Dec 11th

It was quite cold, but dry, when we left the house at 7.30. The rising sun had started to give the sky in the East a glowing tinge, and there was a thin mist just above the ground in Llandaff Fields. Of course, it was not full daylight yet. Later, the sky turned a yellowy-pink: quite beautiful.

We had heard raven calls earlier, again from much further away, so again I was not sure which pair to expect.

As we went up to the top of the big field - not one raven anywhere, and no calls. Into the ravens field, and there was not one raven either. 

I was a bit disappointed, but then Bas came whizzing round the spinney, barking joyfully. That might well have kept the ravens in the trees. 

Bas and Madame had a jolly good romp - it was so funny to watch them scratch the dead leaves over their markings, as the other one tried to mark the same spot! Then both rolled on the cold grass - Madame only once, briefly, unlike her usual self, and Bas made a huge performance of it, rolling full stretch for a good couple of yards.

Finally, two ravens did come down to the ground - keeping well away of all these dog shenanigans. I threw some scraps when the dogs were otherwise engaged, and the ravens did pick those up. It was my young pair, but I can't be 100% certain as they were too far away.

Then Bas chased them, and they both flapped off into the enclosure. I did feed them there, but as more dogs turned up, bouncing and barking, they flew off. Who can blame them ...!

We went home - not one raven following us. The combination of Madame, Bas, Karen and me must have been a bit disconcerting. I couldn't go back today, to try and feed them again, as we had this appointment with the vet.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better - for Madame and for the ravens.