We decided to go for a Walk today. After spending a week away in Weymouth, down in Dorset, we felt we had to get into the countryside. We aren't people for routine, and we recoiled at the thought of getting back into mundane things, so the question was, where to go that's not too far away from home, that has water to walk by and a pub nearby for refreshment afterwards.

I suggested Draycote Water, where the perimeter of the reservoir has a metalled pathway that meanders along undulating wooded land to give a full five miles of scenic walking. The village of Dunchurch would provide refreshment in the shape of an atmospheric pub by the name of The Dun Cow, which was the legendary beast supposedly slain by Earl Guy of Warwick.

Draycote, first flooded from the River Leam at Eathorpe in 1969 has matured into a haven for wildlife, where all manner of birds and butterflies can be encountered. Boats can be hired for fishing, and intrepid souls with infinite patience can be seen in waders thigh deep in water with rod and line. Various buildings are dotted around the site, and to those with an imagination leading to stories, the area could be shielding all manner of nefarious goings-on.

However, we were about half way around the walk, All was quiet, apart from birdsong and a slight wind disturbing the trees at the waterside. We rounded a bend, and about ten paces up ahead the lithe form of a weasel, about eight inches long, darted onto the pathway from the undergrowth to our right. It got to the centre of the path, stood bolt upright looking at us briefly and then darted back to where it came from in the undergrowth. The hilarious bit was the double-take when the creature ran back into the lane because it couldn't believe what it saw the first time. When it stood upright you could imagine it thinking, What the hell are these two odd-looking creatures who are mooching into my patch.

The Dun Cow was comfortable, very welcome after our five miles, and the beer was good.
I might try to negotiate having my science fiction book, Leofwin's Hundred for sale in The Dun Cow.

Until next time,
JJ

posted by J.J. Overton on March, 14