Back to Testwood Lakes, which lie alongside the M27 motorway today for a Sunday afternoon stroll.
Plenty of other people were doing the same thing, or simply walking dogs, but then it was a perfect afternoon with lots of sunshine, yet a breeze to keep the heat down.
But if you chose to laze alongside the lake, even picnic, it seemed another world from the haste of the nearby motorway — although on a Sunday afternoon, London bound there would not have been too much haste about the journey. Like most Sunday afternoons in summer, the volume of home going traffic from the coast was almost at a standstill, or at best moving slowly.
Fortunately in summer you cannot see the motorway from the biggest of the lakes because it is well screened by trees. Or maybe it is the lakes which are screened from the motorway.
Either way it provided a relaxing place by the water, or even maybe on the water, although water activity is only encouraged for local Sea Scouts who have their base by the lake.
For me the lake is a place where I can walk and gain some exercise while I can. It's just short of a mile all the way round, and one of those clever apps on my phone will convert that to calories burned, and all manner of other information which basically salves my conscience as to whether I can have one or two beers later on!