Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Monday, May 24, 2010

A crowded lake

There was a huge crowd around my lake yesterday. There was a triathlon going on and while I was walking the swimming part of it was happening. I like walking around the lake but I wouldn't want to get IN the lake. But there were 2400 people who did want to! They went in batches at a time.
Here's the lake when I first got there.
You can see the swimmers in the distance.
There were people in boats out among the swimmers just to be there for anyone who needed help.
This picture is down the left side of the lake. Here are some of the swimmers just finishing their swim. The crowd made it a bit hard to walk fast along the path.
I ran into a couple of my walking friends and we stayed for about 45 minutes watching the race.
Most of the wildlife were in hiding from all the people.

This morning it was nice to have the lake back to normal and to see the wildlife enjoying the lake once again. I saw the heron and I got real close to it. I walked ever so slowly and just stood still and watched. Didn't even try to get a picture, just stood there watching him. The deer, rabbits and all the ducks and geese were around too. It was a misty morning and I had to tote my umbrella with me. Sometimes I needed it and other times I didn't. The walk picture for today is of all the lily pads in the lake.I walked my usual 6 miles.

Ken spent the whole day yesterday at work. I was going to start my housework for the week yesterday afternoon, but ended up not doing anything but fun stuff. I read, knitted, watched a little television and did a couple of crossword puzzles.

Today when I got back from my walk I stayed outside for just a bit and planted some lavender on the side in the front of the townhouse. While I was there I saw a squirrel up by the bird feeder. I chased it away but I'm sure he'll be back. I'm thinking he just jumped from the railing. Don't think there is anyway for me to stop him.

Washed the front windows again. Trying to keep them clean for photo opportunities. :-)

I've been up in my loft this morning working on some weave-its. I haven't worked on that afghan for quite a while. As I made squares I listened to an audio book. Did that for over a hour.

Lunch time came around, ate that while watching Last of the Summer Wine. Now I have to go and get some work done around the house.

A Happy Monday to you.
Happyone :-)
There is no personal charm so great as the charm of a cheerful temperament.
~Henry Van Dyke

5 comments:

KathyA said...

Yes, those tri-athalons really affect the neighborhood -- cars, people, bikes! Poor animal inhabitants! I'm surprised you could even walk through!

Vee said...

Wow! It really was a takeover. Does that lake have a rock in the middle of it by any chance? I just discovered that my library has audio books online so I may be joining you in the listening to them. I think I'd enjoy doing that while folding clothes or sorting papers.

Barb said...

That is a great lily pad photo! My son would have been one of the swimmers in the lake - he does Tri's.

Ciciolina said...

very good ..
it's interesting for me, thank you .

Ruta M. said...

You might be interested in an annual event that took place here in barnstaple last week-end. It is the Night Walk, a ladies only walk of 6 or 12 miles along the Tarka Trail along both sides of the estuary crossing the river at Barnstaple.It takes place after dark and a lot of the walkers wear glow sticks. For the last few years the weather has been very warm. There are plenty of marshalls along the way and participants are rewarded with hot drinks and bacon rolls. The whole event is in support of our local Hospice which is charitably funded. Some of the staff from my school always do the Night Walk.For more serious walkers, later in the year there is the Star Trek charity night walk. This has to be done in teams and involves proper orienteering over the moors.