Project 365 day 287: Canal walk

On Thursday afternoon we returned to the Royal Military Canal at West Hythe, which I wrote about three weeks ago. This time we walked east along the Military Road, which is now a cycle and bridleway (shown in the extra). The firm, gritty surface is perfect for wheelchair pushing, and the autumn colours alongside the path were lovely, with gaps in the hedgerow to our left providing occasional views up to the edge of the Downs, but we could not see the canal. After the ritual picnic stop for a drink and J's dessert (chocolate caramel squares we baked on Sunday), we returned along the canal side path. This is more uneven and narrower, with tree roots and more gradients, but the late afternoon reflections in the water made the harder pushing worthwhile. It was a good afternoon: I left home cross and frustrated, but walking among trees and landscapes always calms my mood and restores my joy in the world.