It started as a normal walk in the morning last Thursday. We had no idea what was ahead for us. Out of bed and we were dressed ready for the day ahead. Lenny looked at me, I looked at him and we wandered around the house watching the pesky rabbits cavorting in our garden, just out of our reach through the doors. Once we were allowed into the garden the rabbits had disappeared, along with the possibility of us having some fun chasing them around. Out the gate and we were loaded into the car? What was this sorcery? Along the lane, turn right, then left and follow the road until we make a sharp right and left and we are parked. As soon as the boot is opened we sing the song of the breed whilst impatiently waiting to be released for the inevitable shenanigans to commence.
As we leapt from the car we were both warned to behave ourselves and off we trotted along the estate road toward Ludlow. We’ve walked this route before so we knew roughly what to expect along the way. We were not disappointed.
Rounding the first bend there were cows to the right and squirrels running across the road ahead of us. I watched in disbelief as Lenny stood and stared, silently, at the squirrel which wandered across his path, no more than 10 metres away. No pulling, no shouting and no wild eyed intent to dentally lobotomise it. Just watched it trot across his path! As we strolled on, the road rose and fell through the contours of the wood. Through the gate and toward the piggery which is always a good source of snacks for prying noses and beagle teeth. Sadly our parents were wise to our intentions and our leads were shortened significantly. I went splashing through puddles and then looked in horror once more as Lenny avoided walking through the puddles. I was in shock. On we went, past the potato fields and around the corners to see Ludlow Castle and St Laurence church loom into view. We crossed the bridge at Dinham, in the shadow of the castle, and then wandered down to the river so I could have a drink. Apparently all the puffing, pulling and singing since we had left the car made me thirsty. Then we went up the hill into the town which was a bonus. The market had just started, people were arriving for work and the town was getting ready for a new day.
We peeked down little alleys, wandered along medieval lanes, strolled past old shops and churches and then down along a broad street which was, aptly enough, called Broad Street.
Through the old gate we headed back down to the River Teme at Ludford Bridge. We (Lenny and I) were getting hungry as we realised we had missed our breakfast to come on this jaunt so we turned the parents around and strolled them back up through the old gate. At this point we were turned left and we explored some narrow winding lanes which we hoped would lead us back to the first bridge at Dinham and thereafter back to the car. Having navigated past some lovely houses and courtyard properties we found ourselves descending toward the bridge and back along the road. As we strolled along it was clear that we were getting more tired as our pulling and general lead shenanigans had decreased. Apparently this was good news for our parents shoulders. As we wandered back through the piggery the leads were shortened, puddles were again avoided by a certain brother and we found ourselves soon back at the car for the return journey.
We had to make a quick pit stop at the local produce farm food shop as the food is delicious.
Once home we ensured that our missing breakfast was adequately fulfilled and then we snoozed off the 10km walk that we had just performed. Ludlow is a nice place with plenty of history and places to explore. We will go again I am certain, maybe to explore some other parts of it. For the time being I will rest easy knowing I have explored some of it. I must admit though, I am rather worried about Lenny and his apparent lack of Beagle-ness.
Dexter 