The centenary of Lauree Leeʼs birth today reminds me of the beautiful 7 mile circular walk I did with a group of Bristol Nordic Walkers earlier this year.
Slad, where Lee grew up, is in the heart of the Cotswolds and is less than an hourʼs drive from Bristol. Quintessentially English, the patchwork of grassy fields in the gently rolling Slad valley takes you back to a bygone era. Our walk followed the Slad Valley Wildlife Way, taking in four nature reserves, including the woods which featured so prominently in Cider with Rosie, Leeʼs autobiographical evocation of rural life. We ended our walk at the famous Woolpack Inn and had a memorably delicious lunch there.
The anniversary has put me in mind of two things: the first is to re-read Cider with Rosie; the second is to organise another walk around this pastoral valley. There is a new 5 mile trail which interests me. It showcases some of Lee’s poetry by way of a series of posts that each display an appropriate poem. I shall go and explore.
