Inspired by the heart-warming tale of love and resilience in “The Salt Path,” we invited our OS Champions and Staff to reveal special routes that are filled with meaning for them. In this post we hear from Laura Bailey who works in our Partnerships Team.
Finding Solace in Nature’s Renewal
A few years ago a very dear family friend passed away. He had been an ever present figure in my life since I was 18 months old and played a huge part in my love and understanding of the outdoors. He was a farmer, with a deep connection to nature and his land and animals.
In my eyes he would as hardy as they come and I thought he would go on forever. But he didn’t and when he passed away I was desperately sad. It was very early spring, and I needed to clear my head and sit in the sadness of him not being with us anymore. So I took some time off and head off on this route.
As my feet covered the ground I couldn’t help notice the signs of early spring, bluebell leaves appearing, green shoots threatening to push through. I stopped to sit and think on the viewpoint at Bargain Woods knowing how much he would’ve loved this spot. As I descended to the river side you emerge from woods to fields. In the first field I came to was a very early spring lamb. Tiny, fragile and utterly adorable.
The freshness of new life reminded me that the circle of life will continue. And then I knew that even though he wasn’t with us anymore in person, in every new born calf or lamb, in every shoot of spring barley or harvest time I would always feel his presence.
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