More Rusty and More Walking

Another 10 km day, spread over three walks.  The first is at 8 in the morning and we go up behind the house into the forest, walking to various high points to look at the views. There's no need for a lead as we stay away from all roads and no one else walks up there.
The next one is in the day and this time we did some real forest bashing. Some long sections with no paths and with really thick undergrowth. Definitely a favourite area for elk and red deer. There was lots of very fresh poo and several muddy hollows with lots of tracks. Here Rusty is sniffing a very large elk track and all around are the red deer tracks, almost forming a heart shape with their twin toe. There's a Rusty track too, right in front of his nose.
A year ago this would have had Rusty charging off into the forest to follow those delicious scents but now he was almost nervous, staying very close to me in this area.  I wonder if he's had a bad experience with one of these large deer/moose?.
Later in the day our young visitors from Wales arrived, E and L. They spent a lot of time stroking the dog and then throwing sticks for him around the garden.
After dinner, around 10 o'clock, Rusty and I take a final 2km walk down to our nearest lake and back.  Then it's sleep for Rusty and Blip for me!