I challenged myself to walk and write every day 
365 hike-ku's come what may

putting down words without trepidation or fear 

alas this writing journey comes to an end

with some regret, i say adieu to my readers and friends

This is the first time for over a week 

that Marc has been able to join us

Milou is happy, as it is both of us for company

or another doggy friend that she does seek

excited barks, frenzied circles chasing but never catching her tail

also birds and butterflies...but to no avail

Milou got to run with her very best mate

the two of them chased each other, long awaited

It was very warm this morning and the afternoon very hot

Taj celebrated by wallowing in the lake

however Milou is still wary and chose ....not

We walked the lake this morning

with a hot autumnal glow

beautiful blue skies and water

as far as a stone could be thrown

Milou and i walked to one of the highest points 

overlooking the Gers

dappled sunlight, and a wooded lane

a pretty chestnut, acorn littered path

spiny cases and leaves adorn in the autumn aftermath

Today our email was lost in the ether

we did not get to meet or greet our pals Taj and Jan

so all did not go according to plan

Milou however, a new beau did find

whom nearer to home we eventually managed to leave behind

A low mist left clouds on the water

the morning is very cool but destined to be hotter

heron and egret shadowed on the lake

plovers and ducks all of a flap, made for a big break

with as per usual, Milou, in hot pursuit, in their wake

A lovely late afternoon walk in the Cardeilhac Forrest

with the sun dappling through the leaves was gorgeous

a beautiful variety of many many trees

Milou and Daisy raced in and out 

until they were practically on their knees

Milou could not believe her luck

as we had a small run before school

then a second along spiky chestnut paths

all bathed in sunlight and laughs

it is now a a favourite trek

definitely our preferred sundeck

As usual a very beautiful but fairly cool morning

on all the trees, yellows and golds are now just forming

Mark and i, had vigorous ideas with our walk

we love the idea of conversing with the countryside

to formulate our talk

We woke early for this mornings ramble

from Larroque, with Milou and pom pom we ambled

we found a huge toad

which we tried to move as it was on the road

sadly we think it might already be injured 

We went a long walk across one of the five mountain ridges

along broad streams next to fields, criss crossed with mini bridges

fields and streams turned to forest

it was truly beautiful

the autumn sun played on the trees 

bright sunshine, but gentle breeze

Milou could not believe her luck

twice today she got to race around and chase the duck

some moved swiftly across the lake

leaving their glittering trails in their wake

others were left unperturbed

intent on their doing, therefore undisturbed

Again a smaller walk

another beautiful sunny day

Milou bounded along the shoreline 

needing someone else to play

Pom pom showed up in the the nick of time

leaping about very much in his prime

We set out late on account i was not much better

Milou was excited to be out, so i just let her

more snow has fallen in the night

visible across the peaks

it will be white again in just a matter of weeks

Today i am not felling well

bad sleep and a nose running like hell

the weather however is beautiful and bright

dancing again like a water sprite

upon the lake

There are signs of a sprinkling of first winter snow

the mountains are just visible, later they are out on full show

clouds and the extraordinary light 

are always a feast to me of pure autumn delight

Today was fragmented for Milou regarding a walk

the weather looked uncertain

by the time we arrived it was a hot sunny day

a bit too hot to run and play

later we did the usual tour

for Milou, Marc and i, it will never be a bore

This morning the heavy mist has moved

the weather , a little colder, is much improved

the sun again plays on the water

individual light crystals dancing on the lake

never sure on which direction they might decide to take

It is wet wet wet, heavy mists and generally grey today

the countryside and gardens need it in every way

Milou waits patiently but does not understand 

why nothing is going, quite the way she planned