Two dogs!

12th May 2013

Mr Robin Redbreast woke me gently this morning. The stars are strangers to me now. The Sun was very bright through the kitchen window as I prepared myself and Poppy dog for our walk, and Dee arrived at 7am with Maisie. We introduced the dogs to each other and they ran in frantic circles, uncontrollable for several minutes until they were put into the car. Then they sat very quietly and looked at each other suspiciously until we arrived at Ightham Mote and continued the madcap racing. They finally settled down after a couple of kilometres and became firm friends.

Up on the Greensand Ridge, at the place where the Ransoms grows, it was in full bloom and if you squinted, it could be snow, it was so thick with white flowers; a great expanse through the wood.
A Turtle Dove called, so rare! A few times; the low throaty warbling. And then it stopped. Just when you want to hear some more. We tasted leaves from Jack-by-the Hedge: first garlic, then mustard. A little bitter, but tasty.

The air was clear and the horizon, south, bright and sharp. At the granite bench above Underriver, we caught our breath after the climb and approved of the view.

Before we entered Knole Park, Dee went off for a pee. She was followed by Poppy and Maisie. Poppy wanted to sit on her lap! Dee had great difficulty executing her objective!

In Knole, we stopped for breakfast. Poppy didn't want the huge bony chew purchased for her, so Maisie had it. It dwarfed her somewhat! Poppy went on the lead and pulled like a train, all the way round. I was such a relief to leave the park and enter the woodland! The deer in the park were sunning themselves out of the cool wind. The Parakeets were screeching up at the north end.

Poppy was back on the lead until Bitchet Green, pulling my arms out, and then to a second break at the Ridge. Poppy wanted to sit on my lap, and Maisie wanted Poppy's chew which Dee gave her. It was all I could do to rescue my coffee!

The Buzzards were out here, a favourite spot for them to search for grub. It was all downhill now, pretty much, to Shipbourne and back to the car. On the way, we thought that Maisie could teach Poppy to jump stiles as she is the expert. She failed abysmally, fell off backwards in shame and Poppy jumped in fine style!

A final coffee at the Mote and the dogs were ready to go home.