Procession and the act of walking.

Procession and the act of walking.

Last week I led a group of people in a procession up the ancient Salt Way, to mark the change in season, celebrating the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. A day when the daylight prevails and darkness is scarce. The path we take, The Salt Way was a trading route which has views out over Whitstable Bay to the north and the remains of the ancient Northwood of Kent to the south.

Path through the broad bean harvest.

We gathered together at the base of the path, for The Salt Way is interrupted here by the 'Thanet Way' passing over it and gathered ourselves together too. Greetings subsided, chats were finished off, candles for lanterns were lit and we got in line and looked up towards the tree tops on the horizon at the paths summit.

Looking across to The Blean.

Then in order of the colours which we had chosen to wear for that evening, we started to walk. Slowly and mindfully. It doesn't take any longer than 10-15 minutes to walk up that section of the Salt Way and for the affect it gives to those who process along it in this manner, time becomes something else. To walk in a procession with others is a process in itself. Walking slowly is something that feels so powerful, so simple and yet so unnatural amongst the busyness of the 21^st century that I feel we need to practise it all the more.

Midsummer sunset.

Walking at this pace becomes a conscious physical process. Aspects of it such as judging distance, poise of movement, understanding the surface to be trodden on, all play on, along with a constant silent narration keeping up the momentum; 'one side heel...ball of foot...toes, use a small push to take you forward, balance out with left foot heel...ball...toes..'

In doing so a gentle awareness is brought to the regular motion and complexity of this everyday act. Thinking of the feet and their mark on the earth, thinking of those who had all walked before us up this ancient path and all those who will walk here in the future is a very grounding occupation.

By the time I reached the area we were planning to stop and sit in I felt quite different, somehow calmer and more aware of my surroundings. I tried to keep a slow pace that didn't create too much wobbling off balance and the effect of the sun setting behind us casting our shadows into a procession walking alongside us added a wonderfully strange emphasis to this magical moment in time. Up the path through the fragrant broad bean crop we walked slowly one behind another with our shadowy companions.

Fire circle at top of hill.

At the top of the hill, we stopped and sat, gathering around a tiny fire. The home-made sea salt that we had held in our hand as we walked mindfully up the path was now thrown onto the fire with our blessings as dusk finally arrived.

Up there we spoke of our gratitude to have been able to make time to mark time, in this way, at this place on this significant day, Recognising the deep connection we have with people and place, we watched the sun sink lower creating a most beautiful sunset and slowly walked back down the hill.

Walking home.

Our mid year Summer exhibition, will be over the weekend of the 15-16^th of July. So, not long now for us to mount and frame some work, print out cards and other smaller pieces and get some last minute painting done too! (For there is nothing like a deadline to focus the mind!) The doors of the studio will be open from 11-4 on Saturday only when refreshments will be available and all are welcome. The address is 'Lucknow', 67 Northwood road, Tankerton, Whitstable, Kent. CT5 2HB.

Detail of drypoint etching print.

Also for your diaries I will be opening the doors of my beautiful straw bale studio once again this year to exhibit my own and Alison’s work as part of the Canterbury Festival, the theme is still 'The Spirit of Place' and is an ongoing art project based in Kent.

You can keep up to date with our explorations and discoveries by looking at www.facebook.com/EastKentSpiritOfPlace

First woodcut ready for printing.

Open times are 11-5 daily on the weekends from 14-29^th of October. We can be found at house number 25 on the Whitstable trail. Please see the webpage www.ekoh.org.uk for more information.

 I can be contacted on 07432679164 or clare@people-to-place.co.uk