We walked up through Totteridge to the Orange Tree pub, past two lost-cat signs. The first read: "Small sized black & white missing cat. If found or seen please contact Emma". The second was for nine-year-old Casper: a “large tabby with a short coat and a very stripey tail" – a "Much loved family pet, We think he's gone for a wander as he's was upset by moving house from Finchley.” (sic)
We walked down past the recently dredged duck pond
(1) and found a sinister face mask on the grass (see
HERE), then – avoiding the dog mess – began the trek across the scrubby meadows towards the garden centre.
1:
The ground was already hard and cracked after a few weeks with minimal rain. There were bluebells, forget-me-nots and wild garlic growing along the edges of the path. A blackbird sang an exceedingly pretty song. The distinct aroma of horses made itself known, although the horses themselves remained out of view – as did the humans. There was no one to be seen, as usual. Only a dumped washing machine
(2) spoiled the idyll.
2:
At Finchley Nurseries Garden Centre, we said hello to the huge-but-fake bear
(3) and the small-but-real shop cat, Amber.
(4) A second cat lurked in the back room. At one time there were many more living there, plus a friendly black dog.
3:
4:
We walked back to Totteridge via the "rat poison" field
(5), attempting to focus on the horizon to rest eyes weary from close-up scrutiny of screens and gadgets.
(6)
5:
6:
We walked past the scary, graffiti-covered abandoned barn
(7) and wondered, as usual, if we would be mugged – or worse. It was a relief to make it back to Totteridge Lane and the reassuring roar of cars thundering too quickly down the hill.
7:
Miles walked: 4.9
Cats spotted: 2
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