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By chance heard about today's walk across Morecambe Bay Sands in Lancashire. I was driving north from Cheshire to Scotland, and liked the idea of this. So I made my way to Arnside on the coast, together with about 600 other enthusiasts (and their dogs in many cases) and we all set out together out into the Bay - at low water of course!
This area is 35 square miles in size, and when the tide flows, it covers the bay in 30 minutes, making it a most dangerous spot. Today's walk was in support of the Bay Search and Rescue Team, who use amphibious vehicles. Our leader Cedric Robinson, is the Queen's Guide to the Sands (so named after he guided Queen and Consort over Morecambe Bay in a horse and carriage). Cedric is a retired fisherman, and has written his autobiography entitled, "Sandman". Have a look on amazon to find out more about him.
Before a walk he carefully explores the lie of the sand. The sands can shift each day and each moment. Even as we set out today, our route was uncertain and we zigzagged our way to and fro to avoid deep channels of water or soft patches of sand. We could not avoid crossing the outlet of the local river, however, and as one our large group surged across this water. The water reached nearly to my waist and I am 5'5" tall. It was quite dramatic.
I did not have my camera with me (less to carry) so only have these snaps of the river estuary taken on my way home. We walked about 10 miles plus, I should think. It was wonderfully refreshing and therapeutic to splash about in bare feet over the sand, especially after hard week's work at Slaidburn YHA as temporary warden. A real day off!
To British Museum this week, saw this superb Roman sculpture of a young man riding his horse. It is a masterpiece of harmony which exactly shows the rapport between a horse and rider. The young man is calm and relaxed, the horse is following his rider's gaze and is equally poised and relaxed, while ready to respond instantly.
What a privilege it is to have one's eyes suddenly open to an artwork and its quality. Only possible after much effort expended in the studio attempting to express some of my own feelings about the horse.
Given myself a weekend off to regain balance and sanity, fantastic. Yesterday to a village near to Edinburgh, where, with a group of like-minded people and the help of a tai chi master, I spent the day practising my tai chi. It took half a day to get into the mind- and body-set, but so healing once it started to happen. My residual aches and pains, caused by tension and anxiety, mostly, melted away. So thanks to all and especially to Dorothy and Dharmamudra. It was wonderful.
Today to Fife and time sitting in the sun watching a charismatic and knowledgeable horse teacher in action with a group of riders and horses. In the blazing sun, equipped with insect repellent and sun cream, fairly blissful just to relax and watch this, without even the stress of having to ride myself and face my inadequacies as a rider. Plus, beautiful horses, especially this one. Insects had bitten her in girth area, so this is why she and rider are practising dismounted! Sun was so strong I could not see camera images on my phone, which is why they are a bit far away. Thanks to all concerned.
