I do enjoy long walks

4/ 4/2008

I SEE that ‘pensioner’ has taken up his/her pen again to write piffle.

How sweetly the writer describes me this time.

No talk of newts, I notice, rather my prowess in pool and gym is lauded, but he/she thinks I should start walking, take to the countryside. In fact he/she is ‘out’ again.

Not wishing to boast, last week, when I discussed my use of leisure centre facilities, I neglected to tell you that for the past 20 years I have owned dogs. My present one is a schnauzer called Trudie.

We have walked, oh, how we have walked. Trudie, though 11 years old (77 in doggie years) does not qualify for a free bus pass and there’s no way I’ll take off using mine without her, but then we don’t need to travel away from Flixton to enjoy the countryside – there are lots of lovely walks within a half-hour stroll from our home.

Hail, rain or snow, through all seasons and all weathers, we two walk between two and three hours a day.

On weather like last weekend’s, Trudie in her little green waxed jacket and me in two pairs of socks, hiking boots, plastic overpants, proper hiking jacket and red ski cap with ear flaps.

Everyone knows us as we do our regular tramps around. I told you last week, friend pensioner, don’t write before you know the facts.

A swim or a gym session for £1 each visit, in your opinion, is good value – but it’s not as good as free use, which is what pensioners had for the 20 years before this skinflint administration took over in 2003.

Oh, and before you pick up your pen to advise me further, I also work in the garden – lots of fresh air and exercise pertains to that activity.

HILDA AND TRUDIE LAFFEY

Address supplied