May 25th

It was certainly cooler this morning! 

The wind from the NW had picked up and was quite fresh. The sun was a bit obscured by a watery haze. But it was still dry and sunny.

We left the house at the usual time of 6.40 a.m., and went the usual way: first the big field, then the quarry field. 

There, Karen and Bas came towards us from the small arboretum, so we went back down the Horse Chestnut Avenue with the two of them. 

Back again, and with a bit of Bart and his owner into the ravens filed, where there were quite a lot of dogs, with their owners standing in the middle, having a nice chat.

We also noticed the first swallows swooping about - Miss Sophie was fascinated. I hope she does not think they are another animal she needs to chase ...

Once the dogs and their owners had left the ravens field, the bold raven's companion came, then one of the young ravens. 

I combined throwing scraps for them with some exercise for Miss Sophie, and thus we moved slowly back down towards the Spinney.

The ravens then noticed a handful of jackdaws, and abandoned picking up scraps for a moment, flying down the field, low to the ground, and scattering the jackdaws who fled, flying off.

The ravens got a few more scraps, then we walked back the no-more-food way. The ravens did not follow us.

Later this afternoon, we went to Pontcanna Fields. It had clouded over. The sun was valiantly trying to shine through the clouds. The wind was noticeably cooler, and there were even a few drops of rain.

We heard ravens calling from the huge Lime trees lining the avenue, and saw one or two in the far distance, but none came.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fifteen years ago this afternoon I walked to the dogs home, to pick up the dog who became our beloved Big Dog. 

Little did we know then how he'd change our lives.

When I clapped eyes on him for the very first time, my first thought was: 'He is so white! How am I ever going to keep him clean - can't stick a dog in the washing machine ...'. 

What a character he turned out to be. 

Dearest Big Dog - I'm still missing you so very much.