The rain finally stopped, I know it's been warm just lately but back at the end of June I really didn't think we would get any sort of summer this year. So after weeks of unsettled weather it cleared and I had a weather window of only a couple of days before more rain came in. I needed to get out, really needed it. Last year with all the challenges that we all faced, the one thing I truly learned was the quality of seizing the moment, so without much thought decided to do a simple walk and camp by my local river. This is a walk I was going to do back then, just couldn't get it together during late spring which has to be the best time with all the bugs and birds on show. Summer walking is great but as a visual nothing beats the pristine beauty of late spring. Time was running out this year as well and I was very conscious of that so nothing was going to stop me not even a relatively full diary. The work will still need doing when I get back but I'll face it then, for now it was a full dose of Mother Nature that was needed.
The River Meon is only small, it runs for 22 miles from source to sea. I wanted to walk up stream back to the source so a couple of hours at Titchfield Haven before the walk just to see the bird life down there, and that was it. I was filled with inspiration, of course I had to make the birds the theme. I've seen plenty of rare birds before so lets just see how that goes. The Meon is a fast flowing chalk bed stream, quite rare in it's self. There are only about 200 chalk bed streams in the world and most of them are here in the UK. So it's as clear as Gin, with lots of fish to spot as well.
Summer camping is the best, short nights yes, and those very early summer mornings...beautiful but also not much gear needed. Small pack, light load makes for a much nicer time for sure. My kit was down to basics, a tarp, stove, cup and food that was it, oh yes and of course my new and now favourite bit of kit. Best you wait to see it rather than me try to explain.
I was excited at the prospect of this walk, mainly because it's my local river and I've spent many lazy afternoons down there chilling out after a hard day at work, but I realised I only really knew a few small sections so not only will I be able to link them together in one big walk but I'll get to know the rest now. As with all walks in nature there are always many surprises and this one didn't fail. Within no time my senses where filled and I was spotting birds everywhere, dragonflies and fish.
This walk did it for me, really nailed it. I find on most walks a need to re connect in some way, fix something that's broken even. I'm certainly more relaxed after a big walk, even feel like my default is re set in some way but on this walk there where no questions, just a very quiet knowing that something is spot on, almost perfect.
Music. www.purple-pla...
15 сен 2024
