An irresistibly beautiful morning greeted us, sunlight flooding the front of the house, a cool breeze wafting in from our bedroom window, and an impulse to leap out of bed assailing us. Perfect conditions for an early morning ramble through the forest trails. And Jackie and Jillie just as willing to forge the day by an early outdoor start. When we left the house it was a respectable 20C, with all signs pointing to the realization of another 30C day of full sun.

So off we went. Everything alongside the forest trails has grown immensely this summer. The burdock has grown to enormous size. We passed one leaf that was larger and longer than Jackie. Come another few weeks they'll be sporting their flowers that turn into wicked landmines in fall, traps for furry animals in the winter months.

We weren't out all that long before we came across an old acquaintance again, just as we had yesterday. Walking his Malamute, Maya, considerably more staid now than she was a few years back, as a puppy full of vim and vinegar. And her inbred hunting instinct that propelled her after foxes in the forest. Our friend's wife took to putting an electronic collar on Maya, so that when she ran off a slight press of a button would recall her. In the interim, if she caught up with a squirrel or a fox mayhem would have resulted. She was responsible for the death of at least one fox, that we know of.

Adulthood has cured much of that instinct, as well as constant vigilance, though she's seldom leashed. Jackie and Jillie get on just fine with Maya. And we accompanied one another for a good distance before separating, finally, making off on our separate directions.

We take most of the trails at a leisurely pace, requiring very little energy output. That pace allows us to take note of things happening on the forest floor, though at this time of year there's a density of ferns but not much in the way of flowering plants that need sun, which cannot now penetrate the thicker forest canopy. The continuous ascents and descents of the hills give us a good enough physical workout.

There are trails that connect with other major trails, the minor ones narrower and presenting different landscape views, some with a bowered aspect so that looking ahead into them one has the impression of entering a dark tunnel.

On our way out, as we ascended to the plateau level with the street, we passed a few Himalayan orchids growing among the far more numerous Pilotweed and thimbleberries. One of the plants has had a head-start on flowering, not the tallest, but obviously the more vigorous of them, and the bright pink orchid flowers are slowly emerging from the promising flower buds, bright sparks of colour amongst the dark green, large foliage of the plants.

Jackie and Jillie as usual, amble about the garden walkways, patiently waiting for us to decide to enter the  house and begin breakfast. After breakfast, though the heat of the day was well advanced, we both went out to the backyard and the front gardens to tidy up a bit, cutting back too-vigorous growth, and sweeping up the organic detritus that is forever gathering where trees overhang and spent flowers drop.

While we were busy out front, as often happens someone walked by with their own dog, activating Jackie and Jillie to assert their sovereignty, and us to apologize for the racket our two make. This time it was a young woman with a little girl and their little Shih Tzu, a friendly little dog ensuring that the three got on well together. They obviously live close by though they were strangers to us. But as usual when people pass by and see us in the garden they strike up conversations alluding to the garden, but also remarking on my husband's stained glass windows.

And since my husband is fairly loquacious, he is the one who ends up in long conversations with people while I make my exit and carry on. As far as personalities go, when we were young he was more of an introvert and I an extrovert. Over the years, our personalities have done a switch.