When I walk I try to do nothing, nothing but walk. Having nothing to do allows me to recover the pure sensation of being, the joy of existing, the pleasure of connecting mind, body and soul. In someways it quite child like, not having concerns just being in the moment. I try to allow the walking to unburden me, to lift the obsessions of the constant need of doing in the day. To soak in the brightness of the light, the smell of the trees, the blue of the sky and the expanse of hills. To marvel, to absorb, to gaze and experience. Only when I get home do I reflect and think about the experience for making.
I've been walking and cycling the South Downs Way now for the last 15 years. Its a ancient path and bridleway that runs from Winchester in the West to Eastbourne in East Sussex. It is about 160km of rolling chalk downsland, steep ascent and descents, forests and open grass land. Looking south you see the English Channel, looking north you see the country spread out in front of you.
