It's a dog's life ...

I am not a doggy person. Those that know me know that I am not a doggy person, and most dogs that I know of, know that I am not a doggy person either! One four-legged friend that has however grasped my attention this weekend is wee Tinkerbell (Or Tink) to her owners! Tink is a cross cocker-springer spaniel, with at most times more energy than a 1000 watt lightbulb would know what to do with! However, Tink took everything this weekend in her stride, and even managed a mid-Sunday morning nap as she basked on the chair in the morning sunlight in front of the window of the ex-farmhouse we had hired.

Tink and I first met properly yesterday when I stumbled through the door of the farmhouse as the light finally faded, and strange shadows danced across the walls. I was truly ... shattered, having walked some 8km in under 2 hours through deep snow and freezing fords. The walk up the the Shank was one that was not anticipated, but was the only way to get there since the Land Rover was stuck in snow on the top track. Tink took one look at me, my hat and then hid under the table for the next 10 minutes. She probably made a good choice!

The situation was not an ideal one, I was stood in the doorway, looking like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards and I was literally, steaming! In hindsight I should have probably decided not to venture out at 4pm from Alwinton to walk the 8km or so to Whiteburnshank in Kidland Forest. (Come to think of it I probably shouldn't have ventured from Blyth knowing that there was no 4wd vehicle to collect me at the other end, as it was stuck in snow!) However, the thought of catching up with friends I hadn't seen in such a long time was a significant draw!

As I stood on the village green at Alwinton gazing into the boot of the car, I wondered what I should take with me onto the hill. It was 4pm. The light was fading fast, and the weather was about to take a turn for the worse ...

I decided to ditch the vast majority of the contents of the hold-all I had packed (expecting to be collected by 4wd!) and started stuffing esstential items into my day pack. I would have to travel very light as the time, weather conditions and physical space were all against me! So, I packed a sleeping bag, spare trousers in the guise of a pair of themal pj bottoms, a bar of kendal mintcake, waterproofs, first-aid kit, and of course there was all of the photographic equipment I'd piled into the boot (Camera, tripod, and accessories) that I had expected to use, and didn't want to leave in the car. With some careful packing, I had enough space for all of the above, and the bottle of wine I had packed for us to share with our curry! (And if was to break my leg in the snow, at least I would have some sort of anaesthesia!)

In a few hours time, I would be up at the Shank and I set off steadily up the hill. Already now the clouds had gathered and shed their watery load. The evening light had stilled to a golden haze, illuminating the green-brown hillsides in a shaft of light. It would not be long before it was dark so I quickened my steady pace into more of a yomping stride as I cut off first up Clennel Street and then down towards the tree-line of Kidland Forest. As I rounded the hillside I could see the inclement weather approaching and for a time wondered if I had actually lost my mind. Just a few minutes later I was the answer to my own question as I launched head-long into a sleet storm which reduced the hillside to an icy blur.

Twenty minutes later I had reached the tree-line and welcomed the shelter of the forest. Although it was dark, there was evidence of life in the form of footsteps, which was comforting, and I pounded the track. I was surprised at how light it still seemed to be as it was now approaching 5pm, especially as there were still icy fords to cross. As I rounded the corner, 2 deer sprang onto the path. Absolutely amazing to see, and so graceful. The pair were to cross in front of me a number of times as I journeyed on.

I managed to cross the first ford, though not without getting my feet very wet, and the landscape completely changed. I was now surrounded by trees, and trekking through snow that was over ankle-deep. I knew I still had a 3 or 4 kilometres to go, and snow this deep would only slow me down. I was tired now, and the dazzle of snow against the fading light played strange tricks with my eyes, and even my mind! Step after step became harder as the snow became deeper, and each corner I turned was a reminder of how far I still was from my destination!

There is much to be said about the journey ...

I was tired now, and wondering whether I had made the right decision. The evening light had now faded to an inky-purple and I was aware that very soon I would be walking in the dark, alone. I couldn't move much more quickly than I already was. I was also starting to panic. I had a torch, but "If only!" I prayed. "If only it could stay light enough for me to get there!" It wouldn't happen, though! It was a grey winter's day and we hadn't seen light beyond 5pm that week.

What seemed to be a lot of hard work later I turned the final corner and the confines of the forest opened up to the exposed hillside above. I recognised the building and the lights. Amazingly there was still light in the sky that illuminated my path ... It was 6pm.

So, maybe a lesson here to be learned from Tink. Find rest, trust God and take it in your stride!