Thornton 7 October 2012

Louisa’s first walk – OK, not the first time that upright locomotion had been achieved, let’s be clear, but a first time as regards leading the whole shooting match (although it wasn’t a match, and we had no intention of shooting anyone).  Having started out with ice, and fogs sufficiently pea-soupy to be about ready for a topping of croutons, all of that rigmarole soon wafted away, the sun came out and all was well with the world, which is what you want for this sort of thing really.  A sizeable bunch of regulars and quite a few newbies (who we’ll hopefully see again!) ambled off into the suddenly shiny morning, only to be very quickly surprised by a field full of curios left by the local lama-farmer.

The lamas were accompanied by some very loud geese, who were far more territorial than the lamas, although it was quite unnecessary as this early in the walk we were all still fairly fragrant and there was no argument about which flock was best at honking.  Having got past those distractions, navigated a field full of young male cows, and decided that some animals are indeed more equal than others but, on reflection, never mind the bullocks, we strode on over more rolling fields, through some Woodland Trust err, woodland, and keeled-over en masse in a sunlit meadow for early lunch.  It turned out to be the best picnic conditions that we’d had all year.  Back to the pub, via the reservoir, for flagons of Equinox and merry banter until teatime.  What more could a new leader at Ramblers Anonymous ask for?