Most of us in the U.K have had some Horrid weather the past 2 months and have been kept in-doors, so this week we decided not to let it get us down and get out walking.

Monday morning the sky was blue and cloudless, so I packed a cool-bag with sandwiches and drinks and off we set to the next village with both dogs in tow.

This is the place we were heading for, its about 2 miles from where we live, so double that figure with the return trip and that's a 4 mile walk.

On the way we set to go down a path we have not ventured before which is to the right of where this picture was taken, and we could see that the local council have at last provided a place for the children with bicycles to ride, and we watched a couple of boys enjoying the facilities with their mountain bikes. 

Further along the track we were wondering if there was a way out then noticed we could get through some gates at the far end which went past the scrap merchants, we could hear a dog barking as we walked past, but nothing prepared us for the shock we ended up getting!..

Poor Freddie started squeaking and I looked down to see this enormous Rottweiler, he was huge, and his head was bigger than Freddie's body, she was so scared, he was really playful, but she didn't want to play with such a big boy!..LOL!..By then scruff had started hollering as well, so Jeff had to pick him up, I was too scared to pick Freddie up in case the Rottweiler decided to jump on us both, luckily a car came down the lane and the Rottweiler skitted back, but boy, was I scared! I think we'll think twice about taking that route again!..The dogs were both fine, Freddie is normally quite a feisty lass, but I think the shock will curb her temper in future.

Today we decided to go to the next town, its about 3.5 miles to the outskirts, so we set off and as takes about an hour normal walking we decided to change the route as we got to the outskirts and did a bit of a half circuit, it was a bit cloudy and started to spot to rain about half way, but we sheltered under the trees for a moment or 2 then set off again.

When we reached the town we headed for the park, but picked up a pasty and drink each as we passed a shop, we found the park to be almost empty so could pick any bench we wanted and soon found a good spot to sit, its a great park with plenty of flowers in bloom so a perfect spot for a a picnic. I was a bit miffed as I wanted to pack a few sandwiches and was shocked to find that the 2 pasties and drinks cost us 30 pence short of £5....We will be taking a packed lunch next time!...

After a while we walked through the park and decided to visit the Museum, that turned out a no-go as when we got there it was under 'Renovation'...So it was up to the bus-terminus and straight on the bus and home. I am happily resting my feet now but don't regret the over-use of them, we are both feeling fitter and we need to get the extra pounds off we've put on while off the ciggy's..

I've just had a look back and can see its 13 and half weeks since we've smoked a ciggy, it was March 28th I wrote in my blog that the night before we had the last of our tobacco! Jeff has finished his patches and I'm really proud of him, well we should both be proud, but Jeff did smoke more than me so it must have been harder for him....

We have a big test on the weekend, its Jeff's Mums 86th Birthday and all the Family are going for a meal, so its a case of here goes!...