Diary of a 21st Century Nobody - Woodland hazards

We own a dog: I'm sure I've mentioned that fact (in fact, I think he has featured in at least one Diary episode!). One of the best things about having a dog is the pleasure to be gleaned from walking him every day: it has enabled us to explore further the environment around us, get to know people out walking their dogs too, and made us all more fit in the process!

I think my favourite walk (we have about 7 different routes we walk together) is the 5 mile one through a nearby wooded valley, and we do that at least once a week, all year 'round, whatever the weather. Each season brings it's own pleasure to the scenery we walk through; but each brings it's own problems too - hayfever in Summer, ice and snow in Winter etc etc. This has meant that in the 5 years we have been walking the route we have become alert to the hazards around us, and adapted walks accordingly.

In the Summer I always carry a water bottle to stay hydrated, and my antihistamine; in Winter I dress for the conditions - lots of layers of clothing because you get very warm clambering up and down that valley, and need to shed a coat or hat on occasion; and always,always I wear my sturdiest walking boots - this is not a route for wearing sandals or flimsy footwear, whatever the weather. Whilst out walking we watch for hazards on roads, in fields, along the beck, and amongst the trees; such hazards as traffic, other dogs, horses and especially the state of the paths we walk on -they can be very slippery when covered in fallen leaves, muddy in the wet, and treacherous if it's icy. Oh yes, we are very much in touch with our surroundings as we walk..... So, imagine my surprise one morning when a bizarre incident befell me..

It was Autumn and, with the trees stripped of their leaves, the view through the woodland was open and far reaching. The day was thankfully dry, so there was no need to keep our eyes downward checking for mud. Perhaps it was these pleasant conditions that made us (there were 3 of us walking that day) so relaxed and less vigilant: mind you, when it did come, the hazard was from such an unexpected source that vigilance would not have made a difference!

As we strolled along, the dogs exploring the forest floor ahead of us, there came the sound of branches cracking and suddenly I was struck so hard on the shoulder and then forearm that I was certain I had been hit by a branch.....but no! the dogs were in full pursuit of whatever had hit me as it landed slightly ahead of them on the path... I had been hit by a falling squirrel! It had clearly clambered onto a branch above us that was weak, and as the wood split, the creature landed on ME! Hazard-spotting has taken on a whole new direction now......