Tuesday 1 September 2009

Walking with Nella

My parents never learnt to drive. My brother and I walked most places. Trains and buses were used occasionally.
I am grateful to them. It taught me to enjoy the fresh air.......to observe, to look and listen.......

Most days I walk Nella.......I love to be out and about with her. She is good company......and my loyal companion. She sniffs the air........


the cows are used to her. Nella ignores the cows.



The hedgerows are dripping with fruits. I picked some damsons and ate them as I strolled........
The haws are ready for the Redwings and Fieldfare, they will arrive in a few weeks....they come every year. Flocks of them in the hedgerows.........
Lots of food for the birds......rosa canina has produced many hips.......
This is my favourite oak........I think the collection of branches make such a wonderful piece of artwork.......I would love this tree in my garden........
Beautiful seedheads decorate the verges .........finches will flock to them....natures food store.
We start to walk home......I could hear bells jingling........we see many ponies and traps in the summer. The horse looked uneasy.....Nella does not like horses, but usually behaves well. I pulled her to the verge........the horse was skittish and started to head towards us (no photographs, I was a little worried). The horse got way too close for comfort and Nella was starting to bark......it all got a little messy. I know the gent in the driving seat.....no 'good mornings'....we were both busy trying to keep the situation under control. At one point I was thinking of jumping in the ditch..........lol
Once I stopped shaking I took a photograph and noticed the sign on the back
CAUTION...........BREAKING IN. I walked back down the lane with a smile.......Nella and I were strolling along as though nothing had happened.
Mr P always says if you walk away from a situation 'forget it, and smile'.
Soon be home Nella......time for a nice cup of tea........

27 comments:

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'm glad the horse minded his manners and Nella also. I know young horses often get upset over nothing.

The hedgerows around here are full of wild grape which will ripen soon. It's a plentiful season for birds.
Marnie

Rose said...

Such a lovely place for taking a walk, Cheryl! I have to drive Sophie if I want to walk her any place other than on our farm, can you believe it? But the road in front of our house is so busy that it is almost too dangerous for me, let alone her. But we do find plenty to discover here around the farm, and she loves to chase butterflies:) Glad you avoided a disaster with the horse; perhaps the driver should have had a bigger sign on the cart to warn pedestrians!

Liz said...

Lovely photos, and so much fruit Cheryl... I think this year may be a bumper year, certainly the brambles around here have had masses of berries on them...

I may just join you in the cup of tea, right after my dinner has digest... I'm a little stuffed... hee hee

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie.....it was lucky really....the horse was not happy. Nella was easily sorted fortunately.....but I must say I was more than a little scared, too close for comfort......

The hedgerows are full of fruit.....plenty of food for birds etch.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose......the road outside our house gets a fair amount of traffic but once I turn into the lanes it is generally quiet.

I am sure that your farm is perfect for Sophie.....plenty to chase and discover......

I think I was very lucky with the horse Rose......it could have been very nasty......

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz....it is certainly a good year for plums and the like.....

Milk and sugar??

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

That's some adventure! But... what are haws? I also like walking, btw.

Liz said...

Milk and sugar would be fantastic, thanks!

An hour later and I've finally got my cuppa... Only after doing the ironing and having a shower... Hmmmm perhaps I left things a little too late?

naturewitch said...

HI Cheryl

Those damsons made my mouth water - could almost taste them. Hopefully, we'll have plums soon. But I always find the late plums the sweetest.

Such a beautiful walk for you to take with Nella. It was very soothing just to look at your photos and the glorious avenue. xx

o2bhiking said...

Hi Cheryl - sounds like a fun, and at times, exciting walk. Thanks for taking us along. Taking an interesting walk is one of my most favorite things. If you want to see tons of photos from my hike Sunday (the "triathlon") you can see them at my "Oh, to be hiking!" blog:

http://o2bhiking.blogspot.com/

Art

beckie said...

Cheryl, so glad you weren't hurt! Isn't it unusual for a horse to be aggresive? Mr. P is right though, amile and go on.

If I had lanes like yours, I would walk(no laughing now!). Such beautiful scenery. That oak is a work of art. I would love to see Lisa draw it.

A cup of tea after such a stroll sounds lovely-but what about Nella?

