Challenges

We walked around the fields this morning before I went to work, and suddenly there were three small leverets running for their lives with Hugo thundering after them. Drat, damn and blast! When one veered off he followed, and it was an hour and a half before I found him again. The good news is that the gaiters stayed on and his dew pads were unharmed. The bad news was that he had been running through the manure that is currently being spread on the back fields, and he stank. I was so late for work I decided to just take him straight to Penny and Roger's, and they, old troopers that they are, gamely accepted him after I'd rubbed him all over with a towel to get the worst of the mud off. Apparently he plonked himself down on the floor and slept. He didn't even ask for his usual treats. The gaiters had had a battering but were intact, so now they've passed the test I shall buy a few more pairs. But I'll never let him off the lead on a CAB morning again.

The near field was finally stripped of its last barley ears earlier this week in a lull between cloudbursts, though the straw has not yet been gathered in. Several fields are as yet unharvested. But already the lower field has been muck-spread and the plough is working its way across the contours, followed by a massive flock of seagulls. Yesterday evening before I went out I was dazzled by a large gathering of swifts flashing around in the sky above me. Their physical display accompanied by lots of screaming was something to behold, but it does remind you that they will soon be off - early August is when they leave for their winter home. It's the first time I've seen them in such large numbers near my house and I don't know where they are nesting. I can only assume the insect population was worth their while.

When I dropped smelly Hugo off this morning Penny asked me if I'd like her to pick up a meal for £10 for two from M&S. OK, I said, that sounds interesting, but I wasn't expecting a whole farm chicken, retail price on the label £7.95, plus a bottle of Sauvignon, a carton of mixed green vegetables for microwaving, including fresh peas and edamame, and a packet of eight profiteroles. My eyes popped when I saw what I was getting, and at this moment the chicken is roasting in the oven, sending out mouthwatering scents. What a fantastic bargain, and such a great idea. I think I may have to go back myself next time.The chicken will last for several meals, and so will the wine. I've had two of the profiteroles already, and they are gooooood. I had been planning something simple like puy lentils and smoked mackerel mixed with salad leaves and a nice dressing, but roast chicken, roast potato chunks with lemon and thyme and all the rest, well, what can I say. Yummy?