I might be a bit late in tomorrow

I commute from my home in the Staffordshire moorlands to Birmingham daily. Inspired by the views I see from the train I decided to one time walk the sixty or so miles instead – in aid of The Peter Pan Nursery for Children with Special Needs.

I’d expected the first forty miles to be hugely enjoyable as the canals wound their way through rural Staffordshire and spring burst forth with new green leaves, the pink of cherry blossom and the sound of birdsong always present. But I was astonished to discover just how peaceful the canals remained once within the M54 (and even within the M5). I shared the towpath with a heron around seven or eight yards away in the shadow of the motorway, saw another grooming itself on a bridge on the opposite bank within two miles of Birmingham’s city centre and saw bluebells (wild ones) carpet a wooded bank adjoining the railway line. There is undoubtedly ugliness here, but there is beauty in abundance if you look for it. The lesson I learned was I shouldn’t prejudge a walk; that there are wonderful walks to be had within city centres; and that an expedition of just four days can provide memories I am sure will last for many years. Adventures are there, as long as we remain open to them. Nick Lee, Stoke on Trent Nick wins socks