Walking for your health

Walking for your health

It’s winter by the grey King’s stone
And there a group of people you may find
With healthy walking on their mind
Over Clattern bridge and Charter Quay they pass
Then under Kingston Bridge by windowed undercroft
To Canbury gardens in the spring
Where daffodils raise their golden heads
From sinuous lines of darker green.
Onward still along paths now tunnelled o’er by May tree’s growth.
Spring is in the air and in their step,
Blossom delights the eye while on the river swans twine necks in amorous display
And industrious coots build nests of twigs and weed.
Now hear the river’s rush swollen by heavy rain
As it hurries to the sea again
The seasons progress as the walkers pass
So summer comes and the path they tread is scented with the smell of new mown grass
Yachts dapple the water with their coloured sails
And from small boats children scream and shout
Throwing water all about.
Teddington lock is reached at last, the walkers’ turn
And slower now they head back home.
For those who have the eyes to see blackberries now abound and grapes and apples can be found.
Their route’s soon paved by falling autumn leaves
And all too soon winter has come back
With walking boots and anorak.
Then reaching the King’s stone you may find
Another group with walking on their mind