Rambling Without Sight
I have been a walker for many years, mostly for pleasure, but also from necessity. When I left school at the age of sixteen, and started work at John Smedleys at Lea Mills, I lived at Wirksworth, and the bus fare was eight shillings and fourpence in the old money, so I walked to save money. I was born totally blind, but after many operations, I was able to see a little. But in later life, my eyesight began to deteriorate, and after some years I became totally blind, so it looks like I shall end my life as I began it.
There is one thing that has never left me, and that is the love of being out in the countryside; the whole space, the feel of the turf beneath my feet, the warmth of the sun, the song of the birds, the running of the springs, the wind in my ears, the baa of the lambs, the neigh of the horse, the moo of the cows, and the feel of the rain upon my face. One could go on forever more, and the list would be endless. But one of the pleasures I enjoy most is leading walks. I am a member of RA and have been for quite a number of years. I, with my fellow friends who are blind or visually impaired, are taken for a ramble by members of the Chesterfield Ramblers on the third Saturday in the month. The walks are usually about six miles, and each of us has a guide to partner them.
I have been asked the question, what does a blind person get out of rambling, well quite a lot, possibly more than a sighted person, because a sighted person uses their eyes to enjoy the beauty of the scenery. As a blind person all my other senses come in to play, so I think that over all, I would say that a blind person goes home after a good day’s walking feeling more rejuvenated than his sighted companion. On the other hand, the question should be put to the guide, what do they get out of guiding a blind person, as there is usually a ratio of three sighted guides to one blind person. I mentioned earlier that I enjoy leading walks, that is quite true. I have been invited by the South Staffs Ramblers whom I have walked with, to lead a walk next May. The walk I have in mind is one of my favourites. It is a ten-mile walk going from Crich to Holloway, on to Lea, then to Dethick and over to Cromford, along the canal to Whatstandwell, finally up the hill to Crich.
Keith Fearn
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