A short walk, two tired people and one not so tired dog.

A canal bank walk so that it easy for the people, whilst at least exercising the dogs senses.

Starting from the confines of a car park, the dog was stretching her legs on the long lead in preparation for the walk. No such thing for the people as they pull on their coats, lock the car and prepare with some reluctance for the off!

What is it that dogs can smell and we can’t? Flitting from one side of the path to the next, nose to the ground, a quick look up to make sure that she was still on the lead and then back to the ground.

Tail up and wagging, energy in abundance as she sees a duck and makes a dash for it, into the water goes the duck and on the brakes goes the dog, no way was she going to get wet!

Pouncing into the long grass at the opposite side of the path to the canal she ‘grubs’ away looking for whatever she has smelt, thankfully bring nothing out but her wet nose she trundles along intertwining between our legs bringing us both together as she tries to tie us up.

Untangled and tail going again, she crouches down as a larger dog appears on ‘her’ path, looking and scurrying around with the long lead getting more and more entangled, owners giggling as I try to untangle and stop them hanging themselves. One dog has had enough as it emits a large ‘gruff’ sound so she gets up, shakes, looks at me and walks on. Trying to say goodbyes as the dogs are pulling in opposing directions creates another fit of giggles as we both wave and let the dog have her head.

Now into a nice walking pace, the hedgerows with full blossom and bluebells in the tree undergrowth, tall grasses and unrecognisable flowers emit a scent even we can smell as the dog decides to pounce in and investigate. Have you ever seen a dog pounce into a wooded area with flowers? As she ambles in her paws seem to have eyes as they lift that little bit higher to miss the heads.

A canal boat chug chugs along, smiling owners peer out from the cabin smiling and waving, a good morning from the man on the tiller and a bark from their dog as the boat glides along leaving almost no wash to disturb the banking.

Fishermen with the long fishing poles withdraw them rapidly as the boat arrives. We jump over them just as rapidly as they go in front of us walking the path, a ‘mutter’ from the fisherman about spoiling things for them is ignored as we wander along, wondering what will happen if some bicycles come flying around the bend!

On the opposite bank a series of ‘barge boats’ are tied up against new landings, the colours are almost rainbow like as their vivid hues brighten the somewhat drab colours of the banking.

Large trees span the canal and with their canopy of leaves provide shelter from the sun.

Birds nest in the trees looking down on the going on of the world below. Smaller birds fly next to the trees at the water line feeding on the small flying insects. Ducks with their newly hatched ducklings paddle away on the canal, the mother trying to keep her brood together as she proudly displays her offspring.

The water, which is never clear, reminds you of primeval soup, you look expecting to see creatures of all shapes and sizes breaking through the water and crawling up the bank as they join their position within the chain of life.

Along the path bridges appear, walkways only being on one side make the tunnel beneath the bridge seem out of alignment. Getting closer you see vertical poles on the bridge edge which rotate, it then becomes clear that the path is really a tow path and ‘rollers’ were there to prevent chafing of the rope hauling the barge by the horses. Seeing this visualises yesteryear as the ‘bargees’ went along their way, quietly, no roar of engines in the background just the sounds of the water rippling as the prow of the barge ploughs its way through. An atmosphere can almost be felt of one of tranquillity as the scene emerges in your mind, and then wonders at the hardships the families who rode the ‘barges’ had.

A seat appears and a rest is taken wild flowers and grasses are in abundance as the sun looks down. No mechanical sounds are there, just the birds and the water lapping enhancing a relaxing mood between all. Except for the dog who after its whole minute decides enough is enough and there is still lots to explore.

Time moves on as the sun tacks its way across the sky, time to return. Paths never look the same on the return journey and many things can be seen that were not apparent going the other way. A trick of light or with the background being different it’s hard to say, but you cannot help but be enthralled as it makes it feel like yet another walk – two for the price of one!

The same hedgerows are investigated again as the dog continues its investigations along the route back to the car. Within the hedgerows small triangular stones are seen detailing the distance from the two ends of the canal. These stones would have been laid when the canal was built to show the ‘bargees’ how much further they had to go, it’s a pity that these are allowed to be hidden by the wild grasses.

Rounding the bend finds the fishermen still there, there poles almost at the other bank, a large windbreak umbrella shielding them from the sun, a table next to them holding a myriad of different coloured floats and little bowls of maggots. At least this time there was no muttering aimed at us as we walked past.

The walk ends and the dog still has plenty of ‘go’ within her, but the people, well lets just say that that was enough, for now!