 1. Documenting the walk. I suggest documenting the trip in any way and media you find suitable. It can help your own project, it can create something new or be forgotten for years. You can be the one drawing on the way, reading future in your friends’ footprints, making a movie, moving, singing, reading poems, measuring distances, taking record of the wind directions or sounds. Solving puzzles. Intuitively bring whatever enters your backpack – there is a space to be whoever you want for a day on the cliffs! 2. Asking yourself a question. If you ask yourself just one question before going and then try to find an answer (or more questions) on the way. It can be something very open as – “Why am I going there?”. Or a bit more focused – “How many ships am I going to see on the way?” At least they might be useful to start a conversation with a stranger on the way. 3. Not doing anything and just be - is always an option! Enjoying the journey
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