As the Nights Draw In

Its happening, have you noticed too? Even though we've just experienced a mini miracle of a string of sunny days and clear evening skies the clock can not be stopped and the nights are starting to draw in.

Sally's walks have been getting a little earlier each evening and still I find myself stumbling through the dark on my return. Its not a bad experience, maybe a little freaky every now and then but mostly quite enjoyable. The other night Joseph came with me and he spotted a fox staring at us further down the path in the woods and 2 deer in one of the sweeping fields we walked through. Owls were hooting and bats were swooping around our heads. Sally stayed close and all was well. So good to return once again to our cosy little home, kick our wellies off and enjoy a bit of supper.

We are starting to think about getting organised for our winter walks. There is talk of safe routes, reflective clothing and even (maybe a little extreme) head torches! I quite fancy one as it means I'll still have both hands free. Its so dark around our village as street lamps stop half way down the road because half the community argued the case that street lights go against the character of the village and cause light pollution. Aye oh, that's just the way it is. I can live with it (or without them depending on the way you look at it)!

It won't be too long before the clocks go back and we're finding it a little harder to wake up in the mornings too. That's when the early dog walks start to feel like a chore. The cost of having a dog.

Anyway all this talk has reminded us of the time we got Sally and took her out on wintry strolls. Here is a poem that Tony wrote about that time:-

First Morning: 6am

Even the stars are still asleep

As Sally and I tread softly

Through the meadows.

I hear an owl hooting

Underneath the camouflage

Cover of the dark wood.

Somewhere down the far

Away lane headlights slice

Through the darkness,

Like an explorer hacking

Through the Amazon jungle.

An out of service bus trundles

Down the deserted road,

Sally is far more interested

In the state of a lamppost.

A cockerel startles the hills

With its shrill alarm clock cry.

The bank of dark clouds roll back

Retreating like the tide.

'I see you're taking your dog for a walk.'

The moon says with a cheesy grin.

'Looks like I'll be seeing plenty of you

From now on,'

The moon chuckles with its lopsided smile.

Sally looks up and sniffs.

Today, the meadows,

Tomorrow

The moon.