A Walk By The Canal ...

Hi there, fellow Bloggers! I must start by thanking everyone for their comments on my previous posting. It always amazes me how many like minded people there are out there. There is warmth and friendship in this little community of ours. It seems such a long time ago now when I first heard of the word Blog and investigated a few. I can't believe that initially all I did was view blogs. I was too scared to leave a comment - can you believe it!

Then I started following a few blogs and some followed me and it all took off from there. Whenever I now see someone out and about with a camera I think - are they a Blogger too!

Anyhow, I digress as this post is going to be about our visit on Monday to Odiham in Hampshire - where we dined at an Italian Restaurant and then went for a walk along the canal towpath. I wish now that I had taken a photo of the Italian Restaurant. We had not been before and it was stylishly decorated and the food was delicious and reasonably priced. We will be returning there.

Well, after such a delicious meal there was a need to walk off the calories! We headed towards the Canal where you can hire a boat or canoe and even a barge. I loved the reflections of the boats in the water.

I liked the reflection of these Indian type canoes in the water - the reflection of the yellow canoe makes it look almost as if it were a giant banana or is it me who's bananas!

As we were walking past - the OH said, "There's a labrador on that shed roof."

KP and I said at the same time, "It's a cuddly toy snow leopard!"

I think he needs to go to Specsavers!

Colourful canoes!

I do like these kind of places. Peaceful and quiet. A time to reflect. A time to contemplate!

We set off down the towpath - we walked past the "John Pinkerton" and the OH informed us of the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

Another view of the "John Pinkerton!"

We walked along the path admiring the flora and fauna.

I liked the bright yellow flower. No idea what it is. Does anyone out there have any clue?

A bee!

We saw many groupings of this pink flower whose name I should know but now can't remember - I always seem to have brain fuzz when it comes to identifying flowers!

We came across a colourful snail.

And took a closer look.

We were intending on walking to Odiham Castle - which is just a ruin.

We were told that it was a five minutes walk, a twenty minute walk or a half hour walk depending on who we asked!

Although we walked some distance we didn't get to see the Castle and as it looked as if it was going to rain and we weren't suitably attired we decided that the best thing to do would be to get back to the car before we got a good soaking!

As soon as we got to the car the heavens opened and it was back home for us - once again this Summer we were mesmerised by the sound of the wipers on the windscreen and the weatherman doesn't seem to anticipate any change on the horizon.

Well, the Olympics are over - the closing ceremony has been and gone. If you had asked me three weeks ago whether I would have been watching any of it on TV I would have said that I would probably only see the snippets on the news bulletin but like so much of the country I was almost glued to the TV set.

It all ran smoothly despite the early fiasco concerning G4S.

One of the lasting impressions for me though (other than the fab achievements of the athletes) was Boris Johnson stuck on the zip wire for five minutes and his dancing to the Spice Girls - like an embarrassing Uncle at a wedding at the closing ceremony. You can't help but like him - he's far more fun than Red Ken!

Finally, I have some new followers that I need to say "Hello!" to. They are Connie at www.crafty-home-cottage.com/, Lesley at Riddlers Cottage Flowers, Julie at www.auntjanes-attic.blogspot.com/ and Tracy at If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Baked A Cake. Sorry don't seem to be able to get a link for Lesley or Tracy.

Until next time,

June.