Colours grey pervade
In mist footsteps disappear
today on the fell
The last time I wrote about the colour grey in fifty shades my blog had more than the usual visits, most of them disappointed never to return. My attempt on a Haiku will put off the rest.
I don’t know why I went up the fell today, all was mist but there was something warm in the air. Or at least there was in the afternoon after I had roused myself from a strange overlong sleep. I had had no real exercise since that magic day on Ilkley Fell last week. Though occasions spent catching up with friends and family had been worthwhile. There is only so much time one can spend writing Christmas cards and thinking of presents. I had put up my decorations – well an artificial tree in the porch and a home made wreath on the door, that will have to do. Time for a walk.
No cloud inversion today. The mist stayed with me all the way up, but mist has no threat to me on home ground. Familiar paths were running with water. Not ideal you may think but I was enjoying myself, I had time to wonder why. There were no views but I was still able to see the valley, Pendle and the Three Peaks in my mind’s eye, an ideal day for recollecting scenes. Vivid for me but not for strangers.
A friend I met, there were only the two of us up there, at least had an excuse for being out – his lively terrier’s daily exercise. Yes it also fulfilled my erratic daily exercise, I’m not counting steps on my phone. Have you ever looked at what they are tracking when you open up your life to Google et al?
With landmarks coming and going out of the mist the fell looked mountainous at times. Water was running down most of the tracks and the boggy areas were treacherous. There was some colour at the ‘Longridge Fell Christmas Tree’ I am not sure about all that plastic glitter on the fell although I must say that last year its originator cleared all away by 12th night.
I didn’t stop long at the trig. I took my usual diversion on the way back and was surprised too see two large trees blocking the path. They hadn’t been here a couple of weeks ago, must have come down in recent gales. Scary. The light in the tunnel was even darker than usual.
Mine was the only car back at the road and I hadn’t answered why I do it.
*
By now the sky showed promise of better things.
Atmospheric. All the better when you know you are returning to your comfortable abode rather than a cold damp one man tent. I seem to be finding friends and acquaintances turning to poetry recently, perhaps just coincidence but there is much to be gained. Th haiku format is fascinating enabling one to express to some extent one of those complicated multi-layered feelings (more than just thoughts) that can swirl in the mind, and are so difficult to illustrate in normal prose which would likely develop into something far too long winded. I like your effort.
Don’t know why I suddenly thought of a Haiku whilst I was out – composed it on the hoof.
Whist we both enjoy walking with good friends we both enjoy our solo walking and composing haikus on the hoof is one of its many rewards.
Longridge fell does have its own feel to it, like it’s more remote somehow, didn’t know the fell runners had put a tree up there too, they do take the decorations down from the other one though to be fair, i think the haiku is quite good by the way, it’s a lot better then my rubbish attempts!
Thanks for your comment.
Alex. Where is the other Xmas Tree you mention?
Good to be out in familiar territory and on a hill that feels like it’s a friend even when it’s looking grumpy. I liked the Haiku, it captures the mood of your walk well. I’m turning to poetry more these days. Fifty shades, eh? I might try that out for a laugh. Fifty shades of grey on Rivington Pike?
Longridge Fell keeps on giving.
The Japanese Gardens could be the setting for your fifty shades.
My favourite colour
Funny you should say that, A lady friend of mine was called the ‘Grey Lady’ from her outfits.
Was that today BC? If so, then it’s such a contrast to down here, it was glorious all day. I was very tempted to go out but ditched the idea in favour of some research and stayed local instead. The Christmas tree looks pretty 🙂
No yesterday. I was in Moeambe today in the sunshine.
Damn! That’s where I thought of going – we might have met 🙂
It was indeed a beautiful day
Looks very murky up there. The tree at least ,brightens things up.
Another murky day today.
Sorry your comment got lost in
the murk!
Definitely atmospheric. I quite like walking in our local woods – the Plantations- when it’s misty. Adds something different to a familiar place.
(I particularly like that last photo of the avenue through the trees)
That avenue is a favourite of mine