Hello everybody! How’s your week going? We’ve been enjoying some beautiful crisp Autumn days here recently – the bright sun and cool air really helps clear the cobwebs. So, it will be no surprise to hear that Paddy and Plunkett have been out and about, and a little closer to home than usual, too. Let’s join them for a wander in the woods!
At the edge of the forest…
Ah, there they are! About to hop over the gate and go inside.
Uh-oh! Looks like excitement has got the better of Plunkett!
Fortunately, Paddy’s ninja-like reflexes saved him from a nasty tumble. But maybe next time they should go through the turnstile at the side, the way human visitors do.
Paddy has already spotted something interesting up ahead – that big white wedge-shaped stone!
“Hey, look! We’re in Canal Wood!”
Canal Wood is pretty young, as woods go. Volunteers from the Woodland Trust, a British conservation charity, planted the first trees to mark the millenium. Then, in 2014, extra funding allowed a few spiffy new features to be added, like better paths, a boardwalk over the marshy areas… And this sculpture! These leaves in the centre were designed by local schoolchildren – they show things like the wildlife you might meet on your visit, and the hand tools used to build the railway line and canal that border the woods.
To Paddy’s delight, it also features a Beastie-sized train and canal barge!
But as you go deeper into the woods, it’s easy to forget that these busy thoroughfares are close at hand. It’s so peaceful here! Plunkett is really in his element.
But peace and quiet isn’t really Paddy’s deal. It wasn’t long before he started looking for mischief… And he found it, in the shape of an unattended tandem.
He had high hopes of whizzing along the towpath of the Newry Canal on a bicycle made for two… Except that this one isn’t exactly made for two Beasties. Better just hop in one of the paniers and let the humans do the legwork when they come back!
Next stop, Poyntzpass!
This small village originally grew up around a crossing point in the surrounding marshes. Later, it became an important port on the canal, a link in the Belfast-Dublin railway and hosted a large monthly cattle market. It’s a little quieter now, but this beautiful metal sign celebrates its busy past. Plunkett had a closer look while Paddy dashed off to get some coffee – because of course, Paddy needs more hyperactive energy.
As well as the cattle market, horse-drawn barge and railway, the sign also shows the old schoolhouse and celebrates the awarding of the Victoria Cross (the most prestigious military decoration in Britain) to a locally-born man. Plunkett couldn’t resist getting a little closer – but then…
Oh no! He’s been bartered for a prize cow!
Will he ever find his way home? You’ll have to join us next week to find out!
Isn’t Plunkett looking smart in his tweed waistcoat and cap!
Thanks for another delightful post. The story of the newly planted forest lifts my spirits
Thanks, Mariss! I love spending time in this woodland when I head “up North” for a visit! Now, if only I could be as stylish as Plunkett… Cheers for stopping in!
Haha oh dear Plunkett, that is a mighty fine looking cow! Those woods and that weather look an absolute delight. Nothing better than cool, sunny days and fresh air! Thank you for sharing!!!
Glad you like the cow… Because by the looks of things, it’s going to be “the adventures of Paddy and Cow” from now on. 😂 Thanks for popping in for a breath of fresh country air with us… We city dwellers need more of it!
Wow, Plunkett is defying some serious level of physics in that second photo. That, or he’s really been working his core muscles! I want to know what’s up with that cow though. She appears to be eating that guy’s belt…and it’s probably a LEATHER belt. Cannibal Cow!!!
Hmmm… Actually, you could be right! I thought Plunkett was falling over, but maybe he’s really showing off the benefits of his patented Plunkett Power™ abdominal workout programme and health shake range! Working out in a tweed cap and waistcoat is all the rage these days. As for Cannibal Cow… Wait a sec, aren’t they a band? I think I have their album somewhere… 😁
Ackkkk!! You just made me look up “cannibal cow” and now I’m going to have nightmares for days. Maybe some of that “health shake” of Plunkett’s will help calm me down.
Ooooops, sorry Tammie! But as the old adage goes, “a hearty blast of death metal a day keeps the Dark Lord Sheeran at bay”. That, and a good glug of Plunkett Power™ Superjuice®. Try it today!
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Ninja like reflexes? Ha! They both look wonderful in that green landscape – it is as if they were all coordinated! I always enjoyed seeing Beastie adventures (and demonstration of their Ninja-like reflexes!!!) 🙂
Heehee, thanks Tierney! And yes, Beasties do seem to have a connection with woodlands and green places… They like nothing more than gadding about in the trees. Also, Paddy made me put in the bit about his Ninja-like reflexes… He’s been binge-watching old Kung Fu movies again! 🙄