Do you jog? Do you take part in marathons? No? Me neither. It’s my idea of, as someone once said of golf,  a good walk spoiled. When I walk I want to amble along at my own pace, enjoying the surroundings whether that be town or countryside, there’s always something interesting to see. When I used to take my children out and about I would always encourage them to look up. Too many times we consider what is at eye level and don’t look any further but when you look up, past the huge shop windows you get a sense of the true architecture of a building. Up above the signage are the Victorian windows , the curved gables, the dates carved in stone. There is a sense of timelessness above the shopfronts  that escapes the march of time below. I begin to wonder who lived there when it was first built, who lives there now? Who is looking out of their window…and why? Who are they looking for? Questions, questions, questions!

Sometimes we hurry along on our journey, focused on getting to the end as soon as possible but there’s a lot to be said for meandering now and again, exploring other avenues, other vistas. Sometimes on these little escapades you come back with something new, something unexpected. It can add a fresh eye to your writing when you start widening your vision. Why not go on a walk today, not for any purpose other than getting out in the fresh air, getting away from routine. Or if you’re out walking anway take a detour. You never know where it may lead you.