December 17 & 18
Yesterday was my lovely long walking day. Morning chores done, I gathered my camera, ipod, cap, coat, gloves and out the door by 9:30. Sun was shiny and it was a brilliant day.
Wasn’t really sure exactly where I would walk this morning, there were a number of choices to make .. and I really thought that I would only be gone maybe 2 – 3 hours tops!!
Well .. time had a funny way of behaving today, and I actually returned home about 3:50 pm … I’d been gone for 6 hours, 20 minutes! What transpired in all that time?
First .. I trekked along the Goose .. then diverted to the Nature Reserve. I slipped and slided a few times, there was frost and icy patches along the way. The comfy walking shoes that I wore were incredibly good for long walks, however, they lacked a certain gripping tension against the ice .. so I chose leafy, muddy sections for better traction.
Arrived at the observatory area .. took note of the frosty surface & decided to stay at the entrance & then return later in “an hour or so”! Threw some grains to the solitary duck couple that were gently, quietly, swimming about in the side pond.
A young woman passed by and proceeded to walk confidently along the frosty boards of the observatory, using the railing as a structure to do her morning stretches. I glanced at her shoes and saw that they were exactly like my other pair of walking shoes, multi coloured, funky and perfect for the frost … just sitting in place at home!
Continuing along a nature trail I paused to admire a massive gnarly moss-covered oak tree branch, stretching over the pathway down to the water’s edge. Very gothic in this early morning shaded area.
Encountered another passerby, her shaggy green hair, metallic facial piercings, funky velvet leggings perfectly matched her hair. Way to go, I thought, that is just the way I would dress now .. if I was, you know, just a few years younger. Her outfit spelled out personality plus. We chatted about the Sanctuary & birds and then each went our separate ways.
Reached a major intersection, crossed over, rejoined the Goose. Here is where I would think of which direction to take. Choice of 3 or 4 or whatever. Thought about the day .. and what I could do with it. Home & work outside. Or, something I haven’t done for a long time .. just aim for the Sears Plaza and zig zag towards it.
Again, it is such a new sensation .. walking the streets that I normally drive. It seems to have a completely new dimension. I notice more homes & gardens. Distances are longer by foot.
So I went up a long street, then another, then another, found myself at Playfair Park. Along the way talking to various dog owners .. happy little dogs. Entered a side pathway at the park (these aren’t always evident .. when I was a doggy mom, I found out some of these). Noticed a couple ahead of me, crossing a busy street and entering a pathway that I hadn’t noticed. So I followed suit! We chatted and I asked for any directions to the mall.
Following directions, I found myself at Kings Pond. Choice of two directions, I started walking when all of a sudden I heard the chatter of ducks, so retraced my steps. Saw a few little ducks. So I brought out my little bag of flatted oat seeds and began strewing them around. Suddenly there was a cacophony of sound as more and more ducks waddled and flew onto the path. Soon there were over 100 ducks all milling about. I felt as if I were in a rendition of the movie “Birds”. There were ducks behind, beside, in front, more ducks quickly waddling down the path to join the group.
I posted a little video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpUzyyaWXZs called “Ducks at Kings Pond, Victoria, B.C. Dec 17, 2010 .. kinda cute.
Two Mallard males were having a bit of an argument, one biting away at another. Then scuttling away in the droopy floppy wing action and waddle that ducks do when they are ticked off!
I finally put the grains away and gently walked along the edges of the pathway .. to continue my long trek, and left the ducks to peck away at the food and then they commenced their normal ducky activities.
Hadn’t been to this area for many years .. it is so beautiful and relaxing. The pathways in some areas are very springy .. like a natural moss filled pathway .. so relaxing.
Talked with other dogs & their owners. By this time I have no idea of time .. think that maybe I’ve been out for at least a few hours. Went shopping, wandered around the mall. Thankful that I don’t need to buy more clothes, shoes .. I have enough and that feels good.
Start on my return trip. Still enjoying my long trek. Enjoying the birch woods, feeling the dignity of the massive oaks quiet in their respected growing areas. This morning, I feel an atmosphere of calm, peaceful respect in the air around me, from the natural rock formations, the trees, the brush – it’s as if nature has been honoured here, by simply letting it be. And from the people who I speak with … all are happy to be walking along, enjoying this unexpected sunny day.
Again I reach Kings Pond. I decide that I’ll stay awhile. Notice some ducks having a sleepy siesta. Others swimming about. I see some other ducks also .. will look up their names. Very colourful.
A gentleman out for a Nordic walk, stops by with his dog Lou .. a shaggy intellectual dog, one blue eye, one brown, one ear up, one ear down .. Lou has this way of looking you right in the eye, seemingly encouraging you to speak with him. I smiled back! He then looked at another lady, who was entering the path and she just said that she couldn’t figure out why the dog looked at her like that .. I said “that’s just the way he is .. he wants to talk with you!” sigh .. not a dog person!
I ask her the time and it’s 3 pm already .. my day has been spent walking, walking, walking! Retracing my way home, and remembering some shortcuts, I make my way to the Mediterranean shop to pick up some spices to make a chutney.
Then it’s down to the sanctuary .. ducks must have congregated on the far side of the lake, I walk out the observatory boardwalk .. .no frosty surface there now! Looking around, can’t see any birds on the water. Must be bedtime.
Following the path in this beautiful area .. I do hear some ducks calling .. so I take a little side path to the water, scatter some grains on the water and then a lot on a large rock, figure the ducks will have a surprise breakfast tomorrow.
Reach home, omg, it’s almost 4 pm! And my feet are sore .. whew .. maybe I overdid it. Sleepy now, I continue with daily chores, too tired to prepare a proper dinner. But, very very happy .. this was a trouble-free day, one spent as if I were a traveller in another city or country. Where I normally spend the day walking and discovering. I haven’t had the luxury of doing that in many years. When I did travel, the majority of my day was spent thus. And I didn’t have to buy a ticket, this was free. And in turn .. freeing!
Today, involves just a shortish long walk. To pick up a few more spices. Then home to make that fig & apple chutney. Recipe from the Spice Goddess program on the Canada Food Network! Great show!!
