Mr C has recently retired and today, I managed to persuade him out of the house for a local walk around Apley Woods. After leaving the woods I led him back home taking the long way round. Although in a familiar place he wasn’t quite sure where he was until the local shops came into view. Then rather than take the direct route home he decided on the most scenic route home.

It is our intention to complete the Telford Coronation Walks but today wasn’t the day for one of those.

I chose a local route to complete my memorial walk in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.  The walk was perfect with both sunshine and showers.

I will now retrace my steps on my virtual route from London back to Windsor (just under 29 miles), concluding with a ‘real’ walk along the ‘Long Walk’ from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue of King George III.

I only had time for a quick walk without the opportunity to stop and take photos along the way. I took a couple of photos towards the end of my walk.

Over the month I walked 346,227 steps (139.51 miles).

The booking arrangements had changed since my previous visit (four years ago) and the letter with directions was confusing.

I walked through the hospital grounds to find the testing unit in the same place it has always been so I continued my walk, exiting onto the Silkin Way and Apley Woods beyond. I chose the woodland walks rather than walking around the pool.

The woods are so pretty at this time of year.

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

In early 2020 an unexpected virus arrived affecting our lives, causing us to stay at home for a while to stop the virus spreading and getting out of control. During this time Captain Tom Moore inspired many people with his uplifting spirit of life and walks round his garden to raise money for the NHS.

It was an honour to walk in memory of him on the day of his funeral and pledge my miles as a donation to his Charity Foundation. I was joining others from the #walk1000miles community walking their own miles to celebrate his life.

Mr C accompanied me for what turned out to be a 5 mile walk so my donation will be doubled to £20.

After lunch I took advantage of a sunny interlude to go on an afternoon jaunt. I took in Little Apley Pool and Tee Lake before making my way home along the Silkin Way.

I had another encounter with a dog that wanted to be by me. I had stepped off the pathway to let the owners and their two dogs go by (with social distancing in mind). One of the dogs had other ideas. He came over to me, looked up at me and stood by my feet.

He refused all calls to go back. As he turned to his humans he buried his nose in the soggy leaves and retrieved a stick that was completed concealed to my eye, still staying at me feet. I have to confess it always makes me feel special when a dog greets me in this way

The owner came to retrieve him, apologising in my face they did so. So much for me trying to respect social distancing…

I beat a hasty retreat and continued my walk home without further incidents.