Trip to England, Part 8: Pathways

A lazy post as summer winds down and balmy evenings with a glass of wine in hand encourage the mind to wander down all sorts of paths.

The Northwest has any number of excellent paths and trails, some easy and many grueling, but unless you live in the country you pretty much have to drive to them or otherwise seek them out. And "No Trespassing" signs abound, even on beaches (except in beautiful Oregon, where the state had the wisdom long ago to ensure that the ocean shores would always be accessible to everybody--no matter what walk of life you come from, you can still walk by the sea).

What I love about England is how you can go out for a stroll in a town and happen across a public-footpath sign that beckons you to veer from your intended purpose and go for a tramp across a field.

And we usually did.

Truly, who could resist the urging of this sign?

Footpath, Burnham-on-Crouch

This particular path led first through a field of rapeseed and then opened up as it meandered through a  sward with views of the harbor.

Turning around and going the other way leads into a woodland.

Complete with bunnies.

Other well-trodden paths:

Chalk path, Avebury

Avebury Stone Avenue, a processional path 4,600 years ago

Path on Glastonbury Tor leading to 600+-year-old St. Michael's Tower

There is, of course, a path back down.

Path to St. Peter's on the Wall (654 AD), Bradwell-on-Sea

Path once led to 3rd-century Roman fort of Othona