6th May - Day 48 - 'Amidst thy desert walks the lapwing flies, And tires their echoes with unvaried cries.' Oliver Goldsmith

I woke up this morning to a garden covered in hailstones and as I set off there was still a winter chill in the air. By the time I got to Owlerbar, however, the sun was shining, my fingers had warmed up a bit and I caught, out of the corner of my eye, the distinctive flight patterns of two lapwings. I didn’t want to miss out on a photograph, so I cycled right round the roundabout to stop.

Not wanting this to become a wildlife blog, I thought the main picture better be of a landscape, especially as the rain at the weekend has made everything look greener. But - I have also included a picture of the lapwing in flight. I accept this is not a very good shot, and Louise has since said it just looks like a crow, but at least recognise the effort?

The Goldsmith quotation is from his poem ‘The Deserted Village’, written in 1770. It includes some vivid description as well as a political commentary on the decay of the rural landscape and life, due to what he suggested was the rich people’s pursuit of further wealth and luxury.

‘The man of wealth and pride, Takes up a space that many poor supplied; Space for his lake, his park's extended bounds, Space for his horses, equipage, and hounds: The robe that wraps his limbs in silken sloth, Has robbed the neighbouring fields of half their growth’ (The Deserted Village)

Goldsmith does give an idealised view of village life, which like today often forgets about rural poverty, isolation and homelessness, but at the same time, he does explore the responsibility of the rich for the poor and the importance of community. 250 years later and similar issues remain, though in different contexts and literature, comedy and all types of media remain and are often a source of political commentary.

250 years on when questions about poverty are still being raised and I’ve now cycled over 1400 miles, it seems a good opportunity to also let you know, we have so far raised £3337! I really am so grateful to everyone who has been so generous in sponsoring me and also to those who have promoted the 30th Anniversary, including Jenny Eells from Radio Sheffield. If you missed the interview, you can find it by fast forwarding 2 hours and 39 minutes at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09f6pg4.

Remember when you look at the photograph - It’s not a crow!