My plan for the day was coffee in St Albans, lunch in Harpenden and arrive in Luton by 4pm, and everything went to plan! There was no more mud after that early field, and the final stretch to Luton was along an old railway line cycle/walking greenway so I didn't need to look at my phone for navigation which helps me get in a flow which was useful for the last few miles on such a long day.
On the outskirts of St Albans I said hello to a woman walking a couple of dogs and she replied 'hello, you look well' It was a surprising response but nice to hear. I told her what I was doing and I think that surprised her!
The route between St Albans and Harpenden passed through a lovely forest, I felt slightly annoyed that I had to do a little bit extra walking, because at a point where I was working out which was the most direct path to take, a dog ran up to me and I just started moving quickly down a path. The owner saw my face and said 'don't worry he's friendly.' I get this quite a lot and I really don't mind dogs, I like them, it's just when one runs up to me barking, I don't know it's friendly and the owner doesn't know I've been bitten and it can trigger some fear. Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I just move on.
After the forest I was walking on the edge of a field right next to the railway line. I thought about Ro being dead and experienced pain that felt like it was in my soul. I let out a couple of silent screams, let the tears flow and then stopped walking and watched a bird of prey gracefully catching air currents over the field. Then a train passed at high speed and I was aware of the stark contrast either side of me - loud, fast and peaceful, calm. I was thinking about how to reach a place of peace and calm in the noise and chaos. Being outside in nature definitely helps me.
I arrived at a coffee shop in Luton just after 4pm with very solid calves and a sense of achievement. Lyn who I was staying with was there already and jumped up, gave me a hug and bought me a drink. It was after my 3pm coffee cut off so I had a fruit tea! I know Lyn through peace activism, particularly protesting at DSEI the London arms fair. At Lyn and Peter's home I dried my boots, carb loaded with spinach, mushroom and tofu pasta and talked about activism and the peace movement.
I was thinking about the protests and actions I've been involved in and how even though Ro and I shared the same hope for a world of peace, equality and freedom from capitalism, it was a lot easier and safer for me as a white person to act on these hopes in a direct way. Ro's courage and determination as a black man to participate in peace activism through supporting direct action where there was heavy police presence, must be recognised.
This post was delayed as I fell asleep while writing last night!