They have long ago forgiven Max for the great flaw in his life; not having at his side a companion animal when he forges his way daily through the trails of the ravine. They are so accustomed to seeing unaccompanied Max, familiar to them throughout the years of their very young lives they would be amazed to see him with a dog alongside. When they view him in the distance they immediately recognize his bright red jacket and determined gait, and rush toward him in a tandem of excited barks.

Max is good enough to give them reciprocal and immediate recognition, taking his second walking stick in the hand already burdened with one, to bend toward them, kindly dispensing strokes. And then we three adults stand together as is our wont, discussing all manner of world affairs before taking our leave of him, to the great relief of Jackie and Jillie. As delighted as they are coming across others, dogs or people walking the trails in the forest, they're far happier when we get on with it and resume our walk.

Yesterday was a hard, cold and bright day, the temperature made even more acutely chill by gusting winds that penetrated into the forest from time to time. The winter atmosphere prevailing there is content to feel its entitlement to permanency. We think otherwise, of course, but for the time being, winter is ensconced firmly with no obvious intention to give way. We can't complain too much, for two reasons; the first of which it does no good whatever, nature take her own sweet time, and for another, eyesight access to the sublimely beautiful landscape that makes our presence there worthwhile.

We came across little Angus with our old friend from years way back when it wasn't a little Shih Tsu that she had with her but a strapping large brown standard-size poodle, long before Jackie and Jillie's time. Angus is the little fellow they now know and greet on the rare occasions when we come across one another. So out with the treat bag and the dispensing of little bite-sized cookie treats meant for very small dogs.

It's a lovely way to spend an  hour and more of any day, and we make the most of it, irrespective of weather conditions, reasoning that what we all four get out of these daily expeditions is well worth the effort it takes to achieve that satisfaction.