Caution Ducks Crossing

Sunday's weather was so mild and springlike I wouldn't settle and be content until I'd been for a walk along my favourite piece of towpath. I should really have washed, ironed, dug the garden but I really, really needed just to be in the fresh air away from the usual hum-drum stuff. By the time we'd collected Josh from his sleepover and and bought a voucher from the garden centre for Mom-in-law's present next Sunday the day had become a little dull. It didn't matter, it was warm and we could hear the birds singing and look at new greeness of Spring. What more could we need? I love this little walk along the canal. Josh gets annoyed with me 'not the same bit again?' I love its familiarity and its friendliness as walkers, cyclists, bargees and residents greet you with a cheery 'hello' as you walk on by. You can even do some shopping there if you wish at one of the canalside cottages.



I love to cross the towpath using this this tiny little bridge.



Here's a view from the top of the bridge to its left



and the view to the right.



Once over the bridge there's a little hamlet of cottages



next to fields.


I'd love to live here, tucked away in an almost secret little village.



It's on our way back to the bridge and the towpath that I notice this little sign, that's obviously been there some time.


It made us laugh, although we did keep a lookout for ducks on our way over the bridge. We did see plenty of ducks. All paired off now, with the odd noisy interruption of single males trying to steal a pretty girl from her mate.



Another few weeks and we'll be watching Mum leading her ducklings out and about as they play and discover their surroundings. We become distracted again and take a detour down a litle lane to the river


and up the hill to the fields with green shoots just peering through the red earth.



The church overlooks all of this from the hill, constant in the ever changing scenery.



Back on the canal and I love this sweet little hut. I imagine myself on a summer's day, sitting there on the porch watching the narrowboats chugging by. On winter walks, I imagine sitting inside, snuggled up with a heater, a hot drink and a good book.




Before I forget, we did see some of these as well.



Cheery, cosy, welcoming. When I win the lottery I'm going to buy one! However, it will have to be for weekends and holidays only. I have too much stuff to fit on one of these. Of course I would expect other bloggers to visit for afternoon tea and a bun.