by Steve Tanham
As dwellers on the southern edge of the English Lake District, we are very conscious of the seasons. The dawning of what I call ‘the real Spring’ is a feeling rather than an exact date. It is triggered by the sight of a certain shade of green in the local forest’s foliage.
I couldn’t define that green; simply state that it has a ‘voice’ and is quite different to any other green in the whole year. It carries with it a potency and an almost vocal sentiment that ‘the winter was worth it’.
The word ‘rite’ has always fascinated me, as though this short synonym for ‘ritual’ has a degree more natural power.
My annual spring ‘rite’ is a walking and photographic one, but carried out with as much reverence as I would bring to a more formal gathering with ceremonial purpose.
One third of our garden is the line of the old Preston-Kendal canal, created circa 1820. It was bought by the owners of the plot in the 1950s. We’ve landscaped it to give a split-level lawn but, if you know what you’re looking at, the line follows its original course through the few private gardens before burrowing like a mole beneath the farmer’s land before entering the forest, where, ironically, it emerges into the daylight, again…
Just me and the Collie along a two mile square: through the forest, down to the river, across a mythical bridge, along the road before going across the river, again. Then a climb up a steep meadow…
Its a short walk along the southern bank of the River Kent to bring us back to the final leg of our square… where the Hawthorne blossom is in its full bloom.
And then we cross the river again, at its deepest point within the gorge.
And cross the final line of tarmac – a poor neighbour, suddenly…
©Stephen Tanham 2023
Stephen Tanham is a Director of the Silent Eye, a journey through the forest of personality to the dawn of Being.
http://www.thesilenteye.co.uk and http://www.suningemini.blog
Sun in Gemini 
A beautiful spring walk it looks so idyllic with lots of history a lovely post Steve:) x
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Thank you, Carol. If I can ever get you to stop off here, I’ll show you it 😀
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Lovely post Steve. Tess (it is Tess isn’t it, and Misty is your cat?) looked like she enjoyed it too. I have 36kg of shepherd on my foot as Hubby has just got back from a morning walk on the beach. As is the norm, and she won’t let us forget, it was out with the hose and playtime on the front lawn to wash off most of the sand. Hopefully we’ll be able to take her to the woods this year and I shall have my camera at the ready.
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Thank you, Di! I know what a German Shepard feels like on your foot. My son and his wife have one! Yes, Tess and the collie and Misti the Rag Doll x
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I believe that just because a dog is big doesn’t mean they don’t like fuss………. Maya isn’t as tactile as Maggie was (I’ve never known a dog like her for that, bless her) but she has her moments and likes the one on one.
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Suki my son’s, is just the same – particularly from his wife x
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Indeed, a beautiful round, Steve. You must treasure it. The oaks are quite late in showing, I think.
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Thanks, Michael. I think they do show later, here. Yes, it’s lovey having such countryside literally at the bottom of the garden.
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Gorgeous! The spring green is special so young and fresh. I love the mythical bridge too.
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Thanks, Darlene. The old footbridge used to link the gunpowder works with the other bank of the Rivet Kent. It survived and has been kept safe with new metal reinforcement. It’s very popular with us photographers.
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May I use the term mythical bridge in my next book? I found a similar bridge in Scotland and it describes it perfectly. But I don’t want to steal your words.
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With pleasure, Darlene. Glad you liked it 😃
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Thank you!
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You can have a copy of the photo if you like?
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