Philip Thomas, Writer

Miles walked this month: 103

A tune for the trail

It was a pleasure to delve into the music and wandering life of Gustav Holst this month (see page 62). He ranks among my favourite composers. And if there’s one piece I could put forward as a soundtrack to the Gustav Holst Way, it has to be his early Symphony in F Major ‘The Cotswolds’

– a lament for William Morris infused with the hills Gustav cherished.

‘Thick, high and full of flowers’

As a child with unruly locks, ‘dragged through a hedge backwards’ was my signature look. But lately, I’ve been sticking my head in frontways (and not just to gorge on blackberries). Living history in the literal sense, hedgerows are fascinating and important. And apparently, they’re making a comeback.

Watch this space for a love letter to all things hedgy.

This way folks…

Aside from field boundaries of the bristliest ancient kind,

I’m always on the lookout for quirky signposts. This homemade specimen, with its Beano-style calligraphy, seemed worthy of sharing. Delightfully kitsch, eh readers?

Note to self: Keep rocking your bramble-combed (though sadly fast receding) barnet.