Ditch the Metaphor

Yesterday's early light was beautiful.  I set off up the hill using the Sheffield A-Z I had picked up from the house.  I could see Nigel's post-it notes from when he used it to make GP home visits.  Marjory Brown, bad chest and sore feet - (not her real name.)

The route went up through Studfield Quarry.  There are a number of old millstone grit houses scattered through the estate.  I guessed that this is where the stone originated from.   At the top of the Quarry there is a path heading off up to the common.  As I walked through the woods, the track trailed off into the distance.  I searched around for a metaphor.  "Not through the woods yet", "keep on the path and trust that the view at the top will be magnificent."  I got to the top.  There was a small car park, and lots of birch trees.  "Ditch that metaphor" I thought quickly after deciding that the summit was pleasant, but non-descript. 

Today I decided to do the walk in reverse.  There was some light drizzle, but the air was fresh and cool.  This time I found an interesting pile of broken bolders.  They reminded me of the much grander 'Steinura' in Northern Norway.  I decided it was a mini-steinura, and felt quite satisfied with it.  Next I left the beaten track and walked along a rocky ridge.  Here the views were more interesting, with a panorama across the Peak District.  On the horizon I could see high rocky outcrops.  It was good to return and reappraise the place.  I am sure there is a lot more to discover too.  (Still ditch the metaphor.)

Mini Steinura

Warm Rain

Mercy is like the rain.

This morning I got up at my usual time, dressed and out of the door in seconds, like a modern electric train I mused.  Margaret and Joanna, both have elegant, steam-powered engines, needing time for their boilers to be stoked.  I am now listening out for the rumble of boiling water.

I found the route down past the Loxley Works, a smart gated residence, and through the woods to the Loxley river.  By the river there were large masonry blocks, so vast that they reminded me of something that might have being uncovered in the valley of the Kings.  It might once have been the foundations of a power station, harnessing the force of the River Loxley to turn the wheels in the now upmarket residence.

As I wondered, I recalled my mother saying to Peter and me that we could play in the rain.  We were in Hong Kong, and the rain fell in large drops.  I remembered wondering what was so dangerous about rain, but this was warm rain and it wasn't going to harm anyone.  Apparently rain in England has to be respected.

We had a tense moment on Monday talking about trying not to cry in front of Elizabeth, because this made her cry, and then she started choking.  But you can't stop the rain.  Sometimes it doesn't kill you, even though it hurts.

I visited the local shop at Malinbridge.  I told the shopkeeper that I was his latest costumer, for a while.  We talked about the reason we had moved into Loxley.  He had had a friend on the same ward.  As an Iraqi Kurd, I guessed we both knew about tragedy, his on a greater scale.

I am "Dillar" he said.  "Hamdullah?"  I said.  "No, just Dillar."

"Praise be to God" for this morning, and all that will happen it in.

A Journey North

A cycle ride north, beyond my usual territory up towards Melton Mowbray. I came to Stapleford Park where Dave and Fran have enjoyed luxury weekends in the past.  And I remembered that St Mary Magdalene's church is features in Simon Jenkins' 1000 Best Churches.  It's a Georgian Church, fitted out for a wedding.  

View from the gallery

View of the gallery

Some amazing flowers

The church in the park

Stapleford Park

Leicester to Stapleford