Prints £85 for A3 size
Word of the day: hodology – the study of paths, roads, tracks and networks (from the Greek hodos; path). In neuroscience, the study of the interconnections of brain cells and neural pathways.
– Robert Macfarlane
For several years I went to the Keswick and Borrowdale area of the Lake District. I liked it so much it never occurred to me to explore. One day after visiting Castlerigg Stone Circle, I took the road below Blencathra to drive down to Ullswater. I never forget seeing this unfold for the first time.
I liked Glenridding, Patterdale and Ullswater even more and for several years walked only there. I would arrive around midday and take a short walk up to Place Fell, the hill ahead in the video and to the right in my Conceptual Art. Then I’d walk down to the bed and breakfast. Mrs Beatty, who owned the farmhouse, made orange marmalade. For sale in the porch, the same deliciousness at breakfast.
I love paths. My picture is a gentle Lake District area where I transported Angle Tarn, reached the other side of the escaping dog, so you can see it. Even in the Pyrenees and Alps, I take photographs of paths.
I knew I wanted to use this photograph, from July 2013. It’s not a capture of great pictorial interest. But I liked the path, so it was the reason for the shot.
In the distance you see Red Screes and Brothers Water. There have been a few eagle sightings in the Lake District. There used to be stories about where they lived, rarely seen, but a long time ago. There are fell ponies at High Street, up and imaginatively left from this viewpoint. I saw a deer once in the ferny hillside above Brothers Water. I reached for my camera, and it was gone.
I find flowers on all my walks. There are primroses at the path beside Brothers Water. Primroses at Aira Force, further along the Ullswater valley, which is where I start the video. The path from there, down to the river, is like an ice rink in winter. The only way of crossing it without spikes or crampons is with a careful crouching shuffle.
The path to the imaginary rear, in the Conceptual Art, leads you above then down to Ullswater where you enjoy another path back to Glenridding. It’s an idyllic walk with fine trees at the end. Larch, which I photographed, although you can’t find a good viewpoint.