A Reflected Landscape

We ventured out into the misty grey yesterday morning to take a walk around Grimwith Reservoir. We are generally an early-to-rise family (with the exception of The Teen, who's body runs on teenager time these days), and it's fairly easy for us to be up and out the house by 8.30am in the summer.

I have to confess that I have mixed feelings about this walk. It takes just short of 2 hours to do the 4 mile round route, and there is a part of me that finds the whole thing ever so slightly dull. There, I said it. I try not to voice this in front of the Little People, because really this is a great walk for them and us as a family - very easy footpaths, a known distance/time that they can cope with, toilets in the car park. 

So yesterday I did my best to adjust my mind, and I set out to appreciate the scenery, feel the benefits of the fresh air and exercise and enjoy some chatty-time with the Little Peeps.

I took the above photo to show you the water levels here in North Yorkshire which are still desperately low despite us having a very wet summer. It's odd to think that our drinking water may very well come from right here (this is one of five reservoirs in our area owned by Yorkshire Water). It makes me not want to moan about the summer rain quite so much!

This time around Grimwith (our third time walking here), we decided to walk the reverse way around the water and see how it felt. For some reason it worked a treat and I enjoyed the walk so much more than in previous times. Maybe it was the fact that we walked the most boring part first, or maybe it was the weather which although grey was blissfully still and just the right kind of warm. But perhaps it was simply the fact that we enjoyed our time together as a family, making the absolute most of these last days of the summer holidays. 

There is definitely something about being beside still water which is extremely soothing and restful. You can feel the peacefulness seeping into your soul, and although I generally prefer to feel invigorated by crashing waves and salty surf, I am finding a new appreciation for quiet, still waters.

We saw very few people yesterday as we walked, just a few dog walkers and a few sheep taking in the morning air.

The surrounding landscape was looking beautiful, with a purple blush of heather across the hilltops and so many shades of green all around. I stood still and breathed it all in. So so good.  

There are several of these carved stones set into the walls around the reservoir, but the poetry of this one is my particular favourite. I've just made a quick Google search and found out that this is the work of local artist Fiona Bowley. 

"A reflected landscape of shadows calling out from under the water" - isn't that such a lovely thing to ponder as you wander around the waters edge?

At this point in the walk we were about 2/3 of the way around, and the light and weather was beginning to alter almost minute by minute. 

The low grey cloud was beginning to lift a little, allowing a gentle brightness to creep into the morning.

The swaying summer grasses, as usual, stopped me in my tracks and made me hold my breath. I have no idea why they affect me so much - I feel like there is an old, old childhood memory tucked deep down just out of reach. I love how tall they are at this time of year, so delicate yet strong at the same time.

This was quite some hill, an unexpected climb which took us by surprise. Of course, as we were walking this route in reverse we would've been jaunting downwards not upwards when we walked here before. It felt good to get the blood pumping though - Little Lady and I proper power-walked up this bit, flopping down on the grass at the top of the hill gasping for breath. So unfit - jeez. I really could do with improving my fitness.

The light was extraordinarily beautiful as we neared the end of our walk, and the contrast of colours was just incredible. The water had turned a dark shade of grey under a heavy grey rain cloud, whilst the sun lit up our little patch of high ground. It was absolutely breathtaking. 

Ragwort (that yellow flower) is a funny plant, mostly ignored as an annoying weed (a bit like dandelions) and hated by land owners as it is poisonous to animals. But the colour of it on this grey day was nothing short of magical.

That grey and yellow colour combo is pretty powerful don't you think? It instantly reminds me of my dear friend Vanessa who used to love seeing yellow and grey together......I really do miss her very much. I think I might take a pootle through her blog archives later, she left behind such an inspirational treasure trove of words, images and ideas for us to dip into. Blogging at it's very best.

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Comments

[Sally Spragg]

The photo with the blue sky. It looks like the clouds are being peeled away like peeling an orange! Super!

[Fiona]

Lovely evocative photos, your words add to the overall feeling. Thank you.

[meredith]

Vanessa was an inspiration to many. I so wish things had been easier for her. Her creative genius is missed. Take good care Lucy.

[Winwick Mum]

Those are quite stormy-looking colours, much more what you'd expect later in the year never mind the end of August! I like the poetry in the wall, definitely something to ponder :-) xx