From Ten Minutes Away To Fifteen Minutes Away.

A ten minute walk from home became a fifteen minute walk from home. The steps outward, tentative.  Each step, delicate, unsure, nervous yet inspired with the knowledge of a further adventure. The pathway beckoned downward.   A beckoning for another day.  Just to the right, a hidden route, obscured by overgrowth.  I headed right,  An eager dog scurried ahead.

An open field of golden grass filled my eyes with hopeful vision.  

Houses in the solitude.  Rolling hills in the background.

We circled around and backtracked to the left, to the west, to view the north.  And to the north, two picture views of The Roaches.  Rocky ridges of such contrast with the surrounding countryside. 

Continuing back westward.  See how the greenery has become more pronounced.

Even more greenery.

A couple more panoramic views as we continue back westward.  Can you see the wind mill on yonder hill? 

We are nearly back to that original pathway.  An adventure that lasted two hours.  Two hours in my progress of getting back out there as I battle with ongoing exhaustion.  

Spot, the dog.  No, not a dog named, Spot.  Spot the dog?  Yep, somewhere in there is Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!  Can you spot the dog?

Looking For That Spring In My Step.

I'm still struggling with a relentless fatigue.  At least I'm trying to do something about it.  The effort is daunting.  The visualisation of  better times ahead, creates the catalyst.  The catalyst to have the determination to get out from under the duvet cover.  The duvet or doorway dilemma continues.  The doorway to the outside, to the possibilities of an energised spirit, embracing the great outdoors. The "klahanie", shall make me rise above the clouds of confusion.

I'm eating better, taking supplements, trying to get more exercise.  Although my blood tests have still not given a conclusive result, just maintaining a healthier lifestyle has got to pay dividends.  I admit that I've not been taking care of myself.  There's nobody to kick me up the butt.  Which means a virtual kick in the butt, from you, my kind friend, will most certainly inspire.

The past eight months have been months of great upheaval on so many levels.  Maybe, just maybe, part of my exhaustion is psychological.  I'm no longer in the role of single dad.  I feel useless and miss the times when my beloved son relied on me.  I suppose I'm experiencing "empty nest syndrome."  When the pain of such loneliness is at its most profound, I sit here as the sound of silence screams at me.  May the screams become a gentle whisper.

In my attempt to work through the exhaustion, I decided the purchase of a new camera might get me out there again.  I share with you a few photos of locations within ten minutes of where I live.  It's a start and may I photograph further afield.

It started with a ten second stroll down the hallway in the building I know live in.  The above view is of Leek, Staffordshire, England from a hallway window.  I shared the above photo on the Leek, Staffordshire Facebook page.  I'm amazed at the positive reaction I got on that Facebook page.

Across the road from where I live is Brough Park.  Just beyond the edges of the park is this pathway. A pathway, just ten minutes from home.  

There before me, just to the west, a vision of green, pleasant tranquillity.  

A farmhouse off in the distance.

More views to soothe my soul.

The sun began to set.

Time to turn back around.  Time to feel good about going out for an hour.  A significant event for this reluctant recluse

I realise you may be involved in the A to Z Challenge.  Thus, bearing this in mind, I have switched off comments.  I just want you to have a few moments to absorb the wonders I have begun to see through the photographs I share.

Back in my new place.  I gazed out the bedroom window and noted the moon.  The gentle breeze swayed through the trees.   Off in the distance an owl hooted its haunting song.  The creek roared below.  I'm getting there as the senses return.....