I seized the moment this morning and declared I was going off walking. Mrs Davie decided she would spend the time I was walking in Ashbourne. I drove a short distance and parked on the side of the road just north of the samll village of Calton. I walked across the fields and up to the summit of Soles Hill. I had a scary moment up on the summit. I heard a buzzing noise and found I was in the middle of a swarm of bees. I abandoned some of my kit and beat a hasty retreat! Fortunately the bees also beat a retreat so I removed my bits and bobs and resumed my walk.

I walked through to Soles Hollow and joined the Manifold trail so I made sure I was dressed as the cyclists sweep up behind you without you hearing them. I picked some lovely wild raspberries before turning off and heading south again on the hills opposite Soles Hill. I saw one farmer spraying his field with his smelly chemicals before I got to the top of Mere Hill where I had something to eat, much to the amusement of a herd of cows.

I then walked back across the fields still naked to the road. Caution got the better of me and I slipped on some shorts and immediately afterwards a car came along. 

It turned out to have been a walk not of great length but of great interest and pleasure. It's not the miles you put into a walk that count, its what you put into the miles.

I've done quite a few free-range walks in that general area and hope to do more during the summer.

Oh and Mrs Davie had a good morning as our bank account can now testify!

Davie  8)