'Strolling, just strolling.....'

We are sitting at a favourite spot in the forest.

I’m recovering from the exertion its taken to arrive at this point. The lad next to me has wound his long tongue back in and stopped panting. It’s a very warm day, and for me, I’ve found the ascent even more of a puff than usual!

‘It’s mighty nice up here guv.’

We are looking into the deeper depths of this ancient forest, and slowly it feels as if, in our stillness, it is gently enfolding us within itself. Fanciful? Well perhaps, but there are times I feel sure, when we ‘guests’ in this magical palace, can almost feel part of it.

We’re at the autumn end of summer and the colours about us are particularly vivid and any wildlife appears sharper because of it.   A rustling nearby heralds the antics of a pair of squirrels, bouncing across the forest floor, before scrambling up a tall beech. I’m aware that Bing is following their progress with interest, and I’m very pleased that the art of tree climbing has so far eluded him!

A pleasantly warm zephyr caresses our faces and we seem to sigh in unison.

‘I love it up here guv.’

‘Yep, it’s such a lovely spot.’

‘M’mmm….er talking of spots guv…’

‘Yes?’

‘How about a spot of nosh?’

‘A snack?’

‘Or three old poop.’

Rummaging through pockets commences and shortly Bing is enjoying his snack. (Or three!)

‘I fear we won’t get many more days like this Bing before the year is out.’

‘Really guv?’

‘Yep, I reckon it will soon be a lot colder, and wind and rain will be a regular feature.’

This last piece of information is entirely lost on the lad, who finds my designation of a good or bad day, merely reliant on whether its bright or dull outside! To him, I am a chap that needs cajoling out and about as soon as the weather appears to me, to have taken a change for the worse.

This belief, is not without merit. I shall not however, encourage the lad to believe I am an easy touch. Thinking about it I don’t need to, when it comes to easy touches I’m the shop for ‘em!

‘Shall we pop down and see if anyone’s at home guv?’

By this the lad means should we visit the ducks.

‘I suppose we could…..’

‘Jolly good old poop, you know they miss our visits.’

‘Bing, I hate to be disparaging, but frankly, the ducks take very little notice of us.’

‘That’s true guv, but I like to think that we are known to them, so they probably miss us when we’re not around.’

We turn the bend in the path and are greeted by various ‘quacks!’

‘There you are guv, they’re delighted to see us……’

‘I’m not convinced Bing.’

　
‘Well old poop they are chuffed to see me, they just put up with you!’

Well that's being told....I search my mind for a suitably apposite reply.  Finally I choose...... 

‘Charming.’

The tail up front wags delightedly.

　
'Yep.....it certainly is guv!'

My reply is lost upon such a happy lad.....actually, it really is, rather charming here.

More 'quacks' from the pond...and the old poop falls silent...