The Amblers in Tribland

by Anne Lees

‘All the wild world is beautiful, and it matters but little where we go… So universally true is this, the spot where we chance to be always seems the best.’ So said John Muir (1838-1914), a Scottish-American naturalist, author and environmental philosopher. He had a lovely way with words and has hit the nail on the head: on none of our walks have we ever said, ‘Well, that was rubbish! We won’t come here again.’ On the contrary, we are always keen to repeat the experience at our earliest opportunity.

Like many of you, the Amblers are glad to see the back of winter and the bursting forth of Spring. We have encountered some very muddy walks over the last couple of months, but things are looking up now, with the beautiful yellows of celandine, daffodils, cowslips, dandelions and primroses to attract nectarseeking insects and butterflies; the blues of a sunny sky, grape hyacinths, periwinkle, bluebells and alkanet, and the wonderfully frothy blackthorn hedgerows and blossom trees. We have already seen our first brimstones, peacocks, small tortoiseshells and a comma, not to mention several busy bees – nature is alive once more and promises such riches in the countryside. Muir’s passion shines through his writing. He wrote, ‘In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks… Nature’s peace will flow into you, as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves’. I think we would have enjoyed a walk in his dynamic company!

We had a splendid morning in Bainton recently, drinking in the delights of St Mary’s churchyard: as Spring arrives, the ground is carpeted with pretty primroses, celandine, purple, white and apricot violets and delicate blue scilla flowers. We also discovered a newto-us flower there: yellow Nonea. Despite the cold temperatures, we were fortunate to have sunshine for our visit – which allowed us to witness the sundial stone in action –and we then extended our walk into the countryside, beside fields to the north, until the cold wind drove us back.

Sunshine featured on our Good Friday walk too, encouraging us to take our time to appreciate the beauty around us. We started from Paradise Lane in Northborough, headed east along Maxey Cut (crossing Deepings Road halfway), then north towards the Welland River and part way along the Deeping Low Locks footpath until we reached the second metal gate and headed west, back to Northborough where there were views stretching for miles beside fields of gold. (Not everyone welcomes the return of the rape crop, but it does make a spectacular sight in Spring, and the flowers are beautiful.) Along the journey we paused on the Cut bank to watch a heron stalking – and succeeding in catching – its prey before taking off in graceful flight. We saw swathes of red deadnettles on the bank, glowing brightly in the sun. The blackthorn bushes covered in frothy blossom looked like clouds fallen from the sky. The Welland’s banks were covered in celandine, and a bold clump of marsh marigolds blazed at the river’s edge. The chiffchaffs were singing, as well as a skylark, and a pair of kestrels perched on the owl nesting box, allowing us to get quite close before they flew away. The azure sky was dotted with cotton-wool clouds, the sun shone brightly, and we had a taste of things to come: a joyful reminder of brighter, warmer days ahead. We cannot wait!

We amble on Friday mornings in various Trib’land locations and you are welcome to join us. If you would like to come along, or offer to show us around your locality, text the Amblers on 07714 021 131 for more information, or PM me on the Village Tribune Facebook page. We look forward to meeting you.

These popular dishes are cooked using just one heavy casserole or large frying pan and combine the flavours of good quality ingredients with a slow cook in sauces or natural juices. This is of course easy for you busy chefs at home to produce great plates of food for family and friends to enjoy.

The dish this issue is coming from an area of western France around Montauban, just north