Ditto with Dee and Maisie

27th July 2014

    Hot already, Dee, Maisie and me left Bedgebury Cross and walked the Hawkhurst Moor trail. The Great Lake today was as still as polished silver and the world was reflected in its waters. There were cows with calves in the field above the lake, so we took a wide birth along the edge of the field, as Maisie would only antagonise them, and she was kept under close control. Up at Three Chimneys, our path was blocked by an open gate, secured with rope. We unhooked the rope and replaced it after walking through. It must have been like that for a particular reason; we were taught as children: leave gates as you find them. So we did.
   It was much cooler in the forest and any water Maisie found was lapped up and sat in. There was a funnel web of a Labyrinth spider among the grasses and purple Loosestrife by the path, and we watched it scuttle into its lacy funnel. Last week's mud was by now firming up and the going was firm. On top of the hill out of the forest there was a sign at the lane to Tanyard Farm: "Road repairs. Access closed to walkers and horses and cyclists from 24th to 29th April". We ignored this as it was Sunday and no-one would be working. Maisie went back on the lead to prevent her running herself ragged chasing pheasants; they were everywhere again. She was constantly trying to pull Dee's arm out of it's socket, pulling this way and that in an endeavour to nab a pheasant. And downhill I couldn't keep up until we were through the farm and into woodland away at last from the birds. In the valley where Trenley Gill runs through from springs close by, Maisie laid stretched out with her belly in the water to cool down while we waited and we cooled down in the shade. The brook chuckled and giggled as it went on its way and so did we.
    Away from the wood, rather than take Maisie through the pasture of suckling calves, we diverted through Siseley Farm. As we approached a cottage there, Maisie chased a cat which leapt on her back, and dug in his claws; there was a yelp! Then puss escaped up a tree and all the while Dee was admonishing Maisie.
    All was calm from there to The Moor and we took breakfast in the shade on the green. St Lawrence's bells were chiming and church goers bid us good morning.
     The temperature was an unhealthy 26C when we made our way back through orchards and wheat fields and Lacy Wood cooled us a little. Then finally, we were back in Bedgebury Forest. We stopped for a break at Louisa Lake and watched the dragon flies darting and fish rising in the murky, still water, but we were shaded and a gentle cool breeze picked up.
    Towards Iron Latch, at the way side, a myriad of insects fed on nectar from purple Scabius. A Peacock settled and graciously allowed us to take its picture. At Tree Chimneys, a lady stopped us. She said that she lets out her horses early. She saw us go through and was concerned that her horses would run us down as they gallop to their pasture, but this morning they were lazy. I said that we didn't see anyone or the horses and that explained the open gate. A lucky escape! Again, we skirted the cow-pasture by Great Lake and up the meadow to Bedgebury Cross, the Adonis Blues danced merrily in the lazy air and at last we were back at the car.