Back where I started at St Margaret’s Church, circa 1866.
My car is parked on the narrow lane in front of the church, as you can see the grounds were in much need of a cutting & doing this was a small group of local grounds men the eldest of whom wearing a white full grown beard came over as I photographed the church ‘walked far’ he asked? yeah I’ve done Sale & Ling Fell & this morning I was up on Blencathra, ‘Bloody hell he says, you’ve done quite a bit today mate’ I smiled & nodded your right there, my legs sure feel it too, do you know that Fiona Lewis bird of telly? I look puzzled slightly & reply yeah, thinking in my head she’s the fit news reader who I think won rear of the year once. no-no not Fiona I mean… I then quipped ‘do you mean Julie Bradbury’ yeah that’s her, have you seen any of her programs? Er, yeah I replied, I’m now thinking in my head, Julie Bradbury-the one I once had a slight obsession with & whom I hold an autographed photo, yeah I know of her.. she did loads a programs round here. Have you heard of err..what’s his name? here we go again I thought, he’s revising all the Wainwright books, he’s now stroking at his own beard, Chris Jesty you mean I replied? yes that’s him!! I gave him the nod I was fully aware of whom Chris Jesty & his plight to revise all seven Wainwright pictorial guides hadn’t gone un-noticed. Where are you staying? he asked-I’m going back to Wigan for a much needed bath & a beer I replied, blimey you’d better get off then, cheers mate, Nice talking to you I replied, with that I walked the 50 yards or so to where I’d left my car & began to gear down.
Blencathra seemed so far away & yet it was only four or so hours, its unusual how a day can turn out, I’d gone from having the biggest spring in my step to akin to a walking zombie.
Only a man with a white beard who knew no names & a fell I had traversed that very same day changed my mood for the drive home, the smile was back on my face after our comical conversation & as I drove along the A66 & back past Blencathra’s outpost did the butterflies re-appear as I said to myself, I was there & I will be back soon. |