In the week after Tim died, I started going for a walk on my own. I remember taking Timothy on longer “Saturday walks” down Torrington Road, past Ruislip Gardens, South Ruislip station, and back via Victoria Road. He always wanted a carry after Ruislip Gardens and then again somewhere along Station Approach. It wasn’t because he couldn’t walk, but either his heart was racing or he got disappointed that we didn’t go into the station to catch a train.
Another route we took was through the Torrington Road width restriction and up towards Ruislip – either passing the station and vets, or longer via the War Memorial at the duck pond. We went that way a lot in the ice around Christmas when Annette went to Singapore one year.
Everytime I walk through the width restriction and turn right towards Ruislip I always remember Tim in the ice with me in my massive duffle coat: he was so eager to keep going, and had a much better grip than I did.