Silence
of a Water Pathway – south path along the Fossdyke Canal
This
is a walking venture, there and back - an experiment in consciously
sifting your awareness through the soundscape and finding silent
space in between various sounds.
The
path you listen along is a secluded corridor between slow moving
water on one side with an array of floating vessels moored or
chugging by almost at walking pace. On the length of the other side
trees and greenery hide a train line and with a rhythm of creative
exuberance, plots of land claimed by the folk with boats moored - an
assortment of handmade sheds, gleaned belongings, other vehicles, and
a few chickens.
The
silence as you walk the towpath is in the slap of water on hulls,
stink of diesel smoke, shimmering willows with their feet at the
waterline, a kingfisher fishing, whistling swan's wings, and
especially the chat and laughter of people in a community of their
own making.
Notice
sound as it comes to you, unfolding and refolding as you walk along.
Train roar may emerge and be gone – emphasising the returning
silence.
This
is the oldest canal in England still in use, since around 120 AD. It
connects the River Trent with the River Witham.