When I set off on my afternoon walk I wasn’t sure where it would take me. I followed my instincts as paths diverted along the way.

My first destination was Leegomery pool, the new ducklings declined to show an appearance. Where would I walk next?

I chose to walk along Hurley Brook which led to one of the Hadley Locks. Where would I walk next?

I chose to walk along the Silkin Way to the Hadley Park Windmill and back to the Hadley Lock junction where I opted for the long route home via Hadley Cemetery and a return to Leegomery Pools.

It was not the best of routes for a ’sit and rest a while’ bench, I had to do a detour to experience that pleasure

Today I met with a friend for a local walk, the weather was glorious. I enjoyed her company and sharing walking pathways that were new to her. As I set off to meet her I encountered one of my neighbours who was also setting off for an afternoon walk. We had a lovely chat before setting off on our different routes.

I was so busy walking and chatting that I forgot about taking photographs of our walk!

I gave Mr C the choice of walk for today’s excursion. He chose to walk to Hadley Locks via Hurley Brook.

I started the walk along a bridle path near to our house which connected to a walking route published by Wellington Walkers are Welcome. Part way around we struggled to find the pathway between the houses that led to the former water mill. After retracing our steps, we found the pathway and the mill. I prefer my usual route to Hurley Brook, it is prettier, does not involve walking through houses and it is only a few steps away from the path to see the mill.

When we arrived at the locks they were much more visible than earlier in the year. What a difference when autumn strips the leaves from the trees and bushes. They are guillotine locks which means they were opened by raising and lowering rather than a hinge.

Shortly after the locks, there was another point in the route instructions that was unclear. We set off on what we thought was the right path and ended up at a T junction that did not fit with the leaflet directions. I had a gut feeling of which direction we needed to go, however Mr C checked his mobile phone for directions and took us in the opposite direction. This took us down a derelict road near to a factory eventually emerging a short distance away from where we should have been according to the route instructions.

Mr C was not particularly enjoying his urban walking experience so although we were back on track I decided to flex the route so that it was slightly less urban. I set off on a route to Leegomery pools, at this point Mr C stopped to consult his phone. I told him he didn’t need it because I knew where we were. He sceptically put his phone away. When we emerged by the pool he exclaimed I didn’t realise we were here! This shows how different things can seem on foot rather than in a car.

Back at home we watched a movie before enjoying another fine dining experience, the last of my lockdown birthday celebrations.