Today I was going to Appledown Rescue Centre www.appledown.co.uk and walk the dogs but the weather looked a bit gloomy and threatening so I decided to go to Marsworth to see the narrowboats.
Walking along the towpath I noticed a young man with his two spaniels, not very special you would think but then this chap was driving a mobility scooter and the dogs were enjoying themselves running alongside. Dogs are always a good conversation starter so I commented on how nice they were.
I always enjoy a chat and felt very lucky to be walking the towpath after hearing his story. Apparently he was riding his motorbike four years ago and was hit by a young driver who was on drugs leaving him unable to walk. He has four dogs and takes them out on a circuit around the reservoirs and along the towpath. He said he probably would have gone mad had he not been able to get out with his dogs at Marsworth. Just one example of how the canals and waterways can help improve peoples lives.
Back to my walk, here is narrowboat The Cats Whiskers moored at Marsworth.
Walking further along the towpath narrowboat The Muttz Nutz was approaching
lock 43
so I hung around and had a chat with the skipper while they were going through the lock with the help of the volunteer lock keeper who has been boating for 35 years, no wonder he looks nonchalant working the lock.
All in all a nice two hours out from my caring with a sobering thought never to take things for granted.
