Sense and Scents-ability!

‘Bing.’

‘Yes Guv?’

We are out and about and shortly we’ll be entering the ancient forest of Epping. The lad is mighty pleased and the old poop is already puffing like the original ‘Billy!’

‘The thing is Bing, I would appreciate it if you could bear in mind that you do not have a fit chap like Tom trundling behind you, but an old puffer who requires a more sedate promenade about the paths before us.’

‘Understood guv.’

‘M’mmm.’

As you may or may not know, the nature of the hound in front of me is very affable.   However, it has to be said once certain scents enter the continuously oscillating hooter of the lad, the hound bit of him kicks in, and the need to follow the trail left by fox, squirrel, deer and discarded take-away becomes imperative!

 

Fortunately, (for the moment) only the general pongs of the forest are available to the enquiring conk, and we make a relatively sedate ascent of the hill, possibly recalled by some of our regular readers.

The lad suddenly halts and the ears pricked and hooter goes into overdrive!

A young Spaniel with owner, appears over the brow of the hill, and a friendly greeting is made. I explain the lads breed, whilst the two new pals investigate a recently fallen beech tree.

‘I see you keep him on a lead.’

‘Yes, I’m afraid when it comes to scents and sense, young Bing can become rather keen when he gets on the trail of something….hence the lead.’

‘Ah.’

‘Ah indeed.’

‘William,’ (the spaniel) ‘Darts here, there and everywhere, but always keeps an eye out for me.’

I’m of course very impressed, but frankly Bing is Bing, and there you go……plus of course he’s a talker, but, that’s just between you, me and the lad.

We are now at the ‘summit’ and a suitable log is found.

‘There you are gaffer, that looks dry.’

‘I suppose you wouldn’t mind…..’

‘A snack or three guv?’

‘Quite.’

‘Well it would be mighty rude not to have a nibble before we carry on. Have you got your Holy mints guv?’

‘The Mint with a hole?’

‘Those are the chaps.’

‘Yep, I reckon I’ve a few.’

‘Then snack on guv!’

So here we are back in the forest, summer is on the wane and around us the beech trees seem to be slowly accepting the temperature change. There are more leaves on the tracks, and shortly of course, the whole forest floor will be brown, yellow and orange. Once again our steps will be accompanied with the gentle rustle of leaves beneath them. The whole unique cycle of the year is continuing, and for now, the old puffer and his eager pal will enjoy these little moments together.

‘Home guv?’

‘Guess we should Bing.’

The sun has disappeared and suddenly where we sit has become rather grey, and we are both reminded that we are mere visitors to these magical places, and the prospect of home has become, appealing.

‘Go steady on the descent Bing.’

And I find I suddenly add…..‘It’s all down here from now on…….well at least it is for me.’

This is lost on Bing, for the lad is busy choosing a suitable trail down, generally in the direction of home

 
– which of course is exactly as it should be.