My walk this week is a one way walk across our local marsh to the old St Teilo’s churchyard. I have walked this route many times before, and posted about it, but on this occasion the marsh grass is taller than I have seen it for several years – and they are my favourite aspect of the marsh.
Bending as it does in the wind, and curving round to see the sun, it appears to me to be dancing – a busy chorus line of uniform activity responding to the elements and singing in their dry rustley voices as the breeze shuffles them together. Below I have included a sound clip of this rustle which, if the volume is up, can sound a bit like running water – it is, however, the dry tickety-ticketing rustle of the grasses moving against each other in the breeze.
Marsh Grass Rustle
The soundscape for this walk is more complete. The sun was shining through the tall, dry, wind-blown grasses and the tide was low, revealing the muddy banks of the river. The M4 motorway formed an aural backdrop but when I sat by the river, behind the old churchyard wall, much of this disappeared and the ambience of the open space became calmer.
Marshes Churchyard Soundscape
Click the play button above and then the first image to listen and look through the features of my walk this week.
Another delightful walk, thank you, Alastair. I was awed by the first recording of the grass sounds, the grass blowing in the wind. It does indeed sound like running water. I’ve never heard anything like this, enjoyed it immensely. This first recording was good, because when it came up again in the second recording, I knew what it was. Sometimes it reminded me of pine trees in the wind. I always like the creaky gate sounds, several here, and much appreciated. In the U.S. we either have private property or public, so there aren’t as many gates as you have there in Wales and other parts of Europe. But when I do come upon a gate on the path, I always stop and listen now, due to your recordings. Also really liked the photos of this beautiful churchyard, especially the moss growing in the iron-patterned walk, the horsehair on the fence, and the river and rocky riverbanks. A true pleasure, thank you, Alastair.
I love your feedback Jet – it is always so good to hear how you have enjoyed my posts (as do I yours). The churchyard is a favourite place of mine – the church itself was removed stone by stone and restored at St Fagans Museum of Welsh History. It had spectacular murals on the inner walls. Despite the road traffic nearby, the churchyard has a wonderful sense of peace about it.