Hugo is on limited walking for a few days. He got over excited at a friend’s house and has tweaked his back. Just like a human with a bad back he needs rest, pain relief and moderate exercise.

I know which walk takes half an hour and because this blog prides itself on the repetition of  normal life, I took some sunny photos on my circuit yesterday.

It is bin day and this is a fine example of how camouflage works.

Our morning walk often has military men, carrying weapons doing training runs. This is so normal that the dogs pay no attention. We are fortunate that we live near the barracks and the men running past are fragrant adverts for mens grooming products. Not so much if I catch them on the way back.

Low tide at the beach is not the most scenic shot.

But the next shot also shows how well camouflage works.

With my back to the sea we head down Hutong Lane towards the Royal William Yard and a series of harbours.

Then a quick left onto some grass and to the first harbour.

Then we follow a boardwalk on the edge of a second harbour back towards the entrance of the Royal William Yard.

Maybe at this point I should do a little catch up on my pondering.

Ponder #1The efficacy of Camouflage.

#2 is more complex. Some babies are born with a rare condition where their heart is not fully enclosed by their ribs.

The Hutong Cafe is outside the Royal William Yard which is a thriving mixed use commercial hub with many cafes and restaurants.

The Hutong used to be closed on Tuesdays which is when this ponder first took hold. On Tuesdays this regular walk felt incomplete. The small cafe outside the yard sets the tone for the entrance and experience of the very grand, Royal William Yard, RWY. Recently the Hutong opened on Tuesdays, making everything feel right 7 days a week. Which gave me a spontaneous moment of clarity. The beating heart of the Royal William Yard is actually just outside. Aha, my useless information brain kicked out.

Ectopia Cordis!

Which is what I think every time the cafe has loads of customers. Many fresh from sea swimming, some mamils/mammals (Middle-aged men in Lycra). People who still go into the office within the RWY. People having work meetings in the sun.

Ponder #2. Ectopia Cordis.

Ponder #3 came from my earlier work on our little yard and the guns carried by the men in camouflage. Guns are a very rare sight in England.

I have been following yard or container growing pages on Instagram. A contributor yesterday suggested improving security when there is a rear access point. I read the article with interest as the rear doors on our yard are definitely a project for the future. The simple plan was to increase the length of the screws holding the hinges of the door to the frame.  All well and good I thought until the final sentence.

” A longer screw will give you additional time to arm yourself if someone tries to break in”

The contributor was from the U.S and, if I am honest, provided me with the most unusual yard/yardening advice I have ever read.

Ponder #3 I will stick with the shorter screws and offer a cup of tea , or run away.

And that concludes our very regular half an hour dog walk.