How quickly these come around. Today's was over at Rutland Water at the Normanton Church.

The e-mail from Claire said 2pm in the lower car park. This time, unlike last month, we got there on time. And we were alone (apart from two fishermen, but they don't count). 2 o'clock came and went, and still we were alone - even the fishermen had gone. There were crow scarers going off, and Kai and Monty were back in the car. Ten past; we decided to set off on our own. We were persuading the two whooses to get out the car when a lady walked by and said "There's loads more like yours up there.", pointing towards the top car park. And just then, a herd/gaggle/hord (choose your own collective noun) appeared into the lower car park. We were not alone!!

The day was absolutely stunning; clear and sunny. You could not have asked for a better day in December.


Rutland Water

Gill and I spent most of the walk talking to Blue Jack's humans. Avid readers may remember Blue Jack from the Oakham Carnival when our Jack was used to retrieve him. Six months on and it sounds like he's got his humans pretty well trained.


Blue Jack

As we walked along our Jack stopped for a wee, then proceeded to do his usual and scratch the grass and leaves with great gusto. Turns out Blue Jack also does this, and his record is 24 scratches. Later, our Jack had another wee, as he is wont to do, and his scratches were counted - Thirty One!!! Bring on all comers - we have the champeen scratcher!!


Rutland Water Sheep with Attitude

Kai managed to do his usual and wow a couple of ladies who had not met him before (I am so jeleaous of that dogs pulling power).

But, and I mean BUT, we may have the champeen scratcher, we may Kai, BUT what we did not have was Merlin.

Merlin is a black greyhound cross lurcher puppy, and undeniably cute; the pic says it all. And by the way he poses, Kai is going to have some serious competition.


Merlin - Cute or What?