Use it or lose it!

Anyone who has dogs knows they are a mixed blessing. Whatever the weather they get you off that sofa and out for a walk come rain or shine. What could be better than taking your long haired retriever for a walk down the lane on a wet and windy November day? Many things spring to mind especially when you return to the kitchen with the smelly mud hound!

However there is little to compare with walking on a beautiful summer's morning with your dogs down to the "Roman Bridges". (I know they are not Roman but everyone I meet calls them that.)

However this year's combination of really hot days and the recent rain have played havoc with the vegetation along the path. In particular stinging nettles are making a significant reduction in the width of the path in several places. That's manageable if you have your thick trousers and hiking boots on. Venturing out in shorts and sandals can be painful and youngsters always know better and cannot be warned that pain lies ahead. This can become a real challenge if you meet cyclists or even horses along the way.
So who should tackle these walkways?
A report to the Parish Council meeting on August 19th suggested that CWaC are chopping budgets in this area as their finances are squeezed. (A more detailed article on this will follow in the next couple of days).
If we don't use these paths then we will lose them. So take a branch with you next time you go down to the bridges and knock down a few nettles. However its important that you only tackle those nettles growing onto the path as nettles are a haven for spiders, insects and some butterflies.
As is often the case nowadays it seems that its becoming a question of self-help.

When you get to the bridges however it all seems worth it- what a peaceful scene.

Even my Labrador knows that a splash around at this time of the year in the Gowy is not met with any disapproval.