I think I have mentioned before that we like walking. We are very lucky because where we live there are lots of footpaths. From the green where we live there are 5 footpaths heading in different directions. These are rights of way over land. Here is a sign so you know what they look like and the tell you what way you can go. You can get maps from the local council. I keep meaning to get a map but I haven't got around to it yet.

We made a packed lunch first thing this morning and set of. The sun was out and it wasn't cold so I didn't need a coat. We headed across country to Great Chalfield, a beautiful medieval manor house owned by the National Trust. If we had been at home it would have been too early for lunch, but we sat in a field in the sun and had our lunch even though it was only 11am. All you could hear were the birds and the sheep in the next field. It was lovely. We got to Great Chalfield. Of course it was closed (it only opens 4 days a week) but that is not why we'd walked there so it didn't matter. Here is a photo.

Then we walked to Little Chalfield, a much smaller and newer house (Regency period) owned by a member of the Fuller's brewery empire. On the way we saw a stoat playing on the footpath. Sadly it was to far away to photograph with my current camera. The trees along this walk were simply beautiful. We were standing beneath a huge copper beech and there was an avenue of horse chestnut trees or as we would have said as kids, conkers trees.

We met an elderly gentleman riding a bike whom we stopped to ask for directions. He was very helpful. We spoke to him again on our way back as he was coming out of one of the houses on the country estate. We suspect his family probably owned the entire estate at one time. Our walk took us about four hours during which time we crossed just two minor roads and encountered just one car. What a lovely day. I was exhausted when I got home. I made a cup of tea, put my slippers on, put my feet up and woke up 2 hours later! What a lovely day.

Yes, for a country that is so overpopulated, it is surprising

Post edited 10:21 pm – 18th May 10 by Me.

We have footpaths by the sides of the roads in the cities and towns, but my wife and I live in the countryside. We have wide road side berms and these are kept trimmed by grazing a few cows road side. Where we live we have very few vehicles using the road, although over the warmer months every day we get half a dozen milk tankers arrive to collect the day's supply of milk and delivery it to the dairy factory, 80 kms away.

The one thing that Tricia and I will miss when we eventually move is the silence, and more importantly, neighbours who will always stop and chat or give you a cheery wave as they drive past. The only way I can describe this situation is that in the countryside we live in communities, in towns I know people who couldn't name their next door neighbour.

The best way to watch community spirit in action (not bottled spirit) is when the local school need to upgrade some equipment, they have the most novel methods of fund raising and quickly raise the required sum.

Post edited 12:19 am – 19th May 10 by Me.

Michael, I believe I am on safe ground when I write we would both have problems settling into a suburb of Auckland or Wellington.

The day my wife and I moved into our present home, we had a visit from a neighbour, someone we had never met, and she presented us with a tin full of home makes cakes and biscuits. It's going to be awfully difficult getting used to not having kind hearted people such as these around us. I might also add I will miss the cows, such gentle and inquisitive creatures, each possessing the must beautifully equipped milk dispensers.

At present our chooks are on strike, they will not get back into the habit of laying us a few eggs. Of course this will lead to their ultimate downfall and I am not looking forward to that job either.

Made up my mind after reading these posts…..

That is how I am gong to Die…

With a smile on my face and a Big Notice

Gone to heaven. 

Foot paths, Pavements, Right of way.

Made me think of Forbidden and Trespassers will be prosecuted.

Enough for today and Breakfast time for me.

Enjoy your day.. or what is left of it.