Life, the universe and everything, on the walk home from work!!

I love walking; it’s my favourite form of transport. Apart from my desire to leave the smallest imprint on our fragile earth, it is also the best way to build a relationship with the place you live in. You actually pass through life as part of it rather than riding through as a mere spectator (if you even bother to look).

My current joy in the wonder of walking has a lot to do with the time of year. In the last few weeks all the trees have exploded with leaves, and walking to and fro from work, noting their progress has been a soul lifting experience. Who can be down when the world around you is bursting with life? The though has just struck me that perhaps the fresh acid green of new leaves is the happiest colour I know! It makes me so happy to be alive.

My favoured route to and from work at the moment was introduced to me by a friend from work, and comes down the tree-lined edge of the level and round the front of the church before heading up the hill for home. I’ve got quite into walking down that tree-lined stretch. The spring sunshine and warm evenings have been great and every day the trees have been that little bit further on. And I just love the smell of life in the spring; it takes me back to tramping round the bluebell woods as a kid.

I have always found walking to be conducive to having a good think. Many a problem has been worked out while thinking and walking. I also find it a great way of experiencing the environment I live in. in walking to work and travelling the same route every day you get to watch and keep tabs on certain things as they change with time. Also, each time you make the journey there always seems to be some thing new to see, something you hadn’t noticed before or something which has changed. I don’t even mind that much when it’s pouring with rain. True some days can be down right miserable but other times it can be quite enjoyable.

I have to say this is my main reason for preferring to walk everywhere rather than use public transport. You get out and see life, and it makes you feel alive.