We have a canal at the back of our house, on the other side of our fence. There is a bridge which I have crossed many times, going to shops etc. As I cross, I always take a look both ways and often see ducks, herons, and the odd boat etc.
I think to myself that it's nice to see the water as really we are on the outskirts of a big city and then I get on with my business. My DH said today 'shall we take a walk along the canal bank?' I said 'why?' He said that a new path had been laid and it might be nice to take a walk. So I agreed to a short walk as it is so hot. Now, we have lived in this house for over 30 years and we have never done this before. What an eye-opener. We ended up walking for ages. We saw ducks, some with ducklings, fish, willow trees, dads with their children with fishing nets and buckets, a few friendly walkers, cyclists, joggers, we could hear children playing in gardens behind the trees along the bank. We came across bridges and old fashioned signposts. The only downside was litter in some parts. Who knew all this was there at the back of our rather small semi in a city suburb. We drive for miles some weekends looking for somewhere pretty and it was here all the time!
