The Golden Hour

Yesterday evening, for various reasons, was the first opportunity I had to enjoy a walk in this season at that time (around 6.30pm).

Having dropped my son off to an after-school activity, I entered Roundhay Park, albeit from a very different entrance; right on the other side too, where I am used to. I knew there was a path that would lead me to the lower lake, but I also saw that with the abundance of new spring growth, and the abundance of trees that had fallen down in winter storms, it was not easy to find my way.

However, I confidently headed off, with Bamba, feeling that surely we both knew the park well enough that we would be fine and be able to pick up my son after his allotted hour.

No podcast, no music, no chatting to anybody on the phone, no one else in sight at all, phone in my pocket.

And yet, I was so deeply in my own thoughts, and enjoying the deep greens, and dappled sunlight in the woods, that the emergence of the abandoned summer house totally took me by surprise. It was as if it had been hiding, and only when I was literally almost on top of it, did it spring out of the woodland landscape and present itself to me.

It was an awe inspiring moment.

I took photos as you can see, and then I continued on my way, only to realise after 10 minutes that I was actually back at the car park where I first started: I had totally lost my bearings and although grateful that I now had a landmark, I still had half an hour until my son's class was over.

So off I set again, trying to concentrate more on the path in the woods, feeling like with Hansel and Gretl, albeit without the breadcrumbs, to mark my way back.

I reached the lower lake which greeted me with sparkling playfulness.

Wonderful.

I breathed deeply.

I said the prayer for bringing me to this new experience. I also hit 'Live Video' on Facebook and recited another short blessing for this time of year between two important Jewish festivals. I ended the live recording (which you can still see on fb: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1164389014276320&id=585780340) and walked back up the way I came.

Except, it wasn't really...

Oh dear.

Then, again, here was that delightful, playful, abandoned summer house! Great!

Then I realised that I hadn't exactly known my way back to the car park last time, so why would this be any different?

Oh dear.

Then, I looked back at the summer house and a couple and their dog were walking merrily along. I didn't want to disturb them, but I really needed some help in fettting my bearings.

I apologised as I interrupted them to ask if they could help direct me back to the car park from which I came, which they did. I thanked them, apologied again, and wished them a wonderful walk on this glorious evening.

'Oh yes,' replied the lady, 'we will, it's the Golden Hour!'

Oh yes, I thought to myself as I walked away, it truly has been a golden hour, in more ways than one.