Remembering Remembrance
Remembering Remembrance
After work I set off for what for a long time has been an annual pilgrimage to Borrowdale to share the commemoration of Remembrance Sunday with others on the summit of Great Gable.
The previous two Novembers fleeting thoughts passed through my mind of when my last one might be. Whether that be out of choice, lack of fitness , ability or…. At some point when maybe others might need to remember me.
Little could I have guessed the circumstance and obstacle would be in the shape of a National lockdown starting tomorrow.
Back to my journey, leaving Keswick there is always a moment of anticipation, joy and sadness upon leaving the last roundabout and committing to the drive down the Borrrowdale valley.
Joy at being here and able, joy at the thought of seeing people, some of whom I see once a year but still regard as friends and hope they feel likewise.
14 Comment(s)
· 4984 views
Comments (14)
Please log in to add comments.
The memories shared are very special,but whenever we are free to roam,there will be more happy memories to store.The High Peaks are behind me now as my knees are unable to take the pressure of steep descents,but the mud and soakings of both rain and unsuccessful Beck crossing and the smiling faces will always bring a smile,🍺
Ive missed that weekend a lot. In fact missing going up to the lakes.
TC, it was a spontaneous opportunity.
KateB, that's a nice idea for when we feel things are
okay again.Something to look forward to.
I’ve only been once- last year but it has been coming into my mind regularly today. Let’s hope we can do it again next year. Touching words.
So well put, made me tear up a little 💕💕
Wish I'd known you were here Trekkie. We will all still remember, 11am on Sunday x
trekkie: Maybe we should do an unofficial Remembrance walk up Great Gable when the lockdown eases and normality resumes?
The photos were taken on Wednesday 4th November. The last possible day for me before lockdown.
I reached the summit and was alone with on one there but when I stopped for my minute of contemplation I was in a throng of so many people I have known or know and considered myself privileged to be able to indulge myself in remembering.
We have to have hope . Just like getting to the top of the pass and the vista opening up from the dark uphill struggle, we just have to hope that next year, 2021 we will be able to share our 10th get together .
I miss you all but as the photograph says I am sure we are all together in spirit.
Keep Safe, Keep Sane and keep driving onward.
Len
The road ahead did appear to end, but as I pushed forward and continued the car lights uncovered a new piece of road and then another.
That is it. I realised that the road ahead may appear to end just in front but we do not know that it will…. Carry on and something new may well become clear.
And so I reached the Honister mine and parked up where I put my thoughts to paper as I observed a generally clear sky with a few twinkling stars and the odd cloud floating in front of a nearly full moon .
Tomorrow is a new day, and whilst I have mad this journey many, many times, the last 8 or 9 years I have shared this with friends from OD. This year I feel as though I have still shared it with you all.
to start the climb up the narrow and steep road of the Honister Pass..
The road steepened, narrowed and darkened seeming to come to an abrupt end not too far ahead.
But then it came to me. Why was I here a few days before Remembrance Sunday to summit Great Gable the day before the start of National Lockdown and an unknown way forward.
The road ahead did appear to end, but as I pushed forward and continued the car lights uncovered a new piece of road and then another.
Feelings of sadness , thinking of those that for various reasons will not be there this year and also the expectant feeling of hearing the challenges people have been through the past year.
This year has been a strange year for us all, the drive down the valley did nothing to dispel the feeling of strangeness. Perhaps it was my imagination which conjured up a feeling of ghostliness and quietness in the dark and the mist.
It felt strange being at the little crossroads, left to the Langstrath Inn, right to Borrowdale YHA, yet carrying on and leaving them behind whilst at the same time retrieving memories and agin carrying on past them
ignore the preceeding comment which is in the wrong order.
That is it. I realised that the road ahead may appear to end just in front but we do not know that it will…. Carry on and something new may well become clear.
And so I reached the Honister mine and parked up where I put my thoughts to paper as I observed a generally clear sky with a few twinkling stars and the odd cloud floating in front of a nearly full moon .
Tomorrow is a new day, and whilst I have mad this journey many, many times, the last 8 or 9 years I have shared this with friends from OD. This year I feel as though I have still shared it with you all.
We have to have hope . Just like getting to the top of the pass and the vista opening up from the dark uphill struggle, we just have to hope that next year, 2021 we will be able to share our 10th get together .