This was another dog training session this morning on my new farmer friend's land at Molesworth practicing long stops and hunting.
Plenty of rabbits, fox and deer signs with roosting pigeons and magpies as the main quarry needing attention though no pheasants or partridges yet on this upland ground.
A little time before lunch for a visit to the cemetery and my family graves. Some time with Della today as we fed the fish and watered the plants in the conservatory.
The problem that I have with any of the hobbies and activities that I take up is that I must always take them to extremes and try to become the best and I have taken to gundog training in the same way. I used my new farmer friend's land at Molesworth this morning to practice long stops and hunting and was very impressed with the suitability of the land.
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Though on heavy poorly drained clay, the undulating land is well-covered with set-aside grass and holds enough hares to keep testing out Sam on his steadiness. He fell victim to another this morning but, interestingly, once he was off after it, I crouched down and waited for Sam to turn it once and then again so that it ran right past me. I dropped Sam with the stop whistle on this second chance and the hare could easily have been bowled over and retrieved had I been shooting.
Plenty of rabbits, fox and deer signs with roosting pigeons and magpies as the main quarry needing attention though no pheasants or partridges yet on this upland ground. The second session this afternoon was taken at the gravel pits where I got Sam into the water for a half dozen retrieves; even if he was slow to enter for the initial and longer ones. With continuous sessions, he can only improve and get more obedient. We were both tired after these exertions as the ground had been heavy to walk and run over. A little time before lunch for a visit to the cemetery which was in good order.
Three or four more burials had taken place as its popularity grows. Now, Mr Ellerbeck's stone is in place, showing him to be of Highfield Farm and I wondered whether he was related to Della's school boyfriend, Mathew Ellerbeck! I spent some time with Della, earlier this morning and we fed the fish and watered the plants in the conservatory. Some rest in late afternoon and early evening, as I was shattered from much exercise and little sleep. Still time to update my journal.