Deep in the green marsh
shall we walk lovely lady
this bright autumn day
Month: October 2015
Wordless Wednesday
Sunset on a bench
There’s still a few days for Jude’s bench challenge, this month it’s benches with people or other objects on them. This one was taken a few years ago on the waterfront at Kota Kinabalu. I’ve always felt that the blurriness gives it a slightly dreamy quality as the people gaze out on the islands of Tunku Abdul Raman park. What could they be thinking as they enjoy the view, is their conversation interesting, or perhaps they are silent?
Do you have a bench photo to share with the world? visit Jude, she’ll explain!
Blogging friends
Well just look who I’ve found.
![IMG_1771 [7316870]](https://lucidgypsy.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/img_1771-7316870.jpg)
I met the amazing Julia, from the 100 word challenge, @theheadsoffice and Julia’s Place and her husband Nick on Saturday. We had a great time, with cake and conversation of the very best kind!It really did seem like we’ve known each other for ever.
Are you a blogger? Have you ever met a reader in real life? Read about one of my blogging friends
Visit Julia here Blogging friends
Being careful
This week’s photo challenge was created by Michelle W,
— a photo taken with care, a person being careful, or a task or detail requiring care.
My first ‘Careful’ image is of two young people engaged in martial arts. One wrong move and it could be very painful, but this tough cookie knew just what she was doing.
Next we have some delicate work, carried out with skill, spinning wool for Turkish rugs.
And last but not least, my gorgeous Grandson being very careful and totally focussed with last year’s birthday present, his very first guitar!
The challenge is just out so you have a week to join in.
Across the Thar, Bikaner to the ends of the earth with prickles in my salwar kameez.
A couple of days about I posted about visiting India ten years ago, and that led to a comment from our driver, protector and Rajasthan expert Magan Singh. He now runs his own tour company http://www.heritageindiaprivatetours.com/ and I know he must be doing a brilliant job. If anyone wants a wonderful India tour Magan is your man. Magan it’s wonderful to hear from you and I wish you all the best for the future
Until I began researching the idea of a trip to India I didn’t know Jaisalmer existed, but once I did it had the most powerful allure. I have tales to tell about the places en route out of Delhi, but that’s for later. We left Bikaner early, to travel 200 miles across the great Thar desert, a place so hot it burns inside your nostrils when you take a breath. After some 15 miles on NH15, signs of life became scarce. We stopped for a stretch and a photo opportunity, and when the engine was cut we stepped out into the most complete silence I’ve never heard. The landscape was empty, vegetation was the odd scrap of scrubby weed, with an occasional bug burrowing around it. It was my first taste of really dry heat – the closest feeling I can compare it to is a hair dryer on dry…
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Lazy Poet’s Thursday Haiku
Crystalline granite
A boundary guardian
standing for all time
Wordless Wednesday
Ten Years Ago Today . . .
. . . I was in India.
When I first heard of the city of Jaisalmer I was entranced, it seemed to me to be at the end of the world. The golden city is dominated by the fort, a living, vibrant place that has a life of its own, hanging on the edge of the far west of India.
It’s a very commercial town, everywhere you turn someone is trying to persuade you that you need spices you’ve never heard of, saris, wall hangings, ornaments of all types. I expect it’s even more touristy now. But that doesn’t spoil it’s charm, the twists and turns of each cow inhabited alley, gets under your skin and even deeper into your nostrils.
There are several Jain temples, with finely detailed interiors, and a plethora of Buddhas.
The stoneware is so beautiful it’s hard to know where to look.
But there are quiet spots to reflect,
And sculpture to wonder at,
Haveli’s are mansion houses of the wealthy. While some in Rajasthan are dilapidated, many are well maintained and open to the public for a few hundred rupees. This one was a museum come antique shop, I think pretty much everything was for sale at a price, even though it was also a home.
In the afternoon of October 20th,we went wandering around the streets. As in cities all over the world, groups of men gather on street corners and squares to play cards and board games, while the women are hard at work trying to feed their families.
The fort is one of the biggest in the world, built high on a hill with three layers of walls and ninety nine bastions. Here is a view from one.
In time for sunset, we went just outside the town to see the fort change colour, by day it’s the colour of a lion, but at sunset it turns to a honey gold.
Although the sunset was disappointing, traveling friend and I were happy to be all dressed up in our finery, in the most mesmerising city at the end of the world.
Jaisalmer is around 800 kilometeres from Delhi, and it can be reached by train, an overnight journey. Better still, try a slow journey and stop along the way. Rajasthan is wonderful and the people are warm and friendly, who are justifiably proud of their heritage.
A Green Circle Walk
My city, Exeter, has a 12 mile circle of paths around it, going through valley parks, nature reserves, town parks and cemeteries. Because the path passes through so many green spaces – as well as leafy residential areas, on the quiet it is a haven for wildlife. There are foxes, buzzards, woodpeckers, deer and kestrel. Around the river and canal sections you may see kingfishers, mute swans and even otters.
Last weekend I walked a section of the Ludwell Valley Park. At it’s best on a clear day in high summer, when the views are beautiful and the meadows rich with the sound of chaffinch, goldfinch and even the rarer yellowhammer and cirl bunting. In early autumn there is still plenty to see if you keep your eyes open.
The remains of the meadow, left for wildlife to feast on.
The meadow was abundant and diverse in the summer.
Two small border terrorists decided to abandon me here!
So I stood around, admired the youngish oak tree, called them, stood around some more,
Squinted at the hazy view
enjoyed the holly and eventually they re-appeared.
So they had a bit of a sit down, and we all enjoyed a different view.
Then headed back to our starting point.
Admiring the rich hedgerow along the way.
Daisy debates another diversion, but we heard an animal sound, possibly a fox, bigger than her and warning her off, so she came back as soon as I called!
Ludwell valley part of the Green Circle has several entrances and you can walk three or four miles some of which will be very steep or just take a half mile level stroll. Whichever you choose, the air is fresh and its very peaceful.
I hope you enjoyed early autumn in Exeter Green Circle, this post is for Jo’s Monday Walk, she would be delighted if you joined her and her other walkers.
