On September 9th, 2022 I had the pleasure of rambling with the wonderful Clare Balding. “Winner of the BAFTA Special Award and RTS Presenter of the Year Award for her expert coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Clare Balding is one of Britain’s leading broadcasters.”
That’s what Clare’s website says…and it’s all true! But to me, Clare Balding is the sensitive, knowledgeable and ever-curious presenter of Radio 4’s Ramblings, where she joins “notable and interesting people” for a walk through the countryside.
Well I’m possibly a bit interesting but definitely not notable. So how did I get onto Ramblings with Clare Balding and Maggie Ayre, our super sound recordist??!
Nature, Grief and The Email
One day back in June I was sitting in my garden listening to Ramblings. It’s always a great listen as Clare is able to describe each walk so it feels like you’re actually there, whilst simultaneously having fascinating conversations with her guests.
At the end of the show the announcer says that they are interested to hear from listeners who have a walk that may be of interest to listeners. Straight away I march to my computer and began to write. Not only because I want to meet the amazing Clare Balding but also because I really do have a walk that has immense significance for me.
This is the email I wrote:
Hi there
I was listening to Ramblings today and the continuity announcer said we can write in with our suggestions. So here’s mine!
This is a West Sussex walk I discovered in the 1st lockdown when my Dad was in hospital with Covid. The walk takes you from Chichester via the cycle path to The Trundle: a high point where you have a 360° view of the south downs and the sea as far as Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
In the April of the 1st lockdown, when I was desperately trying to get messages to Dad in hospital, this walk was my lifeline.
I was then living in inner city London and couldn’t believe that people could actually live somewhere as beautiful as this. My darling Dad died and this walk continued to be my daily solace. Seeing all the new growth, walking through the lambs and listening to the birds helped me to accept the natural order of things and reminded me that life survives in new forms.
That was over 2 years ago and I never returned to London. I still walk to the Trundle and always thank it for looking after grief-struck me.
Best Wishes, Harriet
The Ramble
5 weeks later I am taking the walk with Clare and wondering how she can look at a cluster of blackberries and talk about a tumbling cascade of deep purple fruit. Clare notices tiny details in the landscape and creates poetry on the spot! She’s amazing and I’m completely in awe of her sharp mind, her focus and her vitality – must be all that walking!
Later when I get home I have that sinking feeling. You know the one you get when you got really drunk at a party and you’re wondering what the bleep bleep you said and how many times you put your foot in it. Thing is, I was so nervous that I’m not at all sure what I said…tho’ I’m pretty sure whatever it was was probably delivered at top speed in a frantic voice.
Either way I hope you can tell from this snapshot that this really is a beautiful walk that I am still so grateful for. This landscape nurtured me through my grief and gave me a place to cry, write poetry and wonder at the beauty of life.
Listen to My Ramble With Clare Balding
You can hear the show on Radio 4, Thursday October 6th at 3pm UK time
Or catch up after that date on this and other episodes here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006xrr2/episodes/player
Do The Walk!
Here’s a map of the walk!
You can watch a video I took of the route on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/JXYFob3SVZU
Miles: 7
Difficulty: Moderate – hilly
Time: 2.5 hours
Happy ramblings all and don’t forget to leave a comment!