Sunday strolls

Been a tough old week, hasn’t it? On Monday, yet another young, unarmed, black man was shot dead by the  Metropolitan police, on Thursday our Queen died, and today is 21 years since the 9/11 attacks. Not including all of the other terrors that are going on around the world, plus whatever else you have going on in your own life.

If I could say one thing, it’d be, “be kind”.

Emotions are running high and we have to be aware that we don’t all think the same, and need to be respectful of other people’s thoughts and opinions.

I’m no fan of the monarchy – I’ve done my research and it is an inherently racist institute that didn’t even acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement – the Queen, love her or hate her, has been a part of our lives, for all of our lives. Well, for 9 out of 10 of us anyway.

For people of colour, you, me, we, have to deal with an institutionally racist police force because of the colour of our skin – I mean, imagine being scared of the police because of the colour of your skin – that fact could cost you your life.

And, 21 years ago, we watched in utter horror as planes were flown into the twin towers, killing almost 3,000 people. 3,000 souls were taken in an attack that we will never forget.

Now I know I haven’t gotten around yet, to actually what the name of this post is about, but I’m getting there (!), and I think it’s important to reflect on what’s happening around us.

Most days, Dave and I, stroll hand-in-hand to take Bells out for a walk, but today’s stroll felt especially important. Being outside is my escapism. It takes me away from the business of my ever-active, over-thinking mind and focuses me on what’s around me, and how I can capture that through my lens.

Our walk started with a stroll through our village, to find some kind neighbour had left some tomatoes and runner beans on top of the postbox for passers-by. Fortunately, my runner beans are producing well for us, but I can NOT resist tomatoes, especially ones that smell utterly heavenly. Despite just starting our walk, I didn’t care and was not letting them go (and basically cradled them the entire way round – or perhaps Dave did ;)). Also, we found out that we have a walnut tree in the village – bloody fantastic!

Today, we were only just over the fields we look at every day, only to discover an abundance of cobnuts!

After seeing the lovely SuffolkSisters on Instagram picking some a few weeks back, I went out to hunt some down and little did I know they were all around.

They’re a lovely English hazelnut, that is almost creamy in texture, and I plan on making some pesto and quiches with them – I’ll let you know how it goes.

We’ve walked these fields dozens of times, likely more, over the years that we’ve lived here, but today, with a focus on finding cobnuts, we were glued to the edges of the fields, giving us a totally different perspective and giving us time to see and hear what’s around us.

The sound of what we think was a shouting stag, the screech of a buzzard, the vivid blue flash of a kingfisher, the quickly retreating bum of a muntjac, the cackle of a jay, the angry buzz of a hornet (I can’t get over how huge they are), and the quickly moving wren, whom I always refer to as Jenny, makes for the most gorgeous sights.

Bella was living her best life, with her nose to the floor, sniffing and snorting, in and out of the streams, whilst we looked on with amusement and so much love for our little pooch.

Well, until that shoulder dropped and she tried to roll in fox muck as I screamed, “Belllllaaaaa, noooooo!” – fortunately, we had a lucky escape as her aim was terrible!

Before you know it, with poo bags full of cobnuts, tired legs, and happy chatter, it was time to walk through the quickly dissipating mist and head home.

As we embark on the transition into autumn, I think these few weeks may actually be my favourite time of year (yes, yes, I know I’ve said it a million times!).

Sunday didn’t use to be my favourite day, but they are now, so whatever you’re doing, I hope you’re finding time to do things for yourself.

So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to enjoy sitting outside, close my laptop, drink fizz and listen to the Autumn Feels playlist by Our Lovely Goods.

A x