Almost a rambling walk...

Can you see the chutch tower? That's Oving that is. This is the walk that wasn't. A walk that is. Mainly a few minutes stroll.
Plan was to go for a ''proper'' ramble on Saturday as Miss Y who positively hates walking is at Guide -camp for the weekend. Miss E agreed to come and choose a 6 mile walk from the book below.

Now once in the car I realised I'd bought this in 1997, so it's a bit ancient and dates from the days- BC- BEFORE CHILDREN when we could do what we wished when we wished to do it. Ie country walks were possible. But we set off at 2pm on 28th May in the car to North Marston- via Quainton, because JJ had not listened to the instructions...It rained on the way and we almost turned back because Miss E had decided to come in a dashing Jack Wills coat and yellow converse boots rather than an anorak and hiking boots and JJ also was without a hood or coat.

Though we did both have the required rucksacks and maps.

After finding the start of the walk and crossing 2 fields we got to HERE and Miss E spies cows in the next field and thta was IT. Had to cease and turn back. After consuming choc chip cookie of course

Have to say it was fun because what little walking we did , we also laughed a lot and giggled and chatted a lot of silly nonsense.FUN.

We met a gent who told us Limoges cows with calf would attack us if we walked by with dogs. But we did not know if the cows in question were limoges... So we walked back to see lambs and shorn sheep again.

They ran when they saw dogs- even on leads.

Watching horses.

So much for my getting fiot enough to join the ramblers for 8 mile walks on Sundays....

We went to see the well.

Planned walk.

We made it to here.About a half mile or so? Pub was closed on our return alas so we were home again at 4pm.

CROCHET in the PARK

OK so here we are: 8th May and sunny with disco music just behind us and great bands and solos singing at the other end of the field at Elms Park. 3 ladies learning how to crochet from little ol' me....

That was early on- during the first 2 hours when it was still very quiet....

Miss Y was getting stuck in though....

JJ reading the Sunday papers.. Our view....

Lucy's been at the groomers- she looks so fine! Pips couldn't go due to her biting the grooming lady last time...

And Miss Y had a posh new bobbed haircut too- so very fine.

Rapeseed walk and a car-less May

11 days have passed since the rant and I have walked a lot on this path as I had no car and this is walking distance after passing the allotments and the chickens by the Rugby club.

It is soothing and re-vitalising when at home there's been much stress and sadness whle trying to cope/ live with the changing moods of a teenager. Much sleepless nights due to upsets and hurtful things that are hurled at one, apparently you have to listen to all of it and not answer back..... OOps , but I'm learning. Doesn't stop it hurting though. Nothing is good enough anymore, even when one tries very very hard, and then when you stop trying well..... that's even worse apparently. That's when you have to duck or plug your ears.

The texture and skeletons of this rapeseed have a strange etherial quality that have a kind of beauty. So ''spikey'' and yet full of seed and therefore full of promise for the future? Just like a teenager, perhaps?

3 out of 6 TMAs now submitted, PHEW. Two annual appraisals that have gone exceedingly well.

Visiting old friends in Northern Ireland next week, but still feeling very tired, kinda exhausted.

'Twas awful being car-less for over 2 weeks but hiring one- though scary- proved to be an excellent adventure: especially the nice Vauxhall saloon I drove to MK.
Actually the job has been grrreat and the trips out given much pleasure including visiting Loop in Islington, Anthropologie in Regent St, both Liberty and JL in Oxford/Regent st( but dissappointing for yarn) , Masons in Abingdon( on the way back from Newbury) - a true yarn paradise- and last but not least the South Bank in glorious hot sunshine( yesterday) with a beach hut exhibition and inspiring books at Foyles. Also was impressed by the 100's of police from the Met sitting in their vans on the embankment/ Westminster quay . I guess President Obama was visiting Parliament at the time. Huge crowds waiting to see him....

Not me, rather watch this wild poppy.

Only a few yellow flowers left now but my eyes and nose are still streaming every morning.

On this walk the flat earth gives you BIG SKIES like in Holland. Impressive cloud-scapes.

Even on cool late afternoons the dogs seem to think this is a ''hot'' walk? Takes about an hour?

Tongues are always out at knee level on the way back.

At the end of the path- where it turns right and warns of aggresive maternal cows-with calf, there is a little stream. I imagine ratty and moley living there. Waiting for Toad of toad hall.

Sometimes it's quite breezy.

Both dogs just love the smells there but can't reach the water to wade or paddle.

And then we turn back and wander home again. On the way I dream of a white home, high ceilings, white walls, large clear spaces, no clutter whatever and either silence or music. Cupboards from floor to ceiling hiding all ''things'' , views over hilly countryside and a flower-filled garden. Patio with comfy sofas and swing seat and a huge basket of yarn for crocheting.

Floor to ceiling bookshelves with books, shelves and sofas are all white, floral chintzy or wide royal blue striped curtains. Everything shiny and clean and clear waiting for life to be lived within it's large airy spaciousness. Quiet. Neat. JJ and I retired and enjoying ourselves, kids away at Uni. Tidy everywhere. Dogs that lie happily in large white whicker dog-baskets.

The only colour is us, some fresh flowers and the cushions on the sofas. It's like someone has tippex-ed out all the rubbish, WHITE, ALL WHITE........