On Saturday, 7th May,  as the sun peeped through the clouds,  our group of eight walkers began what was a lovely stroll down by the banks of the Grand Canal from Hazelhatch to Sallins, a distance of eight miles. It was beautiful weather for walking, not too warm, with a gentle breeze.

This walk brings you from amid the cluster of dwelling barges into the natural noise and silence of the countryside and back to another bustling little harbour of more little boats and barges. From time to time you hear the rumble of the intercity train which crosses once overhead and there are four road bridges to be passed under. The gentle movement of the canal along-side all the way cannot but calm you down as you stroll past. There are beautiful old dwellings along the route as well as the Lyons Estate. As you see the overflows from the canal creating new streams and the artistry of the small aqueduct you cannot help but marvel at the engineers who constructed these water highways many years ago!

The group walked and talked at an even pace and there was plenty of reminiscing about the Camino pilgrimage which we had all experienced together. We stopped by a lovely lock to have our snack slightly envious of the people who lived in the nearby bungalow.  What a romantic place to liv!. It took almost three hours (including the break) to reach Sallins where we had a welcome cup of coffee. Then we went our separate ways.  Lucy and Niamh took to the tow path again to make the eight mile reurn trek, while the rest of us bailed out by car back to Hazelhatch - our excuse, “we needed to get home”! Well done to all!

One of the striking features of today was the number of young people out in the hills with their girl guide and scout groups. That, along with the fresh air did our hearts good!