For those who spin
Yesterday I had a trip out over into North Yorkshire to join a lay/monastic walking/meeting group on a hike around Reeth. The rain held off, the wind was cold on the tops however when we descended and hiked along beside a river the sun came out. Briefly. Towards the end of our day we heard the sound of distant drum(s). Turned out it was a Remembrance Day Parade, headed by a band, returning from a neighbouring village church to the town hall in Reeth. For tea. The local vicar followed along behind the procession in her Land-rover. Later, congratulating her on her nifty reversing through the imposing stone gateposts of the vicarage, we walked up onto the village green together. Chatting. Well, that was my fourth Remembrance Day Service, she said. I know that one thoroughly now.. I’ve had that same sense, of relief, after a ceremony I’ve repeated a few times. Clad, as she was, in jeans, wellies, farm coat over a dark blue blouse with priest collar I found myself pleasantly inclined towards her. No doubt she was all dressed up for the service earlier on. And glad, like me, to be heading towards a steaming hot cup of tea.
I’ve include a picture of Swaledale sheep taken while passing through a farm yard. Cost you £15 for each photograph, the farmer quipped. Then WATCH YER BACK! as he released a tup from the nearby trailer. And for those who wonder what a tup looks like, or even is, here are some prize winners from a show and sale. And if you don’t want to follow the link, tups are boy sheep which in the Swaledale have very large curly horns.
After my pious words in my last post about moving within as the winter approaches you might be wondering if I actually meant what I said! Well yes I did and I do. One of our sayings, teaching sayings, is about the necessity to be flexible in ones day and be willing to move in (within) and move out (into activity). Reflexively. Out walking on the moors draws one back indoors, for tea.
