"But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;
or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you:
and the fish of the sea will declare it to you ...
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." Job 12: 7-10
When I am feeling weary of life indoors, in need of fresh air and and needing to shake off the dullness that can settle from being inside too long, I head out into the field behind my place and talk to Finn and Sharkie, the two horses that are currently residing over there. I find them to be a peaceful and a solid warm presence. Sometimes I just lean on the fence and stroke them. Sometimes I lean in and hug one of their necks. Animals have the most wonderful gift to give us. Their presence. Their trust. Their peace. Getting outside into the outdoors always does something to my soul. It feeds me.
Sometimes if I go out to visit the horses at dusk, Sharkie, who is a retired Irish race horse, with his tall muscular body and silver colouring, takes on the appearance of a Unicorn. With the moon bouncing off his coat he looks magical.
I was visiting Chilworth Manor a couple of weeks ago and it was the Alpacas that were drawing people. A whole herd grazing peacefully in the pasture were the main attraction. I watched people walk over, children curious, adults in need of a gentle reminder of life in the slow lane.
Sitting on my picnic rug reading, I looked up to see an elderly couple just standing together beside the field of Alpacas, hugging each other. It was precious.
Recently Country & Town house wrote a short article about how you can spend a few hours walking the Surrey Hills with a Llama. The photo below was taken on Blackheath. If you click on the photo you will be able to read the whole article. A gentle walk down country lanes, a pub lunch of risotto & nettles and a Llama for good company are the key to a blissful day spent outside.
Photo credit: Barmy for Llamas - Country & Town House
I have seen this handsome animal strolling down the lane in Shamley Green followed by a small group of excited walkers. Something about this animal seems to add joy to the journey.
Photo credit: Country & Town House magazine
So my advice to myself and to anyone else suffering from the inside blues ... get outside and hug a tree. Contemplate the natural world and if you are lucky enough to be near some animals, go and say hello.
"But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;
or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you:
and the fish of the sea will declare it to you ...
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." Job 12: 7-10
