Walking in Petts Wood and The Hawkswood Estate Page 18

Thursday 18th November 2004 Eat the cake first.

I met up with Reg, I, B, and C soon after entering the woods. We had a mouth watering discussion about all the Christmas and other foods that have tempted people since childhood.

Marzipan was always my favourite Christmas food. Unfortunately it was surrounded by boring cake. C mentioned that you can now buy marzipan bars containing only marzipan. There is therefore no need to cut the Christmas cake at a sharp angle so that you get a larger chunk of marzipan.

Is there a lesson here? Yes! You may have to eat the boring stuff to get at the tasty bit. You my have to do some boring work to get at the interesting part.

Later I met up with a dog carrying a huge branch in its mouth. The branch covered the width of the entire path but the dog showed great consideration by standing sideways so that I could easily get past.

Sunday 21st November 2004 There's a choo choo, daddy!

As I walked near the railway bridge bordering one side of the woods today, I noticed a young boy and his dad on the bridge.

As a train approached, the boy pointed and said 'choo, choo'. A train was still exciting to him.

Youngsters are still discovering all the wonders of the world. Maybe we should join them more often.

Tuesday 23rd November 2004 Bullying on the way home.

1 in 4 children are bullied at primary school in the Uk today and 1 in 3 are bullied at secondary school. Kids are made to feel unworthy and outside the pale by a few mean and nasty kids who have nothing better to do than make others feel miserable.

I may have unwittingly contributed to some bullying today as I walked up Botany Lane. 2 boys passed me from Coopers school. As I went further up the lane a group of boys from the same local shcool asked me if I had seen two boys on my way up the lane

Without thinking, I said I had and they set off running like a pack of hounds after a fox. Maybe they were just catching up with two friends or maybe they were chasing down two victims to bully.

Youngsters who are bullied at school are advised to go home after school by unusual routes so that they will avoid meeting up with the bullies after school . I just hope I did not help the bullies on this particular day. One should think twice before answering questions about other people.

Saturday 27th November 2004 The power of example

The leaves were thick underfoot today. I passed the lady who had first shown me the gargoyle in the tree. I confessed that I had not waved at the gargoyle this morning. She laughed.

I was clearing the leaves away from the exit end of Flushers pond so that the gunge could flow free when D walked past. He said he would follow my example. Actions always speak louder than words and are a much more powerful motivator.

As I left the woods I met A who gave me a powerful horseracing gambling strategy. Don't try this unless you have money you can afford to lose. Usually the longest losing run for favourites is 9 so if you can afford to bet on 9 favourites in a row increasing your stake each time you will eventually make a profit.

Sunday 28th November 2004 Enjoy the squidgy mud

I waved at the gargoyle as I passed today and then met up with D. I asked him if he had cleared the exit at Flushers pond. He had.

As I walked along the path by Coopers School, the ground was very muddy. A young girl walked past with her family. She obviously loved the mud and was commenting:

"Squidgy, squidgy!"

Like the boy with the "choo, choo!" she knew how to enjoy the simple things of life.

Tuesday 30th November 2004 Give and it shall be given

In Rambo III, the mutjahaddin offer to help Rambo free his friend from the occupying army. Rambo mutters "Thank you". The mutjahaddin leader immediately replies "We thank you." He has nothing yet to thank Rambo for but one thank you deserves another!

I introduced another walker to the gargoyle in the oak tree today, not to mention the grizzly bear and lion cub. To my surprise, he said 'Thank you'. Not everyone appreciates being shown gargoyles.

In fact, some people must suspect this is some kind of mugging ploy. Muggers will often distract their victims by making them look away from their attackers at their watches or in the direction of some place that their attackers have asked directions to.

Step well back to look at your watch if you are asked for the time so that you can see both the potential mugger and your watch and if you are guiding some one somewhere do not look away from them. It only takes a millisecond for them to strike while you are distracted.

The woods are usually free of muggers. Not many people carry valuables with them on a walk but you never know how some muggers think especially if they are on drugs.

Most of the trees except for the scotch pines and the holly trees and one or two others are bare of leaves now. Winter has arrived. The squirrels are still active preparing for the future lack of food.

Wednesday 1st December 2004 Between 65 and death

Few people were in the woods today. It was a fresh and cold winter's day -a rarity in these days of global warming.

I met Reg and Bill as I was nearing the end of my walk. We discussed our ages. I was the youngest at 64. Bill was the oldest but he said one reason he came into the woods was to look at people like me and Reg and appreciate how young looking he was by comparison!

