On Sunday morning, 9th November, there were nine of us (plus 2 canines) who set off from Honister to join a busy footpath to the top of Great Gable.
Dave, Donna and Ellie, Linda, Cath, Dolly, Steve, Matthew and me.
We did not ask anyone's permission to walk.
We chose our own route at will.
We did not need to apply in advance for travel permits to leave York.
We were not required to carry identity documents and we were not subject to any checks or searches.
We are free from disease, malnutrition or significant want.
Things could be otherwise, and in two minutes' silence, we could remember our gratitude that they are not, and our sadness at the cost of keeping things safe.
In the occasional shaft of sunlight, a return route along Moses Trod gave us some excellent views over our green and pleasant land, looking down Ennerdale and Buttermere.
Back at Honister, we repaired to the sign of the Dogged Driver (aka Steve's camper van) where Matthew had thoughtfully laid in a "themed" variety of bottled beers........ Spitfire, Lancaster Bomber, and Broadside were on offer. I chose a Jennings "Cumberland" for myself, on the basis that it formed a fitting legacy of the other three.
ANDREW
