Over the past year I imagine I have explored every nook and cranny of the allocated 5 km radius of our home here in Inchicore. In the early days I set out with the intention of trying every road and street to see were there as of yet undiscovered places worthy of interest. I found new routs, shortcuts and streets but over time my walks have become more routine with my favourite places being those with the most greenery and the least amount of people. This works also when I can lets the dogs roam freely and mostly uninterruptedly and leaves me time to ruminate.
There is something distinctly restorative and therapeutic about being out in a green space. Of course in the city you have to take this where you find it. Parks are great but sometimes I long for something a little wilder and not looked after. This requires a little more searching and sometimes a lot of compromising in terms of what might be considered green or wild. Sometimes a shift in perception of beauty and focus will reveal something new. For instance there is much beauty in dereliction and in neglect and as an example I might suggest really looking at any unkept space in the urban environment and see how quickly mature takes over. Listen to the birds here and see the growth of seeds quickly reclaiming little pockets of soil and quietly going about their natural cycles.
The other blind eye that dose need to be turned is to the filth of our lives polluting everything and everywhere. Although getting into the habit of occasionally bringing out gloves and a refuse bag to collect some of the endless supply of plastic bottles, take away containers of various styles and flavours, bottle tops, cigarette packets, beer bottles , etc. It dosen’t even dint the enormity of it but it helps.
Over time familiarity leads to noticing the little peculiarities and oddities of the landscape, knowing which birds are where and learning their calls and songs. Proper identification is less important than noticing. I would say this too of plants. Notice and learn they're natural cycles before investigating the scientific understanding. This is then a daily practice of visiting and spending quiet time watching, listening, smelling and feeling. It refreshes our own perceptions and lends a new layer to our understanding.