Mapped above is the route of a week long walk I will be undertaking in June, linking up the estate landscapes and medieval route-ways of the three case studies of my PhD research: Llanthony Priory, Llantarnam Abbey and Tintern Abbey in the southern Welsh Marches. The aim is to contribute to the 'walking as deep topography and PhD fieldwork practice' that I outlined in a recent blog post, adding a linking and overarching narrative to the more localised walks I am undertaking within the three case study areas individually.
Chuck Berry at his topographical best, using tight wit and pathos to describe an epic journey by bus, train and aeroplane from Virginia to California in 'Promised Land': I left my home in Norfolk Virginia California on my mind I Straddled that Greyhound, and rolled in into Raleigh and all across Carolina
Stopped in Charlotte and bypassed Rock Hill And we never was a minute late We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown Rollin' out of Georgia state
We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle, Half way 'cross Alabam' And that 'hound broke down and left us all stranded In downtown Birmingham
Right away, I bought me a through train ticket Ridin' cross Mississippi clean And I was on that midnight flier out of Birmingham Smoking into New Orleans
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana Just help me get to Houston town There are people there who care a little 'bout me And they won't let the poor boy down
Sure as you're born, they bought me a silk suit Put luggage in my hands, And I woke up high over Albuquerque On a jet to the promised land
Workin' on a T-bone steak a la carte Flying over to the Golden State Oh when The pilot told me in thirteen minutes We'd be headin' in the terminal gate
Swing low chariot, come down easy Taxi to the terminal zone Cut your engines, cool your wings And let me make it to the telephone
Los Angeles give me Norfolk Virginia Tidewater four ten O nine Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin' And the poor boy's on the line
