Nature

When I was in Odessa I told the team I’d be spending my leave doing long dog walks in forests with a book and a picnic in my backpack. Then I got back to the UK and it rained, hailed, blew a hooley, drizzled, and rained again. Today we had a brief sunny spell around 10-12 which is when Juno and I walked up to the vets to get her boosters and annual check up. All is well but I need to brush her teeth more often. She’s not very cooperative on that front so they sold me paste to smear on with my finger that turns out to cost £20.

From there we walked on to Hinksey Heights nature reserve with its glorious ponds and birdsong, and then home quickly as the grey clouds gathered. On the way back we found a familiar dog, but no owner. She’s a known absconded so we tempted her with cheese and returned her to an anxious owner a good half mile away. Later we headed off again in another brief sunny spot early evening.

Tomorrow Tom and Sasha arrive - we’ll both be happy to see them. The furrier end of the household will no doubt even do a little wee in excitement. I must get the mop out in anticipation…