East Yorkshire, Wolds Way, connection to nature

From Staxton Hill I make my way across valleys of the East Yorkshire Wolds towards Flamborough, seeing for the first time the Beautiful valley of Camp Dale forged by the confluence of 4 springs, the landscape a sculpture of dynamic green earth which curves and flows like water revealing the fluidity of land. Natural energy flows through this place and reverberates from the Wolds hills into heart and mind, lost in the valley of ghosts and energy I walk alone, no one else around, the sky a blue ocean of air and cloud, horizon to the vivid green landscape as the rays and warmth of summer sun illuminates all.

As I leave the clear green awe of Camp Dale and head towards the small forest of Stocking Dale, a light wind blows forwards towards me as I follow the footpath which cuts through heavy brush land, across from me a movement catches my eye, I stop still with bated breath the hunters instinct deep within puts my eyes & ears to the test of their intended use.

Camouflaged against the valleys opposite hillside I see a parcel of deer, as my focus falls on them they become wary, heads upwards and ears pricked they scan the land, a tension exists between us both beyond ear, nose and eye, an awareness and caution rises in both them and I, as I become the hunter and they the pray, lost to my learned behavior but exists still in heart & soul, now stirred & awakened from deep within.

Instead of the spear or bow I raise my camera, “click” the faint noise of the shutter snap erupts to the deer like a thunder bolt across the land, the deer jump to action and spring to the cover of heavy bush, my heart racing a primal instinct awoken for a passing moment impulsed to give chase.

I stand there and watch them live and flee in this open environment as nature intended, the story of life, of instincts, chance and uncertainty, the story told as it unfolds before me of wildness and freedom and connection of all things.

No one else is around; I continue the walk into the woodland onwards along the Wolds Way