Posting day: Sunday, and, sometimes, maybe, extra bits in between.

 Sunday April 26th 2020  

Tuesday 21st: Highbury Park

Although it is very chilly, we have an idyllic walk today.

We set off from the front of the car park, across the flower meadow, and over the little bridge. We walk up the main path and past the Italian Garden as far as the fork in the path. Turning right, we walk out into the clearing between the beech wood and the pine avenue.

Isis chooses the pines, and plays there for almost an hour before walking up to me and indicating that she’d like to move on now.

I take her over to the edge of the beech wood where she plays contentedly for two hours. As she plays, I sit on the fallen part of the old oak and jot down observations about the three walks we’ve had so far this week.

Wednesday 22nd

Today Isis is very resistant to walking along the main path, so we tussle our way up to the High Street end of the park.

It’s a while since we came up here, and, as usual, once we arrive, Isis is very excited. I guess that a multitude of creatures has visited the area since we last came, as she spends a long time sniffing up and down the base of the tall hedgerow parallel to the High Street.

When she’s investigated all the scents, she comes over to me to check that I am still there, then dances off to the little bramble track where she cavorts merrily.

The sun is gradually climbing, and each time she emerges from the shade, she is outlined in a glowing golden halo.

Thursday 23rd

We have another wonderful time in Highbury.

The sun is out again, and we struggle our way round the corner to the second meadow. This is always her default playground when she’s given her head; nevertheless, the sun makes her cautious, and instead of running down to her brambles, she waits for me while I walk over to the dog bin. 

She runs along the edge of the wooded area for a while, then I take her up through the orchard to the top woodland path.

She leads the way, pausing every now and again, waiting for me to catch up with her. Each time, after a reassuring pat, she trots on, snuffling to the right of the path, snuffling to the left, ducking under low branches, circumventing plants, stopping to munch on a tuft of her favourite grass.

We’ve not been down the slope behind Highbury Hall since the winter morning when I slipped on the mud and landed face down. Today, the slope is gloriously dry, and we skitter our way down to the beech wood with impunity.

When I’ve guided her through the trees, she has a short romp at the edge of the wood. Then she sets off towards the pond.

She chooses to take the path to the ‘clean pool’.

Ah, here are the stepping stones across the little waterfall.

And here’s my brave little dog crossing them!

*Isis came from the Aeza cat and dog rescue and adoption centre in Aljezur, Portugal. For information about adopting an animal from the centre, contact kerry@aeza.org or www.dogwatchuk.co.uk*Isis came from the Aeza cat and dog rescue and adoption centre in Aljezur, Portugal. For information about adopting an animal from the centre, contact kerry@aeza.org or www.dogwat