my friends next door

Today I got an enormous surprise, a card and a bag full of fantastic presents from my friends next door Imogen and Eleanor. I must say they are the very nicest people I have ever met. This is a picture of their enchanted house on a bright moon lit night. Harriet and I will stand on the wall and say thank you very loudly.

sister mattie

the beautiful Mattie, dreaming of seeing me again.

news from the ranch

Mattie being wished many happy go aways by her cattle.

happy birthday

.... it is hard to believe this was me aged 5 minutes. Thousands of cards and presents are arriving as I blog. Happy birthday to me and happy birthday to every one in the world especially Mattie, Meg, Vasco, Des, Frodo, Lily, and little Toby

One is a major milestone, now I can join the Army or the police, take my rabbiting test, go into pubs on my own, refuse to see the vet, go for walks on demand ... life has just begun.

hovering

meanwhile, hovering above us was this hefty chap, who I think is a Volucella pellucens, the males are alleged to "hover conspicuously at a height of 8 to 10 feet". They are said to be common but in my one year I have never seen one before.

Joys of summer

Down by the Tamar we saw a kingfisher, twice, once close up and brilliant, once at a distance. Watched over by this heron. To see a kingfisher in flight is one of the joys of life, and there must be fish in the river.