Brimpton common walk

As you can see, I haven't been keeping up with my blogging - another year gone. Too much dancing and travelling. And not all for joyous reason. In May my dear mum passed away. Saddest time of my life. She was so vital and oh how she wanted to live... But the horrible cancer got better of her. Me and my sisters managed to make some great memories with her in lovely Norway when mum was still able to. She has left a big hole in our hearts and will never be forgotten!!! In September we are all heading back to Norway again to say our final goodbyes.

Although I haven't been blogging, it doesn't mean I haven't been walking. A week in the office begs me to go for long walk on the weekend. I think I'm getting old as I have aches and pains which I haven't noticed before but I still enjoy outdoors tremendously. And my dog and son are ever faithful companions on those walks. 

So this time we chose a walk not too far from home - half an hour drive and 6.2 miles walk over mostly flat ground. 

I am very glad that Maurice still enjoys those walks (to certain extent of course). But I don't have to force him to come with me, he does it with only little bit of grumbling and that always involves trying to change my mind for a shorter walk. Once he's out, I don't hear any complaining. And he loves climbing those trees!

Our dog, Summer is getting older and is barely keeping up with us so when it was too hot we didn't take her with us for long walks. She was very happy to join us this time. 

On almost every walk we pass some churches and cattle.  I like those old village churches and always have to peek inside too. In hot summer days they are a great shelter. 

St Nicholas Church

Why did I mention the cattle? In this estate our original route took us through the cattle. I am always weary of them as more people get killed by cows than by sharks. And the dog worsens the statistics. Also if something happened to my son, I would never forgive myself. But you still have to try and be brave. So we were... Until they started speedily walking towards us and if that didn't scare us enough, they were joined by a gigantic red bull! So we turned around and did a detour:)

Our next church was built in 1869 but designed in 14th century style. The site of it was apparently even mentioned in the Domesday Book. 

St Peter's church, Brimpton

Altar window

I am a big nature lover. While my busy life gets in a way of enjoying it as and when I want to, I still hold it dear to my heart. And it's always little things that cheer me up. So on this walk we managed to see the Kingfisher! I have walked near rivers in early morning to spot them, but never had any luck. And now, in the middle of day, there it was, sitting on the cable across the river. What a magnificent little creature it is! If you don't know what Kingfisher is, look it up - you won't be disappointed! Unfortunately I didn't manage to take a picture of it. But I have a picture of Summer in the river:) 

The friendship between human and dog is something truly amazing in my opinion. How can someone be so loyal to you? And dogs are clever! I could walk up and down the stairs the whole day but the moment I have decided to go for a walk with the dog, she knows! How? Same happens when I decide to go without her. She goes to her bed to sulk and doesn't even try to beg to come with me - she just takes it as it is! It will be a very sad day when we lose our faithful companion. Hopefully it will be many more years before that happens. Until then we enjoy every moment with her.

And I'm sure she is enjoying it as much as we do!