It’s a day off, start the day with a cup of tea and a fag sitting in the conservatory.

Breakfast by eleven get dressed and have another cup of tea and a fag, usual story.

By twelve it’s get the dogs bouncing by the door, excited and yelping “let me out I’m bursting”

Walking boots heavy coat and a pocket full of cigarettes.

Off we go a cause for great excitement being pulled along the path rushing to greet everyone we meet.

Turn left along Mill Street sniffing a favourite bit of wall, past the cottages, and the cat that sits and watches with contempt.

Turn right into smelly lane past the house of murphy the terrier, who now is never seen but often heard.

A lane that’s full of scents a ditch and a slightly muddy path, strangely we never see a bird.

At the corner it’s of the lead and onto rope walk, the salty scent of the marshes.

Puddles right across the roadway water on both sides. We’re coming up to the boatyard.

Houseboat dog stands and looks sometimes barks, saying don’t come to close.

Through the winding muddy path then onto a seawall with a nicely gravelled path.

Oyster catchers. Curlews and egrets take no notice as we walk past.

Greenshanks ducks and gulls on the flooded meadow.

Cross the field into backside lane it’s muddy and wet.

Along the tree arched path until we reach the horses.

It opens up we can see the sky again, up the hill towards the high street.

Back on the lead we walk along the path and we can see Hurst green.

Stop and look by the rosebud pub cross and we are on the green.

It’s our home turf I own this ground I mark my path towards home.

Nearly there cross into link road the wind is always cold and strong in this road.

We turn left and we are home, through the door and wait.

Hold my legs out one two three four now I am dry rush in and get a homecoming treat.

Settle down on the sofa that’s it let a sleeping dog lie.