keith's ramblings

.

I confess to using this week’s Sunday Scribblings prompt 'Milestone' as an excuse write a story in which I can show you some pictures I took a few months ago in the countryside near my home. I hope you’ll forgive me my little indulgence!

You may wish to listen to Sheep May Safely Graze whilst viewing. Although Elgar wrote much of his music in celebration of the landscape in this part of England, I feel the piece I’ve chosen by J S Bach captures the feel of the area just perfectly. Simply click on the arrow.

Meet me at the milestone


Meet me at the milestone he said. Just lately things had been difficult and after months of slowly drifting apart they’d reached a crossroads. Which way to go? 

(click on photos to see far more detail!)

They walked uphill, slowly, heads bowed in silence. The only sound was the swishing of the long grass under their feet and the songs of birds hidden in the bushes, unseen.

He bent down and plucked a bunch of purple flowers. As he offered them to her she pushed them away. He tried tickling the end of her nose with the bloom and she was unable to stop the merest hint of a smile.

On the brow of a hill they stood in silence and looked towards the distant blue sea. Between them and the ocean there was nothing but undulating slopes and rolling golden hills.

They came upon post and wire fence. Beyond it some curious sheep raised their heads and stared at them for a second or two then quickly became disinterested and returned to their meal of lush downland grass. There was a rickety wooden stile and she allowed him to take her hand as she climbed across. They continued their stroll towards the sea hand in hand but still a word had not passed between them.

Suddenly the white chalk cliffs came into view, strung out like Mother Nature’s pearl necklace. They walked down into a dip and at the cliffs edge they climbed down to the pebble beach. They’d reached the end of the path, but they’d reached it together. 

Standing at the water’s edge they threw stones at the waves drifting towards the shore. They slowly turned to face each other. Words weren’t necessary. The milestone was a distant memory.