May 8th

We left the house at 6.50 a.m. It was grey, damp - and beastly cold! 

None of us dog walkers have yet been out of our winter clothes, and gloves were still needed! 

We had heard some raven calls, coming from Pontcanna Fields, but they were not as loud as yesterday.

We went into the Quarry field towards the small arboretum, as yesterday. No raven calls here. We again did lots of basic obedience exercises, avoiding other dogs for the moment.

When we got to the end of the quarry field, before we cross the footpath and go into the small arboretum, one raven came. That was the companion of the bold raven: she always raises her head feathers. She got a few scraps and flew off as we went on.

Once in the ravens field, walking under the trees at the allotment fence towards the far side, where the wall is, the bold raven came flying in. 

I don't know where exactly he now sits to observe us. Since the beginning of the week all the rugby goal posts and all the football goals have been removed - so no nice perches for the ravens.

Between training Miss Sophie I threw him many scraps which he first ate, then hid in a new hole, and then took in his crop, flying off over the wall towards Pontcanna Fields. 

He did not return this time - a group of big, bouncy dogs had come, their owners standing enar the spinney and chatting.

We left as well, the 'no more food' way, and met Mari the spaniel on the way back. She and Miss Sophie like each other - I think that is because Mari is rather submissive and does not dispute Miss Sophie's higher rank!

We'll certainly follow the same routine tomorrow. 

It is wonderful to have Miss Sophie walk on my left side and the bold raven hopping along on my right side - until the next scrap comes his way, that is!