Health & Wellbeing
A walk around…
with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade
the top of what (apart from Colmer’s Hill) must be the most photographed place in Dorset: Gold Hill, made famous by the Hovis advertisements Because of the current shortage of daylight this is a short walk of nearly a century ago! On this occasion (maybe next time) of only a couple of miles but might take longer than expected don’t go down the hill but take the level path to the south west because of all the distractions. which gives you magnificent views across the Blackmore Vale. It’s all on the hill top where the antiquities, shopping It takes you past the Abbey and its gardens, which are currently opportunities and views prevail. closed, then turn right, north, along Abbey Walk to the B3091, Find somewhere to park on street at the eastern end of the old left for 100 yards, then right to join a path that takes you north town then join the main road, Salisbury Street, the B3091. west to a green giving you wide views over Gillingham and This takes you north west past (or via!) lots of small shops. Wiltshire. Go round the green and head south to rejoin the The road curves round to the south west and changes its name B3091 on a bend heading south downhill. to the High Street. It leads to the Town Hall which often has After a few yards you’ll find an ancient graveyard on your events and is next to St Peter’s Church which is magnificent. right, then, further down, Love Lane and the parallel footpath There is also an interesting museum, which is free to visit. which take you north eastwards back past the Abbey whence Find your way south past these distractions and you’ll be at you can retrace your steps.
Shaftesbury
Walking towards the future January, and a new year has arrived. The 2021 Christmas festivities have taken place amidst uncertainties driven by an invisible agent that continues to pose a threat to our health and prosperity. Despite my resilience, this pandemic has, once
again, dampened my spirits and worn me thin, and now, like many people, I am ready for a new start. As I walk out on the Cranborne Chase this bright January morning, the birds are singing and the catkins are hanging from their branches like
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chandeliers, bringing forth new promise. I feel excited for the year ahead. The nights are getting shorter, the bulbs are bursting through the soil, and some birds are already beginning to pair. Although still mid winter, there is change afoot.
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With my spirits lifted by the sunshine, my pace is as steady and as regular as my heart. Beat-by-beat and step-by-step, I am walking into the future, determining the paths I take and finding my own way. For me, walking is like life itself, a satisfying combination of enjoying each moment whilst still moving towards my goals. Here in the pine forest, green fronds glisten from the overnight rain and the earthy aroma of the forest floor is the sweetest of perfumes. I can hear the high-pitched trills of gold crest feasting high in the canopy and the chirpy two-tone song of coal tits. As my eyes drift upwards in search of them, it occurs to me that trees grow upwards towards their future whilst we move forwards in search of ours, yet both of us are in pursuit of light and nourishment.
Leaving the darkness of the conifers behind and moving out into the open sunlight, I am struck by a different song, a punchy, insistent call that I cannot quite recall. Eventually I find the distinguished musician, as the brown and pale hues of a marsh tit wearing a fine black cap comes into view amongst the old oaks. I walk until my legs begin to ache and the sun has dropped beneath the horizon. Heading for home, I stop to marvel as a fine, ethereal mist begins to blanket the fields in a white shroud. As the sky turns crimson, I recall a Tibetan proverb that my grandmother would recount, that “the secret of living well and longer is to eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure”. Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com)
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