Now westlin winds…

…and slaught’ring guns bring autumn’s pleasant weather.

Roisin got me into that bit of Robbie Burns and it was going round my head as I tramped for miles and miles across the fields near Dorchester today, occasionally interrupted by someone blasting away at the pheasants.

I missed the Tour de Purbeck cycling because I was just so dog tired from work so I was desperate to get out in the fresh air.

I know the wildlife bores most of you rigid but for the more enlightened folk, today’s species list included: red kite, buzzard, troops of long-tailed tits, kestrel, sparrowhawk, one lone lapwing, great spotted woodpecker (and heard a green one), greenfinches, some bedraggled-looking dragonflies and a few remaining red admiral butterflies.

Most of the walk was lovely but I found myself getting irritated by the shotguns, chainsaws and incessant buzzing and droning of light aircraft and helicopters. Is there no peace anywhere? I spend a huge of amount of time on a runaway train called the rat race and I think all of us would benefit from the end of motorised transport. Is it really so important that we go charging about everywhere?

Take the chance to saunter down one of our green roads this autumn and you’ll see what I mean.