A Walk of One’s Own: Virginia Woolf on Foot is available on the BBC Radio 4 website.
The four walks feature 15 minutes of audio from a sometimes breathless Alexandra Harris as she follows Woolf across favorite paths, accompanied by such guests as Woolf biographer Hermione Lee and Scarlet Baron of University College London. The walks cover Woolf territory in Spain, Kensington Gardens, Cornwall and Sussex.
Harris’s audio includes background sounds — of seagulls, waves, boots crunching on the path — all set off by references to Woolf prose.
As writer Michael Bird says as he accompanies Harris on the Cornwall walk, “I brought my copy of To the Lighthouse and suddenly it makes sense.”
Local history is part of the programs, too, as the walkers discuss such things as the age of the cliffs and the reach of the Godrevy Lighthouse beam as they traipse along.
They also describe the scenery — from the mica particles in the rock to the shimmer of the water — as they speculate about Woolf’s walking habits.
The bit I have listened to so far has given me goose bumps. But of course I am touched by all things related to Virginia and her crowd. I even liked Life in Squares.
Alice Lowe
Catherine
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I started with Sussex rather than save the best for last – having spent 2-3 weeks a year in Rodmell for a number of years where I looked out at Mt Caburn from a table by the window of my flat, traipsed the Downs day after day – I’m swept away, felt I was taking every footfall with Alex, revisiting much-loved places.
This is a great series–as usual for BBCRadio 4. But really intriguing with a good connection to Woolf. Highly recommended…
So true, Katheen. I listened to bits of it and will listen again. I want to meet Alexandra Harris! Maybe in Leeds?