Pondering ponds and such like....

The boards of the wooden bridge rumble slightly as an aged gent, led by the hound, trundle across its span and see the pond hove into view.

The lad in front sniffs the air, and his tail slowly wags.

‘The ducks are at home guv.’

In truth I’d never doubted it, as it’s quite some way to the next pond, and I reckon these ducks aren’t that adventurous….I could of course be quite wrong. However, they are ‘at home’ and we move quietly around one side of the pond to a landing stage.

(It should be noted the ancient meander that flows into and out of this small expanse of water in not navigable, so the landing stage is something of a mystery.)

I don’t recall ever seeing the two families that share this spot; the Coots and their upper crust neighbours the Khaki-Campbell’s (The hyphen is entirely my own!); sunning themselves upon the boards, but as the lad and I aren’t here every day, this statement may well be inaccurate.

As we emerge from the forest, there they are ‘taking the waters’ and quite uninterested in our appearance. The coots nod their heads, rather like ‘Egyptian dancers’ (I’m recalling Wilson, Keppel and Betty!) and the K-H’s glide sedately around the pond sides carefully ‘dibbing’ at the shallows next to the reeds.

Bing enjoys this spot, and is quite happy to take on board the sights and scents that float up the receiving ‘hooter.’ I, on the other hand, am delighted to take a break and enjoy noting any changes in the plant life, trees and shrubs in the immediate surrounds. The lad is at the full extent of his long lead, and sitting close to the edge by the water. The Coots are quite close, and is that murmured conversation I can hear? I’m far too polite to listen in, so I gaze at the newly green topped trees and take a few grainy photos on my ancient Nokia!

For once, it is delightfully warm just here. Time gently floats by, as does my mind, which has wandered who knows where? If one could gain an M.A. for mind wandering, or perhaps a B.A. for daydreams, this old poop would be the shop for ‘em!

My revere was rudely interrupted.

‘Oi, muddybum!’

I had recently, defied forward momentum by landing on my bottom in a damp spot…I believe regulars will recall that incident.

‘What?’

‘Stone me, I thought I’d lost you for good. There must be loads of fairies around here, ‘cause you were well away with ‘em guv!’

‘Well….um….no…I was…er………..’

‘I’ve been prodding and hello-ing you for ages old poop, I even gave you a deep woof, but you just kept staring at the tops of those trees over there.’

‘Did I? Surely not.’

‘The Coots have been cackling with laughter at you, and as for the K-H’s they sympathised with the job I have, keeping you from wandering off.’

‘Oh I say….’

‘Well you’re back with us again which is I guess, a sort of blessing.’

‘Charming.’

‘Don’t mention it old fruit. Now if you are quite back down to earth and not liable to drift off back to the tops of those trees, is there a possibility that a chap might have a snack or four?’

‘Snack or three, I think you’ll find.’

‘M’mmmm………well it was worth a try guv.’

　

　

(It was now my turn to m’mmm.)