Into the hills

A gentle climb takes me up the common. Every ten steps I stop and turn to admire the views. Undulating hills wherever I look. The sky is blue, the sun is shining. I take a deep breath. What a glorious day.

At the top I just keep turning round and round. It's windy, and I steady myself as I soak in the views. Below me, the valley with its rolling hills that now look small. On the other side, endless stretches of moorland.

A pebbled track takes me up the next hill, water using the same path to course down into a steep valley. The track winds around the mountain, so I decide to take the sheep's advice and follow their tracks towards the top.

The hills stretch out as far as I can see and beyond, tempting me to keep walking to discover what's behind the horizon. At the same time, I feel I've arrived. There is no need to carry on. I'm out here, one with the land, not a soul in sight but my own. Birds are chirping, the sun is colouring the world, and life is good.