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"Just look over the fence " she said . I crossed the road keeping my distance and looked over into the pond. There she was. A beautiful coot mother sitting on her nest . I would not have noticed it at all if I had stayed on my side of the road . The lady on the other side was kind enough to tell me about the nest . The bird just sat there and watched us out of the corner of her eye. .
My new friend said she walked at different times of the day. The light was different. The sounds different . She needed to get out as she worked from home. She even walked at night when the moon was rising . "Spooky and atmospheric it is " she said. But it turned out she had seen the most beautiful of sunsets . She took photographs and sent them to friends who were not able to get out . She made notes about the changes she saw as Spring moved gently to Summer . We talked for a while . It was good to share our stories about lockdown. We both agreed that the peace we
found walking was wonderful. Day 90 and 90 walks undertaken. Who ever would have thought it? Not me .
Roll back a few hours and I was lying in bed with my mind turning over all sorts of thoughts . The topsoil was down , the plants watered and tomorrow I planned to go to Alfreton . I was in search of another milestone . This one I had noticed before. Well looked after and announced the obvious - Alfreton 0 miles away. The conflicting evidence from the government had been coming in thick and fast . Still more stories about schools opening , I mulled over in my mind how this would work. .Desks spread about classrooms . Would the old system of the single wooden desk with the inkwell suit better than the tables they use these days? Children starting different times. Lunchbreaks staggered. Fines being issued to travellers who had travelled too far for comfort . Bikers are on the road travelling miles to get away. We are told a cure is just around the corner . Just when you feel that things are improving then we are told a cure is years away. We might
have to live alongside Covid 19 for many years .
The sun was shining as I woke and I was still thinking too much . It looked as if it was going to be a nice day . A day of T-shirts and shorts. A day where you could sit in the garden . A day when it was a pleasure to walk . It was hard to believe that it is the 5th month of the year. Another two weeks and we will be in June and in just over 30 days it will be the longest day . It will be all downhill after that .
The Lido was empty. No fishermen today .Is fishing a weekend sport ? I bumped into a lady walking through the woods . The crisp smell of Wild Garlic filling the air. She asked how to get round the pond . She wondered where I had come from .
I was heading for Stubbing Court and the Great Pond . My route would take me up Bole Hill and down the other side . The reverse route would have taken up Bole Hill and down the other side just the other way round. Up Malthouse Lane to Salem Chapel . The chapel still closed . A sign saying that there would be no services for some while . The hedgerows were full of Honeysuckle . Pale lemon and pink . The sound of the bees buzzing. It has such a wonderful smell . I found myself stopping every so often to bend down and sniff .
It was a lovely walk and I was enjoying every minute of it. Passing the sluice gates I arrived at the pond and my conversation with my new friend . What would the rest of the day turn out like . Tesco Vouchers turned up. We have most of the cost now to cover a trip to France at Christmas should France open up and allow us in . Tomorrow we are going to sit in Gabby . It is "sit in your motorhome Wednesday "
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