Herbal hike

You’ve heard of the Spice Route, right? Well, yesterday I did the Herbal Hike.

The amount of exercise I’m getting doubled recently after my friend Jean, who works from home three days a week asked me if I could help out with taking the delightful Dexter for walks on some of her work days. So it’s now Dexter and me on Mondays and Wednesdays, Joe, Georgie and me on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For yesterday’s walk with Dexter, I decided to stay closer to home.

When Mike and I bought this place in the 1990s, there were two trails very close to the house that we used to use a lot. One that started pretty much across the road would get me to the ferry if I was going to town as a foot passenger. The other, off a nearby road, led to a decent (at the time) parade of shops and to a beach. Both trails, which used to connect with one another, were frequently used, although they were on large lots, which were then unsold and empty. Since then both lots have sold. One to a wanker who immediately blocked access, the other to a lovely person who did, yes, fence the property, but did so ensuring a trail still existed.  

I think you can guess which one of them has this, my favourite gate on the island.

As for walking to the ferry, I can still do that, but I have to access a trail much further up the road into what is now a park. (Wanker.)

I’ve used part of the other trail a number of times in recent years, although there is a branch I haven’t walked for some time.

One of the delights of this trail in the summer is the fact that a fairly lengthy stretch is bordered by lemon balm on both sides.

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If anyone on the island ever needs bags and bags of lemon balm for something, there is a place to go. The smell is divine. Not that Dexter appeared to notice. He’s far more interested in checking and leaving pee mail.

Honestly, could this dog be more adorable?

My destination yesterday was not the beach…

 … but a field accessed by one of the side trails. The last time I went through this field, it was covered in mint. Once again, the smell was divine. Now, not so much. (Hardly at all.) It’s been choked out by grass and bracken.

I’d be surprised if you can spot any mint in there at all. (Took me a while.) Well, that’s kinda sad.

There used to be a sweet little fairy house at the bottom of one of the trees on this trail. Either it’s gone or I failed to spot it.

I did spot this.

Horseshoe, bone and maybe a melting star? I have no idea what it is supposed to mean, but I’m hoping good luck.