Gusto

Gusto: vigorous enjoyment, zest, relish, especially in the performance of an action

Gus was ready-named when he came to live with us a few months ago at the age of five. As the days pass, and he gets stronger and fitter from his daily walks over the Knott, his name seems ever more appropriate. He is so full of zest, so very bouncy and joyful, and so much quicker and more energetic than he was.

Yes, I know this isn't perfectly sharp. What can we expect on such a gloomy day? The ISO is pushed to the limit for this camera, and at this shutter speed there's bound to be a bit of motion blur for a dog running at speed.

There was a bit of snow for us overnight as the background shows. But so far in south Cumbria we have missed the worst, but my goodness it is perishingly cold in the wind. I had hoped that by now we would be hearing the first chiff-chaffs, and seeing sand martins flying over the pools at Leighton Moss. But instead of summer visitors, today I was watching a flock of nearly 30 waxwings 100 metres from the office, flying down to feed on the Cotoneaster in a garden.

Canoeing tomorrow has been cancelled because of the wind. Phew!