Deer Chase

It's always a possibility that we will come across deer on our walks on the lovely Cannock Chase in the mornings. We always go early, but especially at the week ends, as there are bikes and runners around later on which we aim to avoid. Today saw the opening of the Christmas Tree sale, so there was lots of human activity everywhere, cars were arriving and the Christmas Carols were flowing across the forest.

We were walking along and suddenly I spied a herd of Fallow deer on the brow of the path we were following. Ellie and Louis spotted them immediately and were off like bolts from a gun. There was no stopping them. I always fear for the deer........just in case.....but am fearful too of the hounds getting lost or close to a road. I waited for 5 long minutes blowing the whistle, when I spotted Ellie in the trees bounding towards me, great I thought, that's one hound home. I kept whistling, no Louis. I kept walking and whistling, and then I saw a hound in the distance a bit lost so I raced over and shouted.....he eventually saw me, and came bounding over. On the lead now for a calm down. All was well and the deer I hope and pray also survived the ordeal......I am sure they would do. Phew!!

The hounds got some exercise that's for sure. They are now flat out on their beds, enjoying some happy doggy dreams no doubt :)

Here or Australia?

After a grim couple of weeks of (what seemed like) never ending rain, we have sunshine two days in a row!
Brilliant.Great for getting out with the hounds for a lovely long walk on the Chase. They are getting all set for the Christmas Tree Sale. Each year they seem to add more to the mix to make it more attractive to visitors.

This year, they have added another Go Ape feature, this time for youngsters under 12, looks great fun - wish I was younger. There are loads more huts than last year, not sure what they are all for just yet, but all will be clear in a couple weeks no doubt. The Christmas trees are all appearing little by little so it will be mad in no time at all. I will be posting some pictures to show the action soon.

While I was walking I met a friend whose sister lived in Oz near the Gold Coast, and returned to England. She said it was wonderful scenery, beach every day, weather 6 degrees lowest during winter time, though summer was hotter than ours. Problem is - they don't have anything but the beach to do all day, sounds good for a while, but if that is ALL there is, it could get a bit monotonous I suppose. Apparently they never go anywhere because to do so it is a plane journey to get there. So for the average Joe, it is beach beach or beach for your daily dose of leisure. Here though, we can hop in the car and go to any part of the country within a couple of hours and have a huge diversity of things to see, do and experience.

I think I will stay put........ 
                                                             

Oh what a beautiful day...

Not sure who sang it, but I remember singing it with my mum when I was small. (Was it Howard Keel from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers?)

Anyway it really is a glorious day for being out there walking hounds, or just being out there for any reason. After yesterday's deluge.....it poured and poured all day, it is a welcome relief.

Going to make sure we get out there and enjoy it before it all goes away.
Hope you manage to get out there too. If not, let's hope the week end will bring some more :)

After the 5th

Good morning all. Hope you survived the 'war zone' atmosphere last night. It was noisy here from about 6 to 8pm; then quieter - until around 10. Then the bombs started going off. They were random bangs all over the place, probably youngsters.

I checked on the Fireworks Act or law on Wikipedia and it seems fireworks can be let off between 7am in the morning until 11pm at night. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks_law_in_the_United_Kingdom

Fireworks must not be let off between 11pm and 7am, except on Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year's Eve, when the period is extended until 1am, and on Guy Fawkes Night, when the period is extended until midnight. This restriction does not apply to displays organized by local Councils.
It is illegal to set off fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or public place. Breaking these laws can result in an on-the-spot fine of £80.^[11]

That seems to imply that fireworks can be let off randomly throughout the day? 

We have a long way to go before the end of the 'season' so I guess we just need to 'get through it' and look forward to the usual fog that always comes after 2 relentless weeks of gunpowder being blasted into the atmosphere.

Happy days

What's the Point of Fireworks?

I ask this question every year, and dread the prospect of November 5th looming closer as we move into late Autumn. I don't really GET why we 'celebrate' such an event anyway?

Or, is it just an excuse for turning the whole country into a war zone. Trouble is, fireworks are often not in good hands, if they were controlled properly, and only used on one day for a short period, we just MIGHT all cope a lot better with it. Being in a fairly rural part of Staffordshire I feel great sympathy for the grazing animals, like horses, sheep and cattle, and for the deer on the Chase nearby. How can a nation possibly justify such a barrage of sound pollution. It goes beyond one night, usually 2 weeks at least.

My two hounds suffer a great deal - both tremble with fear, and won't go outside, eat or relax for a moment, they hide and look terrified.

Here's a picture of Lou hiding in a corner I made for him on Sunday evening (you can see a small section of paw poking out at the top) when it was particularly bad.

Think it is time for a change of law.

Dear Mr. Cameron - will you PLEASE control fireworks........