Isolation

This was the only Herdie I saw in a flock grazing beside the fort at Brocolitia today. I did not make it out for a walk until after lunch. The sun never broke through today, but the brightness in the west provided a bit of back lighting.

I've been seeing metaphors for isolation in recent days. The Herdwick is far too cheerful looking for this. My extra is a kestrel, high in a tree beside the Temple of Mithras. Although we associate these birds with hovering over their prey, they are often perched high, but always on the alert.

The ewes were grazing quietly. They all have brightly coloured marks on their rear ends, so the tups have been busy. 

I did not linger for much of  a walk. It was cold and bleak.

In the time of Covid-19
We are back in Tier 3 again. Northumberland includes a number of larger towns in the south east. These are the places where the numbers are high. Out in our rural haven, we have hardly any cases. It feels a bit unfair that we are lumped in with the towns, but so be it. It doesn't make much difference to our way of life.

The Hay Winter Book Festival has started. We listened to an interview with Lee Child this evening. It was blighted by connectivity problems and an interviewer who had more to say than the author. I was so keen for her to listen to his answers and then ask relevant follow on questions.