I mentioned that I had to change my martial arts insurers as they had decided not to insurer instructors over 65. I soon found another organisation that would insure me but would not insure students over 65.

Insurers feel that if you are over 65 you could drop dead at any time. Bill suggested that I charge students over 65 in advance for the costs of removing their bodies from the training hall!

On that cheerful note I left them. I needed to get home and prepare for a computer session.
You can always guarantee a good laugh with Reg and Bill.

Thursday 2nd December 2004 Keep your mouth shut if your knowledge is little

Today, I met B and C who know a fair bit about the flora and fauna in the woods. I asked them which trees still had leaves. They mentioned that the leaves of the oak tree are the last to arrive and the last to leave.

I also asked about the green woodpeckers that had been spotted by a bird watcher a few days ago. At the time I had nearly told him he must be looking at parakeets. B and C explained to me that green wood peckers do exist near Flushers pond where the birdwatcher was looking.

I had never heard any woodpecker sounds at the pond and wrongly assumed there were no woodpeckers in that area. B and C explained to me that these woodpeckers were usually silent and spent much time looking for insect food in the fields.

I was glad I had kept my mouth shut when speaking to the experienced bird watcher.

Friday 3rd December 2004

Today I walked into the quiet oasis of peace and non-violence which is Petts Woods but the woods were not too quiet on this visit.

When I reached the tunnel under the railway line a man was shouting at some one I could not see: "You ignorant c****. I know where you live. In a little cul de sac"

It is clearly a big mistake to let a violent person know where you live. Houses are not fortresses and you are vulnerable if some one knows your address.

I thought of wishing the violent person good afternoon but thought better of it. Angry people are unpredictable and best avoided until they have cooled down.

Later I met V to whom I had showed the gargoyles a few days ago. We had a pleasant chat and then moved on.

Sunday 5th December 2004 Focus on one thing at a time

I met B and C and I on my way from my car to the woods today. We discussed two reality shows currently drawing large audiences in the UK.

In "Strictly Come Dancing", 2 celebrity contestants had recently been voted out. I put this down to the fact that both of them were attending other functions etc when they should have been focusing entirely on developing their skills as dancers.

One or two others disagreed with my view.

We also discussed Paul Burrell (Princess Diana's butler) and his bush tucker trial in Austrialia, where he had to meet a challenge to gain food for his companions in a jungle camp.

Paul had to put his hand into 5 holes to grab a star. In the holes were large spiders, rats and snakes. Despite his obvious fears and even terrors, Paul managed to collect all 5 stars. He showed his fear but overcame it and so both B and I agreed he deserved tremendous credit.

Tuesday 7th December 2004 A laugh makes you feel good

Yesterday the northbound Eurostar passed me near the tunnel under the railway. Seconds later the southbound Eurostar went past heading for France.

Today I met two other stars in the same area i.e. Bill and Reg. Bill asked me to make sure I put a cheque in his Christmas card this year as he didn't find one in his card last year! Reg wondered why there were no lights in the trees!

I countered with some jokes from the ITV programme "I'm a celebrity. Get me out of here."

What do you call a man with a spade in his head? Doug

What do you call a woman who is in the middle of a tennis court? Annette

Not surprisingly they started to walk in the direction of the tunnel!

Later I met T who suffers from MS. She still manages to live an incredibly full life.

She is having Japanese students to stay over Christmas.

I mentioned that I had enough trouble looking after one cat, let alone several visitors.

Friday 10th December 2004 Polite people can break the rules

The paths in Petts Wood are thick with leaves I nearly sprained an ankle the other day treading on a tree root hidden under the leaves. Occasionally leaves still fall like brown snow.

Cyclists in Petts Wood are supposed to cycle only on the bridle paths but today a man cycled past me on an ordinary path.

I did not mind because he was so polite. First he slowed down and then said: "Good afternoon" and then "Thank you very much" as I moved to one side to give him more room.

Such a polite cyclist can take his bike where he likes as far as I am concerned. Good manners can cover a multitude of sins.

Tuesday 14th December 2004 Even vermin have rights

Yesterday, I saw three or four parakeets in the bare branches of their favourite tree in Botany Bay Lane.

I met Darren, the volunteer, by the Warden's house. I told him I was feeling guilty about killing some house mice with old fashioned traps (thinking they might be rats) and not using humane traps. Mice are classed as vermin but they still have rights.

He mentioned that the humane traps are not so humane. They should be examined every 6 hours according to the law. Earlier on my walk I had met D who found that the mouse in a humane trap was practically dead when he examined the trap.

I told Darren that I had not heard a peep out of the peacocks at Tong's farm. He laughed. Apparently the peacocks still get up on the barn roof at 6 in the morning and make one heck of a noise!

