Yesterday I went for a walk in the countryside with my friend Terry. We set off from Hutton Henry. In the late 19th century, this had been a very active coal town but there is currently little evidence of that today, at least to a casual observer such as myself. The route for our walk came specified in a leaflet that Terry had obtained, I think from the public library. I was able to trace the footpaths, without much difficulty, onto the Ordnace Survey Sheet #93 Teesside and Darlington map (1: 50k). Despite being able to read maps, despite possession of a compass, and despite the clear descriptions of when to turn left, right or upside down (that were offered in the text of Terry’s leaflet) we nonetheless managed to get lost on more than one occasion.
The walk ran to about 6 or 7 miles (if that is not too much a contradiction in terms, since I can assure you there was no running whatsoever on our part) and the first leg took us to Hurworth Burn Reservoir. This had been built by damming the said burn. As we approached the water, we could see a small wind farm in the distance. Terry said that he disliked modern wind turbines but I rather like them. I think what he was getting at is that they are a blot on the landscape. Human beings should be damned for messing with nature, and spoiling the view. Yet, here, the view had already been spoiled by the building of the dam and the creation of the artificial lake. In that sense, perhaps the dammers should be damned, too.
Hurworth Burn reservoir with wind turbines on the horizon
The water, we were told at a helpful tourist information board that had been thoughtfully erected near one end of the wooden bridge that took us across the reservoir, was home to a several species of bird and served as a migration motel for others. I cannot remember what species were involved; I should get into the habbit of photographing the information boards when I go on these rambles.
The nuts and bolts of the reservoir
Although I took a sketch book in my backpack, I did no sketching. Because of the time involved, I think that sort of activity will need to be done solo, assuming that at some point in the future I can overcome my phobia about sketching in public.
I have missed playing my gigs in SL this past week. Hopefully my computer will be returned to me on Wednesday and, if I can get all the necessary software installed, I may be in a position to play the show at Ragged Edge on Thursday. Before that, however, I have my sketching class on Wednesday. I really must try to do some drawing this weekend. Speak to you later, my dear blogophiles.
John's Quavering Pencil 