It was a favourite walk of ours.

For me: because it was local, right from our doorstep, a good distance, not too short, not too long (about 7000 steps/40 mins), covers a beautiful part of the Cromford countryside including my favourite spot in the whole of Derbyshire (standing on a particular outcrop of rock which is organised in such a way that you feel like you’re actually standing in the river), walking by both the canal and the river and with the fantastic views and life around Cromford Mills and Cromford Meadows. It really is a great walk.

For Jess: because the walk had everything she loved, lots to explore, a river and a canal to swim in, fields to run in and long grass, bushes and trees to sniff around in. She could spend 90% of the time off the lead, meet other people and dogs. She’d like to swim and retrieve sticks from the river or canal and there is even a set of wooden sculptures of small buildings which doubled as an agility course (I had taken Jess for Agility classes previously and these structures were great for doing just the same). There wasn’t really anything missing from this walk from Jess’ point of view – maybe rabbits.

Jess passed away last year in September and I haven’t been on this particular walk since then.

Yesterday I did.

It was beautiful weather, a great time of day just as the sun is starting to set, a nice temperature for walking and not too busy but with people still around, mostly other walkers like me.

I couldn’t think of a better name than ‘Ghost walk’ but that pretty much describes it.

I can’t describe how wonderful it was. Not only was it the usual mindful experience it is so easy to slip into on such a beautfiul walk – whatever the stresses in my life, it is so easy on this walk to just be in the moment, to enjoy the walk, the sights, the sounds, the fresh air, smiling and greeting others passing by, I have always found that on this particular walk – but because we’d enjoyed this walk so often together I really felt that I had Jess right there with me. It really was magical.

Why am I sharing this here I have no idea actually, it just feels that there may be something there of value – something about the combination of mindfulness which is obviously wonderful and very healthy, concerned with being in the moment but also balanced with good memories which obviously come from the past.

When I think of Jess I never feel sad, only happy and very grateful to have had so many wonderful moments with her. RIP Jess xx.