By: Blonde Two
B1 and I have been well overdue a Dartmoor walk for some time now so on Saturday we filled our flasks, donned our new OS waterproofs and swung our rucksacks onto our backs.
We were exploring around Gutter and Legis Tors, an area we have camped and walked in before with our Ten Tors youngsters but not really explored in true Blonde, ‘What’s that over there?’ fashion.
We weren’t disappointed, we discovered sea views, river falls and fascinating walls. Accompanied by alternate hail and sunshine (with rainbows), this was Dartmoor winter walking at its best.
The day was filled with engaging vistas, but this one below was my favourite.
It reminded me of ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost (Thomas, the hero of my book ‘The Non-Story of Ignatius Bowerman‘ refers to it). You can read the whole poem here, but this is my favourite verse:
‘I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.’
That Frost poem seems to have become the outdoories’ anthem. My daughter teaches English and she “did” it with the kids. The layers of meanings are fascinating many of which are familiar to us all when we look back on our lives.
“I shall be telling this with a sigh…” Makes me think of me relating one of my anecdotes to someone for the umpteenth time half knowing I am repeating but unable to resist telling it again.
I probably annoyed B1 because I couldn’t stop reciting it. A poem that means a lot to me in my current ‘not teaching anymore’ state. Well done your daughter I say!