HEADING WEST

You know me; I always like to make a thing of my holidays with the Intrepids. So, having finished my job yesterday, and before starting my new one next Wednesday, we’ve taken the opportunity this week to be en vacances in the sunlit uplands of North Somerset.

“It does remind me of Wales,” said my Dad, who then went on to give a geological reason why as we drove the last bit of the way here. Sure enough the hedge-lined hills rolled gently under the blue sky, nestling their white sheep and scattered farm buildings. Over to our right, the wide, flat Bristol Channel stretched calmly over to actual Wales, divided presumably by some ancient glacial movement that shaped these valleys and left a tapering estuary behind.

I don’t know why, but my heart always sings when I head west. I feel like the elves leaving the grey havens or pioneers looking for adventure. That feeling was only helped on by the fact that there where thick grey clouds behind us, and open skies ahead.

“Did you know,” said my Dad, knowledgeably, “That scientists don’t know why clouds turn black when they’re full of rain?”

I confessed that I didn’t know that, and then wondered why that might matter. There’s a lot scientists don’t know - I can’t see much practical application from finding this one out. 

We arrived at the thatched cottage around 4pm. The village was warm and quiet - just the sound of bumblebees in flowers around door-frames and gardens. We unpacked and then I made tea, which we took, sitting around the garden table.

I’m not saying I don’t like the East by the way. As much as there are the undying lands for Tolkien’s elves and ringbearers, there is what C.S Lewis calls the ‘utter East’ in his books too. That land is Aslan’s Country, and there my heart dances. I just think there might be something in my bones that’s always loved heading in this direction.

So here we are. Out West for a few days in North Somerset, hoping that the sunshine lasts beyond what the meteorologists have predicted. Then, what do they know? They can’t even say why the clouds change colour.

West

My heart heads west

To the sea, to the shore

To the relatives who smile

Behind an old front door

To those uni days

And college ways

The youthful breeze

Of summer haze

Those long forgotten holidays

My heart heads for