I'm so lucky but rather baffled.

Just near me is an old coal mine that the forestry commision has taken over and changed into a local beauty spot, it has some lovely walks, loads of wildlife - kestrels, rabbits, pheasants and even some deer have made it their home A lovely big pond / lake for doggy swims!

It's in the middle of a council estate and it's always empty!!!

I've walked there for about 6 yrs now and even in the height of summer hols whatever time you hardly see another person/dog! I just don't understand it, me and my 3 spend hours there some days and maybe see 1 other person - when I was a kid I would have lived there I reckon making dens etc
Not that I'm complaining at all All I can say is thank god for xboxes and wii's !!!

I've stopped day time walks with Rupert after seeing no less than 5 people literally dragged past my front window yesterday. Not risking it I'm afraid. We'll stick to late night walks again.

ClaireandDaisy I almost feel guilty as I am coming down to Southend on Monday from Norfolk, going to see Paul Rodgers at the Cliffs Pavilion but I promise to behave!

lol.. I had to go there last night ,it was quicker to get around the m25 than it was to get through southend ..
Is the traffic that bad all the time ...????

Yes.
It`s actually quicker to get the train through Southend. Come to think of it - it`s quicker to walk.

We hit it where that big Tesco extra is ...
Is it true you can only walk 4 dogs at a time in southend ????

I couldn't believe this morning when I took Tilly for a walk on the farm just before 7am - we saw no less than 15 dogs & walkers (some had 2) on our walk!!
Normally we see about 2!! Where are they all coming from & where are they when it's freezing!!

Yup!

I was walking past a thick hedge in front of someone's house yesterday and Merlin stopped for a poo. I was ready with the bag immediately - practically held it under his tail! - but heard a voice from the other side of the hedge mutter:
"F***ing dog sh**ing on the pavement!"
So I said "Excuse me?" but heard nothing back. My sister reckoned I should have said I'll have a poo in his garden myself next time.

Bank Holidays - well I hope everyone goes away, I really do! Last Sunday they announced that due to council funding being withdrawn, there will be NO buses AT ALL running on Bank Holidays. So I am stuck here, can't even go to visit relatives in the next town. (And the last bus home from there has been cut to 8.30pm - used to be 11.30pm!).

I would think that by the time you add up Easter, Royal Wedding and may Day holidays that will amount to a whole week of me not physically being able to travel anywhere further than I can walk.

ah, school holidays are a heaven for us. We live round the back of a school. When school is open, I dare not leave the house between 8.30 and 9.30am, or 2.30 and 4pm ish, because the little cherubs (****s) cannot walk to school (cars everywhere) drop litter, and cannot move for mothers and buggies..so atm is lovely and quiet!