Back on the track.

At the beginning of last summer, I posted here about the new rail link being re-instated close to our home.  In it I lamented the loss of the cycle path, which had been built on the site of the original rail track, and over the years had become a wildlife haven and popular trail for the townsfolk.  Well, at last it has been re-opened - not officially mind you.  We can only use it on evenings and weekends, when there is no construction work, but still, it is as if we can breathe again.  On Sunday, after dinner, it was such a fine evening that we decided to head along for our first foray in almost 2 years. 

It is a fine surface to walk or cycle along, but - oh my - there really is a railway track right alongside!

Still, in a year or so, the vegetation will grow back, and with some tree planting along the way, we will never notice.  In fact, those trees on the right there really have grown considerably since our last visit here.

Some of the landmark sculptures have been returned (almost) to their original place.  Reaching 'The Pipes' was always far enough for our old dog, and he would start to turn back at this point.  He did the same on this walk.

James was quite concerned on finding this uprooted tree, and wondered if it would fit onto his trike.  "It could be our Christmas tree!" he reasoned.

So, it was a different walk, and yet, completely  familiar - those big skies are still there.

The buzzard and the finches still fly over their patch, but have new places to perch on.

 And, of course, Mother Earth has already begun to heal the wounds.