Magi Has a Walking Adventure

So I went on a bit of an adventure with my Writing in the Environment class. We went to St. Catherine's Hill and walked the water meadows. Supposedly we were on the same path that Keats walked, drawing inspiration for his famous ode 'To Autumn.' I was supposed to be on that path... and I think I was for a while. But come on ladies and gentleman- who would I be if I didn't make my own path, even if it was an accident.

Here begins the path up St. Catherine (who I will refer to as Cathy)'s hill. In so many words.. the trek up was a struggle. Its quite a big hill. No worries, the athlete in me got me up the hill. A little insight on this picture and the class I am taking. We were supposed to take notes and pictures of things that inspired us on the walk. My note at this point on my walk was "the living grows next to the dead; juxtaposition." If you look closely on the left of the picture are giant, leafy trees; on the right of the path are dead trees. It just struck me. I don't know what as or what for but look for yourself.

As I came around the corner to the stairs up the St. Cathy's I ran into a bit of an obstacle. Actually, there were two or three of them. These giant cows were grazing on the stairs and would not move. They were so big and they let me get so close to them. I was actually scared that one of them was going to kick me as I moooooved around its backside. (That one was for you Dad.) But they didn't. In fact, my note at this point was "I feel like I'm intruding." They looked so peaceful and amazing. See for yourselves.

I walked up the hill and looked out across the city and more. It wasn't exactly like being on top of the world, but it was pretty spectacular. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of that for you. It was so bright out (for once) that it came out as just white and tiny bits of color. I wanted to do the view justice, but that picture wouldn't have so I didn't. So I just stood for a few minutes and took it all in, and made my way down St. Cathy's and moved on to the meadows.

On my walk I took a couple right turns where I thought I was supposed to, and ended up on this tiny, muddy path next to one of the canals. At this point I hadn't seen another human being in a while so I was  starting to get nervous. I felt like I was in the wrong place or on the wrong path. Then I wrote down, "How do we know which path is the right one? None of them are marked. There are no signs that say 'Keats' path, this way.' And just because you walk where some one else walked doesn't mean you've been where they've been." Funny how that can be applied to life right? (Thats for you Bug- I will always support your path no matter where it takes you.) Turns out I actually WAS on the wrong path. I saw the paved foot path running parallel to the one I was on and had to hop a fence to get back to it. Small obstacle. Look at who I found floating down the canal. though He sidled right up to the bank and posed for me! (Mom remember those birds in mexico who posed for us? He was like them!)

I ended up walking by myself for over three hours. If you've got a lot on your mind, three hours is a long time to be alone with your own thoughts. But not talking and just walking, and looking, let's you see the world in a different way and really appreciate it. Its true sometimes someone would jog by or being walking their dog, but for the most part I was alone. When it was really quiet I could hear water in the distance, birds calling out the coming spring, my feet squishing in the mud. It was a really great walk. I'll end this one with a picture of a view that I simply found beautiful- the english countryside at its best. As always, thanks for reading. I'm headed on another adventure this weekend so check me out Sunday. I should have a lot to say! <3 M