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There is something extremely bolstering about heading out into the 3-degree chill, especially when the sun is rising, and the streets are almost empty of traffic.
The grass has grown like the clappers over the last month, with plenty of rain and lockdown urging it on. In many gardens and streets, it’s longer than ever before. I don’t usually pay much attention to the grass, to be quite honest, but now I’m noticing how lovely it is, forming seaweed like clumps, sprouting daisies and clover and clover flowers that look like tiny sea anemones.
It was quite early, so the daisies were not quite ready for the day, still half-closed, their petals ballerina skirts.
I walked past a stone fence that is a particular favourite, generously strewn with jasmine and tiny leaved vines.
A lady came around the corner. She was all dressed in black, wearing glasses, a neat bob. Her mask was pulled down below her nose (as was mine) because there was nobody around. Until now. We stared at each other and then pulled the marks up as though it were an early morning duel. Then we passed at the correct distance.
‘Morning!’ I said cheerily.
‘Morning,’ she said MUCH more quietly.
I left my mask up after that.
Next, a man was walking ahead of me, but on the other side of the road. He was wearing shorts (brr), sneakers, short white socks and a grey hoodie. Trotting beside him was a well-behaved labradoodle.
The man was carrying one of those tennis ball throwing contraptions. Perhaps he had a tennis ball in his pocket? I am not sure. It felt weird to look too closely.
Instead, I decided to follow him (that’s not weird, is it?) But really, it was just because I love watching dogs chase after balls.
As I decided this, he looked over his shoulder … towards me. Gulp. But it was okay. An angry bird was swooping him. He was not the least bit concerned with me. I suppose that’s not really okay for him, but it was okay for me. He seemed to be doing a good job of ducking and waving his arms, anyway.
I slowed my pace and took some photos of flowers and things to ease any embarrassment he might be feeling. And also because I like taking photos of flower and things.
Then I trotted off again, just in time to see him wading through the long grass at the park, the dog joyfully galloping after the ball. Pure delight. I couldn’t help but think he must have cold legs. The man, not the dog.
Next, I headed for the between-houses parkland and did not pass another soul until I emerged and began to walk the roads closer to my house.
A man in a striped jumper was wandering along with a coffee in his hand. He was walking very, very slowly and was avoiding the mask-wearing by taking intermittent sips. Then, he shouted. SHOUTED.
“How’re you going, mate?!”
I was about to reply when over my shoulder (everything happened behind me today!) a voice called “Not bad, mate!”
Another man, this one wearing a snug jacket and grey beanie was leaning on a parked van. The two men then met in the middle of the road and started chatting and effing and jeffing. Clearly, they were very happy to see each other and this backstreet meet-up was a friendship boosting master plan.
I walked on, their voices fading behind me.
I walked around the corner and up the hill towards my house, passing a giant broken tree that the storm had claimed last week, passing a silent house where there used to be kids and trikes and happy squealing before all this happened, past a couple getting into an icy car, perhaps on their way to work.
When I got home, Ari had ordered me a breakfast treat from a nearby café. I consider this a friendship boosting master move akin to effing and jeffing in the middle of the street.
And then? Then I sat down to write to you!
Always a treat to meander with you in the mornings - hope you enjoyed the breakfast treat. Such a thoughtful gesture. 🤗
Oh Pip how wonderful it is to read about your morning walk. I'm a morning walker myself, well I was until a slip on the weekend led to a broken ankle. So now I'm laid up for a looking time. Your descriptions of your walks shall be even more valuable to me.
A treat for breakfast sounds like the best bolstering relationship growing gift. What a good lad.
Cheers Kate