I am going to start and end this post with ‘hope’.
Paul speaking: ‘ Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering/misery/hardship namely tribulation, be constant in prayer.’ Romans 12:12
Out of the mist you came after a 25km run, your last km walking to cool down and take in the view. Windsor castle in your outstretched arms. George IV’s gateway right in front. Today you ran for Cancer research. Your Gran Stratford died at 72 from ovarian cancer and there are so many who experience living with the big C. On international woman’s day I am happy with what you have done. Thank you son.
This long walk of 4.26km /2.65 miles holds footprint memories of many different times spent along this road.
Brian and Dorothy, Roy’s parents lived in Englfield green three miles from the walk and we would often walk parts of it with the boys on bikes, skateboards and later roller blade skates. This was long before it became pedestrianised.
Mom, Norreen and dad Bill Stratford, my parents, came to visit. They found the straight tree lined flourish of green London plane tree and chestnut leaves above green lawns an exclamation of pleasure. It always was such a contrast from the golden long grass of land locked Africa.
At sunset there were the deer to see. They came across the walk to get extra food, their red muscular bodies carrying antlers, the hinds eager and faster to get across the ribbon of tarmac. There are about 400 deer in the park a spectacle to take in.
Then long before those times with a family those times when I first arrived in England and lived in the large Remenham house, I walked this road but never alone. I had Bonzo, the beagle, my only charge to take care of in exchange for our rent of a room. Then everything was new and savoured. The people their clothes, the castle walls and gates. It was all new in the best sort of way. I still feel a small amount of that same admiration and as light changes on the scene it sometimes feels just as grand as those times.
Our young boys were pushed in their prams and when determined to walk but growing tired went up on our shoulders, or backs to get a rest. Through the years there were our four legged friends. Purdy, Patches, Jacob and today Bess, our roan spaniel, ran beside us out in the mist of this March spring day.
The long walk, treelined and created by King Charles II between 1680 – 1685 connecting Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse Statue of George III on Snow Hill.
The inspiration for the long walk was the grand designs of Versailles. It provides the space for royal processions and it famously is seen filled with people and bunting. A wonderful place filled with memories grand and personal.
Maybe just maybe we will walk as a family together, its full length with joy and love. There is hope for tomorrow .
Paul speaking to end this post: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.’
Romans 15:13
‘May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live.’
Robert A. Heinlein
My wish for all of us.
Sandy 🙂