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I have never seen damsons or haws before. They are beautiful fruits. I can just imagine the panic you and Nella felt with a pony and cart coming toward you. I am glad you are safe.

marmee said...

dear cheryl,

i am so glad that nothing happened to you and nella or the horse. life can all change in a second. i like mr p's outlook..."if you walk away from a situation 'forget it, and smile." and that's just what you did.
other than that your walk looked so inviting...hedgerows...verges
...damsons...all somewhat foreign sounding...but very intriguing.
it's great that you have nella as your walking companion. we love to take our dogs out for a walk.
lovely september.

Gail said...

What a wonderful place to walk with Nella~~picking fruit and seeing the hedges seeded up for the birds. There is a sweetness about your part of the world that isn't found here. At least that I have seen. Our back roads are not safe to walk; people are still too in love with cars and speeding.

The sign might have been better served to be in front! Glad you and Nella are ok!

Thank you for taking us a long.

gail

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Well Cheryl, this certainly was a very enjoyable walk with you and Nella.

My father learned to drive when he was over 40 so for most of my childhood we had to walk, cycle or take the bus, tram or train.

Cheryl said...

Hi Naturewitch....the damsons were very sweet....I picked blackberries and ate them .....almost like a second breakfast......

Cheryl said...

Thank you Art will pop over at some point.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie.....The fact that they were breaking the horse in.... plus Nellas barking, may have spooked the poor creature. I shall watch out for them next time.......and make sure I am well out of the way....

Cheryl said...

Hi Marmee......damsons are a very small plum.....sweet and juicy.....I love them. They are a favourite for jam making.....

I love my walk with Nella....I always find it invigorating......

Cheryl said...

Hi Gail....the other side of the grass is always greener, don't you think?
I love where I live but like everywhere, there are problems.....nothing in life is perfect is it. I try to make the most of what I have and where I live......
I suspose I tend to see the sweeter side of life.......that is what makes me happy.....

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
It could have been very messy indeed!
Nella is a darling....glad all worked out in the end, no one hurt and all back in order.
Autumn looks to be in full swing! Those hips are huge. I would be tempted to pick a few for tea! Nice bird food.
Thank you for taking us along on your walk.
Happy September.
Sherry

Chris said...

That was a close one.

ShySongbird said...

What started as a peaceful walk turned into something more scary Cheryl, I'm so glad no one was hurt!

What a beautiful Oak tree that is, so sculptural, how much it must have seen over the years, if only trees could talk!

The hedgerows really are most bountiful this year, something has suited them, perhaps all the rain last year.

Your lovely photos made me feel I had shared your walk (without too much of the scare!) I hope you and Nella have a peaceful rest of the week :)

Wendy said...

Well, I am glad you didn't end up in the ditch! Mr. P is so wise. I like his philosophy, so gentle and down-to-earth.

I spent the day walking too in the clean, fresh air. It was wonderful. The sky a clear blue, the air warm. I am glad you grew up with healthy habits. Makes life more enjoyable, doesn't it?

What a beautiful oak tree! Is it male or female? (in your mind). Have you a name for him/her? I like to name trees. I have Lady (a lovely triple twisted trunk maple that shades our back deck), Grandfather Oak (I wanted to name him Grandmother Oak, but realized that all my other trees were female, so I changed it to Grandfather and really, it suits him better).

The damsons look yummy. Your larder is well stocked for the birds this fall. I'm sure they will enjoy being nutured in your garden.

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry......autumn is here....we have strong winds today and heavy rain showers. The leaves are falling and blowing around the garden. Summer should return at the weekend.....we are apparently warming up again....poor wildlife....how confusing for them......

Cheryl said...

Hi Jan.....I certainly had a bit of a scare....the horse was very spooked. They look so big when they are galloping straight at you.....no wonder Nella barked.
Still all turned out well.....

The old oak is a stunning tree....at this time it looks so healthy.....I am sure it would have many stories to tell. If only trees could speak....

Cheryl said...

HI Wendy.....how delightful, naming your trees.....

I have never thought to do this....but when I walked today I studied her and I think she is female.....her branches twist in all directions.....perhaps just like a woman, the many paths we follow.....

I am pleased you are finding time to walk in the sunshine......the colder weather will be upon us before we know it. I walk Nella all seasons....not in heavy rain though(I am not that keen).