Rambling Man

posted in: Life in UK | 4
Look closely, you can see the trail that leads to the silver gate that crosses the train tracks, that leads to another trail that wanders to the far treeline, and eventually to my house.
Look closely, you can see the trail that leads to the silver gate that crosses the train tracks, that leads to another trail that wanders to the far treeline, and eventually to my house.

Several months ago I roomed with a Brit during a conference. It was then I received my first language lessons in English.

“When you go hiking it isn’t called hiking, it is called rambling,” he said. “You go out for a ramble.”

I had just finished a “ramble” the next day when he saw me and asked what I’d been doing. “Rambling about,” I offered with my finest redneck British accent.

“No!” he shot back. “You Americans are all alike. Rambling is hiking. Rambling about is talking incessantly, which I’ve gathered you are quite prone to doing.”

More humored than offended, I decided that at least now I’d have a clear understanding of the difference between the two words. Now that I’m on British soil I’ve officially begun to ramble (although those I work with – including my most recent former colleagues – will no doubt know that I  quite often ramble about!). I’m a Rambling Man (Okay, had to work that in so I could link to one of my favorite Allman Brothers songs). httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WGVW7byRCA

Now that we’ve moved into our house, I have countless places to ramble. The image above is taken from a hillside looking back toward our dwelling, which is hidden behind the trees. The cool thing about all this property is that it is private, but there are public pathways that cut across all of it. About two miles from our house up the hill is a church whose bells echo through the valley on Sunday mornings. I’ll post pictures of that church when I: A) find a way up to the thing and; B) get in shape enough to get all the way up the hill.

In the meantime, here are a few images of signs along one of the pathways.

Mind your dogs!

British Hedge Fund

Follow the arrows

Right now equals about $1,600
Right now equals about $1,600

4 Responses

  1. ShawnMarie Frazier

    I’ve never laid a hedge before…I wonder if its painful?

  2. Wahokia

    Years ago a colleague of mine on an extended trip to Great Britain learned not to introduce himself as “Randy” and quickly became “Randall.” If you don’t know why, ask when you’re rambling and have an opportunity to ramble about.

  3. Kristi

    Way more than jealous. Positively verdant with envy.

    It’s so beautiful! I’d be rambling too!

  4. Chris

    ShawnMarie, on the hedge, I think they laid an extra number of gorse bushes. They always cause problems for Whinnie the Pooh and are beginning to be a thorn in my flesh…literaly!

    Kristi, I can tell you there is always one more pathway. They are endless.

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