Derive: All Roads Lead From and To Chorlton Park

As blogged earlier I had a fine walk with my trusty dogs this morning. Only downside was a faltering camera. But there are always pictures out there if you know where to look.

Proceed to Chorlton Park, the Water Park to be precise, exactly one mile around and one of my stamping grounds for almost 30 years now. Along the high road to Mersey Bank fields and on and on along the banks through Didsbury to Northenden.

All the while meeting and greeting or at least spotting dogs and owners strutting their stuff. And in glorious sunshine, albeit with a nip in the air, this was a veritable Crufts and Scruffs of the Mersey Bank.

First noteworthy encounter wasn't actually an encounter. Distracting the dogs so they didn't see I watched some stern old trooper schooling a poor Whippet pup in how to walk nice. A vertical lead in his left hand pulling the poor little thing erect and a stick in the right keeping him eyes forward.

Sheesh, some way to live! My three have been shown at a couple of lurcher shows and have a collection of rosettes but I take the judges at their word when they say they can put up with some snarling and insolence as long as no blood is drawn.

Onwards down the banks to the weir at the Tatton Arms it is across the foam with a few close encounters and onto leads for a stroll through the village. At the top of Boat Lane bump into Edwin who is rushing home to feed his Jack Russell. A lovely chat about the new Council doggie by-laws, doggie nutrition and doggie care. Onwards past a "Doggie In the Window" scenario where the camera is a particular let down.

And on and on. Past Jehovah's Witness HQ, the scruffiest Hotel in the Western World, and on to Wythenshawe Park. Another of my most regular stamping grounds, again for 30 years. A place of triumphs and despair.

But today of new mown meadows with their aroma of global warming. Of walking through one "Round" and round another. Of a close encounter with a golden retriever puppy and her Kurdish owner. Of a march past old Cromwell, climbing up to inspect but alas not photograph the presentation rubric.

Onwards past the West Lodge to Rackhouse Road and Kenworthy Farm and down towards the river. Great chat with some Park Guys about a ridiculously huge sign proclaiming "Oil Interception" (or similar, no camera) which reflects a sump underground which collects chemicals spilt on the motorway.

"So is it to stop people digging there?" I ask, the spot having been both undug and unprotected by signs for at least 30 years. "Yes" they say "But who will dig there?!" I ask "We might" they replied but they were uncertain why a huge sign - readable from the motorway itself might be needed. Short chat about the dogs' varied hunting instinct ensues.

Onwards towards the Water Park. But two Horseback Bobbies (more soon, I promise) are approaching and I decide to duck the dogs through a putative hawthorn hedge and avoid any confrontation. "Bobby" shouts a thank you. And I allow the change of course to persist and the dogs are pleased to encounter new ground.

When we reach the "bumps" they know by the Electricity Station and I have a guy relaxing on a bench laughing out loud with some amazing anecdote I cannot now remember. But then a huge rabbit, or perhaps a hare, runs across our path. The dogs are off, but way too late. I decide if they catch it it will be (a) a dead hare and (b) definitely a hare. But it is probably a rabbit with a hole to go to and it certainly lives.

Back to the banks and we meet a fidgety Border Terrier and then onwards via a Giant Schnauzer to Chorlton Park and home.

All roads ... Chorlton Park, just at the moment.