Saturday 18th December 2004 "Brave this side of the fence"

I had not planned definitely on going for a walk today but, after an encounter with an officious counter clerk at my building society in the morning, I was so annoyed that a walk was needed to help me cool off.

As I was walking down Botany Bay Lane, a dog was taking out his frustrations on the cows in the field behind a fence.

His owner commented: "He's brave on this side of the fence."

"Aren't we all?" I replied.

It was worth going for the walk just to hear his comment about his dog!

Tuesday 21st December 2004 Don't accept the crap. Get organised.

I went into the woods at about 4 p.m. today and it was already fairly dark.

A lady passed by me at Flushers Pond. She commented that it had become dark almost as soon as she had entered the wood but she might have expected this as it was the shortest day of the year.

I had not realised this. I walked on by the light of the silvery moon which was about two thirds full. I was treading carefully but could not see what was underfoot.

The same lady passed me later with her two dogs. She remarked that it was dark and muddy.

"I hate to think what I've been treading in" I replied.

"Don't even think about it!" she said.

As I passed I the tunnel under the railway bridge. I saw the solution. Somebody who had prepared himself for the conditions.

He had a torch! He would not need to accept any crap. He had got organised! A couple of minutes thought and preparation can make all the difference.

Thursday 23nd December 2004 Success after 30 years

I headed into the woods soon after two p.m. this afternoon so it was still light. Apparently sunrise today is at about 8 a.m. and sunset is at 3.54 p.m.

By the time I left the woods it was almost dark. I didn't meet many people but entertained myself by practising my Ian Paisley accent.

It has been an ambition of mine for many years to imitate the harsh Northern Irish accent. I knew a teacher who entertained a whole coach load of teenagers on a holiday trip by describing the scenery in an Ian Paisley voice. People listen to what you say in a different accent especially one as striking as Paisley's.

I am getting there! Part of the secret is in moving your mouth around a lot i.e. talk like a big mouth. I surprised myself by my sudden improvement after almost 30 years!

I also sang my standard repertoire of Sloopy, Hey Jude and Swing low Sweet Chariot.

At one point I was shouting out the affirmation "Unbelievable Success" when a jogger hauled into site. He did not seem too worried.

I had met him earlier and commented on the slippery conditions underfoot. "You're still in one piece", I said to him as he passed. He nodded agreement and muttered something appropriate - possibly "get lost!"

Thursday 24th December Christmas Eve

It is colder today. The rain started to come down as I walked through the woods. Only one or two leaves were left on the oak trees.

Yesterday I passed a field which looked like a tableaux of a Christmas manger scene. Several cows were gathered round a trestle loaded with hay. Only the baby and mother were missing.

Today the cows were missing. They were at the other end of the field preferring the fresh grass to the hay.

In the next field along a horse was pulling the leaves off the brambles. Hunger overcame any pain.

One of the volunteers walked past me telling me he was hurrying to get home before the rain.

I put a positive spin on the rain commenting that it would be a free shower. One day my inane remarks will turn into witty ones!

Saturday December 25th 2004

Three business like ladies stopped their car in Botany Bay Lane. They owned horses in the fields nearby.

"Our horses still need feeding on Christmas Day", one lady commented.

"Difficult to send them Christmas cards," I replied.

My stock of witty repartee definitely needs replenishing!

I exchanged "Good morning, Happy Christmas with quite a few people."

As I ended my walk a dog rushed up to me barking furiously.

"His way of saying Happy Christmas" quipped his owner!

Now for the turkey and bacon rolls!

Sunday December 26th 2004 Read the manual

The woods were alive with people walking off their Christmas fare.

One little girl told her dad "A man is coming"

"That's right," I said as I came closer.

Everyone smiled. Cute little kids can get away with stating the obvious!

One of the peacocks was out and about. I pointed him out to some passersby
We should share the beautiful and extraordinary with others.

Later I met JR a lawyer who has recently bought a digital camera. He has also, unlike me, made a valiant effort to read the manual. He told his wife that not reading the manual was like being able to play a piano in only two keys.

Maybe more of us should read the manuals and make full use of whatever tools we own.

Wednesday 29th December 2004 The value of discomfort

The weather was cold enough to motivate me to walk fast and even jog until I felt comfortably warm.

Being uncomfortable is a great motivator. I seldom wear a coat in the cold weather to ensure that I am sufficiently motivated.

Quite a few families were out for a walk today as the holidays are still on.

Flusher's pond is looking more like a pond and less like a snooker table top.

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