Shelduck

I'm sorry this should be a photo of Gus, as today was his day.  But I only took a few shots when I visited the Dip at Far Arnside to watch the sunset, which from here is now behind Humphrey Head's nose.  There were small flocks of waders far out in the bay, and closer in just a single shelduck sieving the wet mud for snails.  Small tussocks of Spartina have established on the mud close to the shore, and we wait to see if the salt marsh will return here as it has at Sandside.

But back to Gus.  I got up early, very early as it happened as I hadn't realised the clocks had fallen back.  Then as I checked the overnight emails, there was one that concerned Gus.  It was from the couple who entrusted us with his care almost eight years ago, we had lost contact shortly after he joined us on 27 December 2012.  We have often thought about them, and Gus's brother Rock who they had kept themselves.  So it was lovely to have that contact again, and to find out that Rock is still going, though like Gus not up to long walks anymore.  Who knows, when travel restrictions ease in Lancashire, we may even be able to meet up and see if Gus and Rock remember each other after all this time.

Then later after his lunchtime walk, Gus was in an excitable mood, constantly nudging us and squeaking.  It seemed like there might be a tummy upset on the way, and so C took him out again.  Then as she met our neighbour outside the house, the reason for Gus's excitement became clear: her dog is on heat.  There is life in the old dog after all.