The Land

Pulling into the village I took the hard turn to the right just past the bridge that would lead me to my destination as the GPS told me I was close. The drive was easy, sun shining, only an hour. Easy to find. I craned my neck in the car not wanting to miss it; I had a pic of the entrance but I was excited and wasn’t paying quite close enough attention. Knowing I had passed it I turned the car around and came from the other side. Unbeknownst to me, creating a spiral in my approach. Then I saw they double row of trees and the green, green grass beneath with just a unit of tire marks to mark the entrance. Like a grand fairway, I turned in and started to drive in. The trees lasted only few seconds until the field opened in front of me. Grass covered with a drop in the middle, the first section was a flat plateau with a gentle contour leading up towards the tree line and a second plateau. To the left was the classic field fence with scrub brush and ragweed growing. The fields beyond stretch up the hill to the tree line at the top and another farm.

Driving down the little used track towards the tree line, my little car had no issues. I had expected mud considering the rain from the day before. As I got to the tree line I could see the fallen tree that I was told would bar the way forward. A friend was there waiting and together we bonded in friendship and tales as we tackled the fallen tree. We talked of ideas and experience and what we thought we could do with the land.

Once the tree was taken care of we went through the 30 foot tree line and entered the next feild.

Like the fist this was a contoured space and was dry. There is so much room in this space my mind repealed at all we could do. Literally anything. My friend and I continued our walk towards the next tree line knowing it led to the river. I looked for the opening that would lead down but couldn’t see it. As we drew closer it opened up and you could see the trail and the ramp from a quad that led down to the bank. Picking my way down to the bottom I finally lifted my eyes and saw the gravel bed of river stone from when the river runs high. Covered in small plants, you could see the channels the river had cut through but for now, it was low.

The bed of the river is a red sandstone with small pebbles. You can walk it in your bare feet if you're cautious. Spanning about 20 feet across, the current wasn’t strong and I took off my boots and socks. There was no way I wasn’t going in.

Stepping into the river on a hot day was like a fantasy. The water was cool and refreshing and I felt my spirit lift as I crossed the border from land to water. It was welcoming. We talked as we went and then drew out our water straws and drank straight from the river. Clean and cool. Lovely. Walking downriver you come to a sandstone shelf where the water cascades and I swear I could hear sprites playing in the waves. It’s simply divine. I’ll leave it to you to explore.

We made our way back up and met other friends and we chatted of the plans and possibilities. Our imaginations were free and everyone had a vision. Beautiful.

There is ample room for trailers, tents and hammocks. Celebration space and so much room that more than one group can use it at the same time. After years of efforts. Achieved.

So Mote It Be.