We have been companions for 10 years, you rescuing me and me you, but now sadly it looks like our journey together is nearly over and it breaks my heart to have to tell people that.......
I haven`t been on-line or walking anywhere recently due to Willows sudden decline in health.
We have been travelling companions for a long time, trusting each other to get the other one home!
Even as a carer, Willow was one too, providing comfort to those who were terminally ill or those that just missed their pets and to see vacant eyes suddenly shine is a comfort even for her.
But as I write this knowing that she was only lent to me and that behind those sparkling big brown eyes she knew what I was saying and hung on every word.
I hope I have given her a good life and I hope she and you will be with me for maybe one last journey, going back to where we enjoyed our time the most, Weymouth and Paignton, walking small distances along the South West Coast in a couple of weeks.
I hope she will join me, it won`t be the same otherwise.............
Snow.
It makes for wonderful pictures but causes havoc to transport and health.
But whilst the 8 mile trek to work is good exercise, and not a sole about, I often think of the sausage sandwiches I once gave out to a group of homeless people during a worse time than this and wonder if they ever made it of the streets (like myself) or whether they are still out there waiting for someone else to give them a helping hand.
Even when I lived rough, I still somehow managed to appreciate the little things around - even now - and I still don`t feel the cold and there are days when I long to return to the open road, and go exploring again, but I work with people who need me and, more importantly, I need them, but for now I enjoy walks with Willow and the challenges that are ahead, but in my heart and mind when things get tough, I can switch of and go back to those days of walking and not knowing where we`ll end up or who we`ll meet.
Even now I`ll walk places many would not tread, for I don`t feel afraid, life is a journey.........
Willow enjoying a run around
The road that is normally busy is devoid of vehicles and its tracks, only animal tracks walking down the centre down of a dark and isolated lane.
No lights show the way and moonlight is different because of its orange colour and another planet dances its way around in the foreground of the moon (below, just to left)
The air frost (or whore frost as it is properly called) makes for the brightness of the trees from green to brilliant white.
Willow showing the way of playing in the snow!
After an untimely rest and the middle a spreading,
It was time to get out and start the shedding!
With Willow in tow, and leading the way
We headed out on a glorious winters day....
They were paths we had previously taken
Five miles of hard breathing and shaking!
As Willow strolled without a care in the world,
I observed with eyes pleasantly open,
remembering why I had enjoyed the many fields and undiscovered paths,
Where had I been this winters last?
Sadly not well, that is true,
My body recovering from winter blues,
But now the time for recovery and healing,
With faithful friend following and feeling.
If I am slow, She does not stray,
But watches and waits come what may.
She gently nudges her nose at my body pushing me on,
Willing me to play and make the journey home.
But I won`t let her down, it is good to get out,
I walk gingerly, there is no doubt,
But with faithful by my side
I no another year ahead with plenty of walking to be done,
I no i`ll get stronger and not feel sad,
Life is a journey and one to be had........
With some snow that has fallen,
It made for pleasant pictures
And with the shadows of Willow and me doing our sand impression,
It made me smile and a good walk was complete.
Happy New Year to one and all and lets have a good one with good cheer and friends galore!
Speaking which, we must be a faithful lot,
Watching our football team go from the top, to near bottom.
But we are proud black country lads and lassies travelling from near and far to watch our team play in Old Gold and Black, but we aim for days of glory, but for now a happy end to a seasonal story.
As we sit in a stand not yet built with pouring rain lashing down on us, we watch with great anticipation at the way they play. But we are not disheartened with the pouring rain as cheery songs ring around the ground, "We`re all getting wet over here!" And "Our spirits will not be dampened for we shall not be moved!"
We must all be mad, but do the Wolves Players and management know what support they have? They have the support and believe in us all, so come on lads give us some cheer, `cos were all here in our bin bags in good spirits, all us grannies and grandads!
"I`m not that daft, I`m sat at home by a warm fire, waiting for the wet ones to arrive and I can dream of long walks ahead and as it is my Birthday, I`ll enjoy a good drink and bring in the New Year!"
It is that time of year once again and guess who`s looking forward to the Christmas Dinner - Yep Willow!!
But for now she`s content with sitting by the fire on a cold Autumn evening (Winter doesn`t officially start until the 22nd of this month) dreaming of long walks and pleasant things to eat.
I know she would join me in wishing everyone a good and happy and safe Christmas xx
I did actually write a story, but only the headline was printed - typical!
So here goes again.............
We don`t live in a town or city,
We don`t have a regular bus timetable - every 2 hours and services are getting cut.
But what we do have is a very good shop which sells all our basic needs and a very good post office which serves a community in need..........................
SO WHY ARE THE POST OFFICE CUTTING A VALUABLE SERVICE WHICH PENSIONERS AND OTHER PEOPLE NEED IN A COMMUNITY WHERE THE NEAREST POST OFFICE IS 6 MILES AWAY?
Yep, come back to the UK and join a another ludicrous cutback fight!
Is it me or has the UK gone potty?
We have Lincolnshire county council trying to destroy the livelihood of a cafe because they are not happy with their seating and which is independent and not part of a chain, followed by the post office making cuts in communities
where it is essential.
Sadly it looks like there will be more fights ahead, but that's the Great British spirit, a good fight to the death!!!
In a land far from my own I have learned something many people haven`t been able to teach me, the true spirit of freedom and the true meaning of taking nothing for granted.
I am not a religious person - nor will ever be - but the spirit of the heart and a journey within oneself during this epic journey, I believe I found myself.
It all sounds a little far fetched, but when you have seen things that we seldom see (or don`t want to) then certain values are put into perspective.
I have witnessed the kindness of people here, no malice, just an ever increasing eagerness to give what they have (no matter how little) and ask for nothing in return.
Don`t get me wrong, Nepal is a thriving part of the world with its fair share of problems, but, whereas in the UK money is no object with benefits galore that many have (and shouldn`t) and money rules every household, Nepal`s money comes second and what they don`t have they`ll find ways to work and get it and work as a nation, not as individuals filling in paperwork and seeing how they can fiddle a system.
It should put our nation to shame.
In a world where poverty still thrives in some parts, Nepal has dealt with many conflicts and its own freedom but it has something unique and indisputable........ Its Spirit Of A Nation.
I had wanted to return here and I`m glad I have, it has taught me a valuable lesson, enjoy what you do and don`t let anyone turn you away from your dreams, grab hold of things that are important and not immaterial and learn to live without hate and anger,this Country and its People have given me a spirit within that never existed - thankyou.
