Blow, blow, thou winter wind Thou art not so unkind.........

‘Cor it’s a bit draughty Bing!’

‘Is it?’

The lad is standing in front of me, with fur being whistled by an extremely windy day.

For reasons known only to those that know, Bing has managed to tempt me away from the warm confines of ‘Lyons’ to our present location – a track within our local forest.

‘Frankly Bing, I do believe Shackleton and his fellow polar explorers, could have used such a day as this, to acclimatise to the rigours of the South Pole!!’

‘Blimey guv, it’s little more than a gentle puff of a breeze!’

‘Puff of a breeze? Puff of a breeze??’

‘Certainly old poop, certainly.’

‘I’m sorry, but if this is your idea of a puff of breeze, I should hate to attempt to survive, what you would call a stiff-ish zephyr!

The boy is not listening, he’s far to busy examining a rotting tree trunk and its surrounds.

‘I think it might be a good idea if we trundle down to the pond, and get out of this gale!!!’



This suggestion appeals to the lad, and off we set, weaving our way between beech trees and holly bushes. Fortunately as we descend, the wind seems to lessen, and speaking as an old poop, I’m a lot happier.

This does not last.

Across a little bridge and around the last twist of the path and………..there is the blooming wind again!




‘Stone the crows Bing this is ridiculous!’

‘M’mmm?’

‘Oh please do not M’mmm me, this really is the end!’

‘End of what guv?’

Teeth chattering, and nose running, I rummage through my pockets and finally manage to blow my nose!’

‘Steady guv you’ll frighten the ducks!’

‘Ducks?’




‘Certainly guv, certainly.’

‘Bing they seem to be being blown over the water, those that are silly enough to expose themselves to the elements.’

‘It’s the ducks playing Americas Cup guv!’

There are times when I realise the World of Bing is either to be embraced or ignored.

Folks, one look from the lads eager eyes and wagging tail pops me straight into his world, and as we start the stroll home, the wind fairly whistles around us, as if it’s in full agreement!