Sunday 10th October 2010

At past past ten and ten seconds, on the tenth day of the tenth month we were walking in the King's Wood near Canterbury. We were nearly up to see the sunrise this morning. In fact we were probably up early enough, but not dressed, nor had breakfast.And so the sun climbed into the pink heaven unseen by us until it was well above the horizon.

we decided there and then to make the most of the day and so rushing, we climbed into old clothes and into walking boots, and hence to the car and along to Dover, then to Folkestone and Ashford, before heading into the wooded hills around Challock.

We arrived at the wood, and there was just one other car; great. It's not that we mind other people, but they can be, well, noisy. and have dogs and children. And we wanted a nice quiet walk, with photographs and maybe seeing a deer or two. Nothing against children and dogs per se, you understand.



Through the wide ways near the car park, through the cleared area which last year was all naked stumps; now all taller than a man with new growth. And on into the evergreen forest, through a deep carpet of needles looking for the red or dark brown of a new mushroom or fungus. Although i did some great shots a few weeks back, as we were here; well, you never know when you'll see THE shot.



And then on into the heart of the forest, past clearings, partially cleared areas giving dappled light to the forest floor; highlighting some exotic fungi.

Nothing really dramatic, just a walk in the woods, with a camera with my wife. Nothing special, just the sort of thing you can't do on a ship, and precisely why I was so unhappy at sea; because this was the sort of thing I Could NOT do.

anyway, time enough to head back to the car, and time then to see four deer jump across the track we were walking down. I had not time to raise my camera let along press the shutter. And back the other way they again, before they jump off into the undergrowth.



And then we pass the families, the children and the dogs now arriving for their walk. For the most part the dogs running free, barking and running through the undergrowth, being generally un-quiet.

We go to visit Jools' Father and his wife; and Nan; swapping stories and news before it's time to head back home for dinner or pizza and for Jools to try out the home-brew cider, and we sit outside in the warm sunshine to eat and drink.

Later I take each of the kittens outside to let the smell 'outside'; of the two, Scully is the happiest, purring and senses going crazy at the overload. Mulder a little less sure, but not scared; oh no.