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Of course, Pigale!
That is one of my fondest memories of Ireland.
Everyone speaks.
A habit I have carried across the water!
Most days of the week, the only chat I have, is with the ASDA girls.
So... I make the most of it!
PS. I also do the ASDA questionaire regularly, and praise the staff to high heaven!

Morning, Pigale!
Having a dog is a good way to meet folk and make friends! all dog walkers talk to each other, regardless of whether or not they 'know' each other!
I've met some pretty amazing people!

Morning Elle,

Dog walking is a good means of bringing people together - for one thing, they know straight away they have one thing in common !

I have in smallish places for a fair while now, both in UK and France, and I am so used to the more friendly attitude of country folks that whenever I go to Paris, I am surprised that I don't meet anyone I know when walking in the street -In the bus or the tube, I even sometime say 'good morning/afternoon' on entering, and then people look at me in a funny way!

I have made such good friends over the years, just by walking in the local park with our dogs. Everyone greets you if you are with your dog; it seems to bring out the best in people. When I lost my husband to cancer some years ago, I was sitting on a bench in the park, with my dog lying at my feet and a complete stranger came up to me and introduced herself. She sensed that I was in need of some guidance. We have remained friends ever since. One man had a terminal disease and it was his dog and the morning walk that kept him going. He would not walk that far, but loved to talk with everyone he met. He was a very knowledgeable person and it was a pleasure to discuss and learn, everything under the sun, while his dog and mine just lay there impatiently ! Since then, I have met others who have been bereaved, or who were "out of the house" to try find answers to their particular problem. It is very rewarding to help them in whatever way possible.

That's a lovely post, jazzgirl.
Every day I see people coming out of an entrance over the road from here, with their dogs, and watch them stop and chat. I'd like to do the same except I really don't like dogs (or any other domestic animal). Sad case, aren't I? Please don't shoot me down, people. What we like and don't like is often buried deep in our psyche. Mostly I'm scared of them, horses especially as I have been attacked by one twice and seen my (late) husband and son bitten by large dogs.

Quite so, Jazzgirl - that is exactly what I meant.
And in some instances, it is not only the human contact that does people good, but sometimes someone without a dog will stop to stroke an animal and benefit from the animal contact.
There is a hospital for mentally -impaired sufferers not far from here where owners are are encouraged to visit with their dogs, as the animal contact helps to 'calm ' the patients and they benefit from the inter-relationship.

Update for Elle...
Typing in/keying in 601, 602 and 603 will give you additional Wimbledon coverage.

Hi Rosalind,

Sad experience for your son and husband with nasty dogs - luckily however, the majority of dogs are more gentle - did you report it? How serious were the bites?

As for horses, I can understand why you are scared, but there is something about horses - and all animals for that matter - they can sense if someone is afraid of them, and then they become the leader of the pack !

Hi, Malone!
Thank you - I've made a note of those additional codes.
301 is working fine! I've already tried that out and there has been tennis on that channel already for quite a while this morning!

When I was n Africa, I was very nearly bitten by the coalman's camel! Very unfriendly creature!