Della again joined me to walk over to the gravel pits again and saw yet more tracks of the muntjac deer before Di and I travelled separately to see Mum where I took Sam and Della to the playing field for a break to stretch their legs and she remembered sadly that this was the last place that she saw my dad.
After this, my solo journey to Norfolk and some tasks there as the wind grew again this evening, and the forecast was for return of cold weather and snow. The fighting has broken out again in the former Yugoslavia and they are a hopeless case.
A good night and then Diana dug me in the ribs as my signal that it was time to get up. By the time I was showered, shaved and dressed, Della was also up and, once I had fed Sam, she joined me to take him for a walk. We went over to the gravel pits again and saw yet more tracks of the muntjac deer that were fresh since yesterday. Home for a well-earned breakfast and then time to do the chores and to get my office cleared and cases packed for the trip to Norfolk.
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Before I packed my air rifle, I spotted a collared dove by the river and killed it cleanly with a shot to the head at 40-50yds. I had to make allowances for a strong crosswind and trajectory and it was the best shot I had made yet. It took all morning to get ready and then Diana left in her car with Debbie and I took Sam and Della in mine. I gave them a half hour start whilst I scrubbed out Sam's kennel with disinfectant and then we met up at mum's house in early afternoon for a picnic lunch. We found Mum to be all right; rather tired and light of voice but quite lucid and happy and it was a good visit and the longest that we had for some time. I took Sam and Della to the playing field for a break to stretch their legs and Della remembered sadly that this was the last place that she saw my dad and I agreed.
We all said goodbye and went our various ways; Diana and the family back to Paxton and me with Sam to Horning, arriving after dark. Soon settled in, however, and took Sam for a walk before getting myself settled in. For tea tonight, I prepared the collared dove and grilled it. For a small bird, it makes a tasty meal for one. I managed just a few administrative things this evening; signing and posting the road payment to Arthur Edmunds, completing my album on the construction of Harnser and then my dog notes and journal. The wind grew again this evening, and the forecast was for return of cold weather and snow in the morning. The fighting has broken out again in the former Yugoslavia and they are a hopeless case.