Where the wild things are!

Just got back from a very early walk with Holly before I have to get
packed up to leave for the Confirmation retreat at 7:15. I didn’t take
any pictures because it’s still pitch dark out!It was a very strange experience to do the same 2 1/2 mile loop around
Saxon Woods that we must have done a couple of hundred times before, but
this time in the almost total darkness with just a fairly weak LED
flashlight for company. Familiar landmarks look very different in the
dark, and while I normally truck along with my iPod on and Holly ranges
a couple of hundred yards ahead, behind or to the sides as the mood (and
the scents) take her, this morning though I was listening to the sounds
of the night-time forest: the shuffling, snuffling, rustles of small
furry creatures amongst the newly fallen leaves; the occasional louder
twig snap of larger animals; the flurry of startled fowl surprised by
our coming; and our own footsteps on the mud and rock. Holly stayed
pretty close, although she was obviously on home turf and went sniffing
around, but didn’t go too far ahead as I could see her eyes reflected
regularly in the dim beam of my flashlight as she looked back to see
that I was still there. At one point she put up a skunk that seemed
quite vexed- thank goodness she’s obedient enough that she came away and
left it alone when I realised what it was and called her off before she
could make it cross enough to spray!All in all an interesting experience! Now I must finish my coffee, take
a shower and get ready for the trip ahead!