by Roslyn Ocionnaith

Created on: June 01, 2008

I went for a walk this morning. When I say a walk ... Drove to the nearest forest park, two excited dogs on the back seat, looking forward to an enjoyable hour. The forest park is by the river Shannon, follows lough Boderg. It is not well known, not wildly advertised either. Indeed only locals know where to find and enjoy it.

With water traffic, tourists renting boats for a week-end or a week, one often finds a barge, speed boat or some other boat moored at the pier. That is neither unexpected nor unwelcome. However, and as local residents look after the park, new measures were put in place to stop litter bugs. Ramps and 15MPH signs mean nothing to us all as cars are barred from the forest. One simply parks by the gate and walks! After all it is about walking, isn't it?

It is a beautiful forest. Where old trees were felled, they have been replaced by, not only new trees but native trees to Ireland. For those who do not know trees ... Wooden signs bearing names of those help to educate visitors.

One can walk for over an hour, meet no one but a rabbit crossing the path, swans in the lough and, if very lucky! The deer, a pheasant, squirrel or badger.

My dogs love it and so do I. It is a place for them to sniff roots, trees, probably comment to one another "Now what is this smell? Do you think it could be a rabbit". Neither would hunt! Too happy to walk about, run and dive into the lough for a swim. To me it is, not only a forest, but a place of tranquility where I can forget about my troubles, difficulties, heartbreaks and simply find comfort and solace in a beautiful environment.

Picnic tables have been arranged in places, giving visitors a chance to sit down for a while, and relax. Sign posts state "No fire! No litter". No fire indeed! We all know the devastating affects of fire in forests. However some people don't seem to care much. One can find remnants of barbecues, sometimes ashes still warm. I do enjoy a sit down in the forest but I bring a flask of coffee, a home made sandwich, biscuits for the dogs and see no need at all to light a barbecue! Fresh air means more to me than a burnt out (Outside) Half raw (Middle) Sausage. Why the scents of musk, flowers and fresh air are too precious these days!

And as for 'No litter' ... My Irish Water Spaniel dived in the lough this morning, came back with a carrier bag in her mouth. I do know that and with no bin in the forest, some visitors may find it a little tiresome but surely ... What is wrong with bringing one's rubbish

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