Every weekday morning since March 2020 and First Lockdown, I have strode out of my house for a brisk two mile walk round the neighbourhood. I don’t wear earphones and I don’t do errands, I say hello to dogwalkers and joggers. It’s good for my health, both physical and mental.
I am amazed how much wildlife I see in the ‘burbs, but even
so, after two years, the ritual is a little weary.
I’m a big fan of Peaky Blinders and the new series inspired
me to enliven my tired routine by using the Tommy Shelby walk - head down as if
marching vigorously into a strong wind.
Okay, I was wearing a cagoule so it wasn’t quite as visually
striking as Shelby’s billowing great-coat…
And I had a bobble hat instead of a flat cap.
Unexpectedly, however, I spotted some things I wouldn’t
normally – with my head lowered to face the coming storm, I saw the places
where people had guerilla-gardened verges near their home. I appreciated the optimistic tete-a-tete
daffodils and the purple crocuses.
In reacting to the daffodils, I felt I should stay in character
as Tommy Shelby but was unsure whether he would fully have appreciated the blooms.
After long consideration, I adopted his gravelly voice and muttered
‘Look Arthur – effing flowers.’
