Enjoying the sunshine

The day continued its beautiful, sunny theme as we wandered along the bank of the canal, the dogs nosing their way in front of us, checking out every interesting smell along the way. We variously carried pints or mixers, and after about half a mile we came upon a stile to take us into M's chosen field.

We found a spot along a high bank which bordered the field with our backs to the hedge that separated us from the canalside path, and watched as the dogs raced each other at terrifying speed across the grass. I know applying human emotions to animals is wrong, but they seemed really happy, tearing up the grass and bouncing at each other, one seemingly trying to distract the other into making a mistake and tripping into a nice fresh cowpat.

We sat chatting and sipping our drinks, the shaman rolling yet another happyfag while M sparked what we thought was our own little cheeky smoke for the weekend, and passed it around. I was personally on the edge of giggly by this time, but I'd thankfully limited my beer intake so as not to turn into a gibbering idiot. The smoke worked its hazy wonders and I found myself seriously relaxed after the day's travels.

Relaxed, that was, until Sid started some odd behaviour. I don't know what everyone else thought about this, but I'll give you my take.

Sid got up and wandered over to the hedge to drain the lizard, and on hearing other people enjoying a walk along the canal path, shouted "Stop making so much noise, you cunts! I'll come over there and murder you!" He shouted a couple more times during our hour on the hill, mixing strong swearing with incredibly harsh insults.

Now, I joined with everyone and chuckled at him, somewhat uncomfortably. The thought that it could be me, out walking with my daughter, enjoying the sunshine and the tranquil nature of a rural canal and suddenly being assaulted with a tirade of swearing and threats of violent death, quite spoiled my mood. Another concern was that we'd be interrupted, and possibly assaulted, by anyone who'd taken offense at his outbursts. M might accuse me of a paranoid 'worst-case scenario' moment, considering what I will say to him in about an hours' time, but I don't think I'm being overly critical of Sid's behaviour.

I'll shut up about Sid in a minute, but I'd also like to record that he was needlessly insulting to our loved-up gentleman acquaintance, overly lecherous towards his lovely lady companion, and staggeringly incoherent after dipping into the smoke. His saving grace was his suggestion that he and the shaman race each other barefoot across the cow-shit minefield, which sadly never came to fruition. I also laughed nervously when he dragged the shaman all the way down the hill, silently hopeful that he'd stay within accepted social boundaries and not try it with me.

So, despite being slightly offended by Sid's shenanigans, it was mostly a chilled and amusing time in the middle of nowhere. When talk began of heading back to the pair's boat to continue the session, I indicated to M that it'd probably be better for our brains, and general wellbeing, if we thought about continuing on our walk, for fear of spending the evening ahead a pair of stoned, drunken idiots. I hoped to be reasonably sober to enjoy K's company, and the lasagne she'd lovingly prepared.

We made our goodbyes and good wishes, collected up the dogs, and started the journey back to the cottage.