"In Good Queen Bess’s Glorious Day!"

We have, I believe from time to time, touched on the bridle paths and tracks that meander about the forest close by Lowtown. These ancient ways have been well tramped over the centuries, indeed we have a Hunting Lodge once owned by Queen Elizabeth I, which is now rather nice for a spot for lunch!

I digress.

Toddling along, looking out for wildlife and just enjoying the peaceful surrounds, it’s hard to believe we’re only 13 miles from Charring Cross. (Miles approximately gauged, in my old Austin A40 back in the early ‘70’s!)

Folk of this sceptred isle, have criss-crossed the area – ancient Brit’s, Saxon’s, Vikings, Romans and Normans have all spent time here, and it is as if, the tree’s have knowledge of all this, and watch the current folk, making their ways.

Here this particular morning, you'll find Bing and the old codger sitting quietly, making our ways. I’m wondering if we might spot a deer. Skywards, a Jumbo jet, so high, silently leaves a vapour tail. Once again I’m wondering where it’s bound and imagining all the folk within.

‘Hello, he’s daydreaming again.’

‘M’mmm?’

I was observing, you were miles away.’

‘Ah.’

‘Cor guv, I sometimes reckon I couldn’t half make you jump if I crept up and gave you a mighty woof!’

‘Oh you wouldn’t………. would you?’

‘Might.’

‘Oh no, you couldn’t possibly……..could you?’

‘Well……’

The lad ‘paffed’ my right hand pocket.

‘I see….bribery eh?’

‘Hey I’m a hound, a chaps got to do what a chaps got to do, and I don’t see anyone else around who’d be carrying a treat or two.’

Did he wink at me? I’m sure he did.

‘So do I wait and make you jump or?’

‘Okay, let me see what I’ve got.’

‘That’s easy aged guv, gravy bones right pocket, milky ones left.’

‘How did you know?’

‘Hey I’m a…..’

‘Hound. Right, got it.’

My companion, very gently, in turn, relieved me of one of each.

I peered into the undergrowth…was that a movement? Possibly a fallow deer? Good Queen Bess of course would have been seated upon a fine ‘hoss’ and able to see from on high any possible movements……m’mm or there again…..

‘WOOF!’

‘Stone me, good gracious!’ The old ticker was pounding and I was back in the day!

‘Blimey guv, you shot about three feet in the air!’

‘Yes well I was….’

‘Daydreaming?’

‘Possibly…….please don’t do that again, promise?’

‘Well….’

‘Oh come on Bing, a fellow has to be able to ruminate.’

‘Does he?’

‘Most certainly.’

‘Well…?’

‘Oh alright, let me see if I have anymore in my……’

‘One of each in both.’

I gave up, gave in and gave ‘em over.

‘And Bing, no more WOOFS?’

‘Your quite safe guv…………………………

………………………for today!!'