Delighted to get out!

6 April
Such a bright, warm day,
a walk along a little river
in Bucknell village.
Sunlight glinting on the  water,
and the tumbling, bubbling sound of ripples.
Primroses here, a violet there,
bright white stitchwort here
sparkling carpet of wide open celandines in the verge.
tree buds opening, limp leaves expanding, filling out,
some coppery at present.
blackthorn white blossom, dog’s mercury later in the wood.

 – then as we are about to loop back
“Shall we just go around the base of this little hill in the wood?”
Bare branches mean lovely views of surrounding hills.
We miss one turning
(works in woods make new tracks,
confusing the map-reading)
and have to climb a bit more 
– he has to go slower than he likes as is recovering from a heart attack
but she’s always been slow
and now a bit slower from health issues,
so that helps the naturally bouncy one to slacken pace.
On down the hill and back into the village
well-satisfied and delighted;
off home.