Billy and I set off as soon as it's light; these days at about 8.30 am.
The first thing I do is to give the horses a few Cabbage leaves (Cavolo nero); they've almost come to expect it and they now wait for me at the top of their field.
Then up past a small Chestnut wood, and up further into a big Chestnut wood. It's here where Billy usually spots some Deer, or a Hare, and tears off chasing them into the woods.
It's a beautifully peaceful spot with row upon row of mature grafted Chestnut trees. We see where the Wild Boar have been digging overnight, as well as the flattened Badger tracks where they've been out foraging.
I look at fresh Molehills and Boar diggings to see if any treasures have been excavated.
From the plantations, we go up onto a track that runs through the woods. Here we might see Pine Martens, birds of all sorts, red Squirrels, and hunters in their Day-Glo attire; they are always friendly.
Soon we're back on the road by the water tower, and we descend towards our tiny hamlet with Billy back on his lead. If anyone is around I stop to chat, then home for my second coffee of the day.
It's about a 25-30 min walk, and although we do much the same every day, I never tire of it. There's always something new to see, or do.
Sounds idyllic. The familiar we "never tire of" is comforting, never boring.
ReplyDeleteThose horses are lucky! I love Cavolo Nero.
Our sunrise similar to yours, except that in England the clocks show as 0730 hrs.
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It's true, the countryside is always interesting, and one always notices something new.
DeleteIt sounds like a a very pleasant walk, especially in nice weather. The horses look small.
ReplyDeleteI was standing on slightly higher ground!
DeleteSounds like an interesting way to start the day.
ReplyDeleteAnd we do the same thing every day.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to start the day. Our daylight begins about 7-7.30. Yours is really late at the moment. You have. almost, inspired me to get a dog. I'm sure my walk would be more interesting with a companion, who doesnt talk.
ReplyDeleteWe now have horse on my route. Everytime I say I'll bring a carrot or an apple and then forget. Maybe today
Are you on the same time as us, or with the UK? I know that Morocco is the same as England.
DeleteA little while ago someone (henacynflin on WordPress) posted "in praise of the boring walk" about repeating the same walk regularly, making the point that it isn't boring at all.
ReplyDeleteI have about 4 regular walks, and never find any of them in the least bit boring, or even repetitive. Every day I see things as if for the very first time.
DeleteIt is a good way to start the day. Without overstretching yourself I am sure that those morning walks really help you to maintain a decent level of fitness and how wonderful to observe so many signs of wild animals.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a great start to the day. I doubt if I'd have the same amount of exercise without a dog.
DeleteI sounds such a lovely walk - I am green with envy Cro My hip has healed well but because of our awful weather I have hardly been out of the house - maybe only half a dozen times since I came out of hospital - snd there is snow today and all weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe're very lucky being where we are. Unspoilt countryside all around us, and we walk where we like. No restrictions.
DeleteI like your philosophy. There is always something new to see. Sadly, some people forget to look for it.
ReplyDeleteI've lived here for 47 years, taken the same walks for most of that time, yet still find it fascinating. I'm very lucky.
DeleteI too usually head out early for my walk. While I live in a city of 3 million, we have a lot of green space, parks & ravines and I live next door to all 3! I often walk through the large cemetery that is just up the road and yesterday I saw 3 deer wandering around in there - they are known to nibble at the flowers and greenery left on the graves! They were so beautiful and didn't seem to be bothered by the walkers stopping to take a picture or two. It was a lovely way to start the day.
ReplyDeleteWe have rather too many Deer here (Roe Deer). The hunters reduce their population a bit, but there are still too many. Billy loves to chase them, but doesn't much chance of catching them.
DeleteI remember passing that water tower when we used to cycle up through your hamlet; it was quite a steep hill to climb.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many steep climbs there seem to be when you're on a bike. They never seem so bad when you're walking.
DeleteThis week the only way on earth I would go for a walk in the vicinity of my house (with not a blade of shelter from the freezing gales) would be if I had to exercise a dog. I'm still not tempted!
ReplyDeleteIt's actually quite nice here; morning temperatures of about 10 C, although we do need to dodge the occasional spot of rain.
DeleteI have cut 1.5 kilometres of path out in our meadow... the perimeter is the 1K.....it takes me 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour to walk... without camera. 2.5 to 4 hours with camera.... from end to end without stopping is actually less than 10 minutes.
ReplyDeleteAs you say....
" There's always something new to see, or do."
Just now I walked round one half of the front garden [in front of the longere] looking for Spring activity.... took an hour!!
Our Daffs are in bud, and showing signs of yellow, Spring can't be far away!
DeleteWhat a wonderful walk with all the animals you get to see.
ReplyDeleteDoes Billy touch noses with the horses ?
They just look at each other, no more than that. They have a friendly 'understanding'.
DeleteHat is a great way to start the day.
ReplyDeleteAnd I shall be doing the same thing again in about 3 hrs time.
DeleteI have no idea where you are situated in your time zone, except you must be far west for it to be first light so late. On the other end, your days are light late into the evening.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the handouts to the horses.
It's getting light earlier now, I could probably go out at about 8.15 am, but it would still be half-light.
DeleteI've been reading through the Miss Read Thrush Green series and I enjoy the scenes when the characters take a walk. I live in the country, farmland and fields. I won't be walking down (and up) our gravel roads until it warms up again. Here in Nebraska, Middle USA, it's cold and snowy with frigid temperatures coming Saturday and remaining all next week. I usually walk the field edges but they are covered in feet of drifted snow. That only leaves the treadmill in the basement. *sigh* Next week. Thank goodness for audio books!
ReplyDeleteIt's now 5.30 am, I've only been up a while. I did pop outside with Billy just to breathe fresh air and it was 10 C. Quite pleasant for February.
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