I can’t really not mention the weather the last week. Thursday brought high winds which caused structural damage around the country and brought transportation to a standstill. I don’t normally travel in the course of my job, but Thursday was the day I had to do it, which was typical. 9 hours travelling for a 2 hour meeting! You’d never guess how glad I was to get home.

The woods hadn’t suffered that much. There were a couple of rotten trees uprooted and of course lots of debris. Excellent! More fire wood!

It was just a quick outing today. I just took my shoulder bag and day pack with a flask of tea and went for a wander. For much of the time, I watched some grey squirrels chasing up and down the trees. This is mating time for them and the males chase the females up and down and across the trees to try and get their wicked way. Many treat the grey squirrel as a pest, but I can’t help seeing them as endearing and highly intelligent creatures (until I’m hungry in a survival situation of course!) The name squirrel is apparently taken from the greek skiouros meaning ‘shade-tail’. Well, there you are then. I have been lucky enough to see red squirrels in the Isle of White but not recently.

The woods are completely bare now. I can almost see straight through from the north side to the south side. This makes spotting wildlife so much easier but it also makes you easier to be spotted as well. With a practiced eye you can notice any movement in the trees or on the ground hence the squirrel watching today. I also managed to creep up on a rabbit to within 6 feet despite wearing quite cumbersome clothing.

I’ve got a post ready for mid-week which you might find interesting, so I hope you can visit then. which reminds me that snow is forecast next week. Can’t wait for that. Tracking time!!

Best wishes. Pablo.