Hound Puppies, Wild Plums

This past weekend the Farmer and I donned some reasonably tidy clothes and took our grandson Arthur aged two and a half, to his first encounter with our local fox hounds. We went to the annual Puppy Show at the hunt kennels where the the now grown puppies are judged by experts from hunts in other parts of the country. The hounds are wonderful, very beautiful and full of life, they are always a cheerful sight. Many years ago when our boys were little I 'walked' puppies for the kennels. This means we take the puppies when they are about 8 weeks old and take care of them until they are ready to return to the kennels. It is a good system as it means that small puppies are socialised and excercised for 3 or 4 months easing the work load on the kennel staff. The kennels provide the food and we have the fun of puppies and then when they have become a bit too big and boisterous we take them back to the kennels so they can join the pack. There was litter of very small puppies at the show, about 6 weeks old, which all the children were allowed to play with. Arthur was entranced, he'd never seen such little dogs before, a good size for him unlike the labradors and sheepdogs he is growing up with. After the judging there was splendid tea laid on, which Arthur also enjoyed to the full! Although we don't ride to hounds we do support the hunt and attend the opening meet and the Boxing Day meet when we can. The hunt is surviving but talking to many people in the hunting community they all say they can't see it continuing for many more years.This is sad in terms of another centuries-old rural tradition disappearing.

The Farmer has gone this morning to the field just up the road from us where the local agricultural show is to be held on Saturday. After the heavy rain again last night and some more this morning it is going to be quagmire up there as the team prepare for the show with lorries bringing in marquees and tractors milling about. He went off with full waterproofs in case of further downpours & no doubt will come back very damp and muddy. Despite the disappointing weather this summer (yes, I'm back on the ever popular subject of British weather!) the Farmer has been aout and about the farm and has managed a good harvest of wild plums, or bullace as they are also known. They make very good jam or jelly and also cook well for puddings. While the plums, both wild and domestic, have done very well the blackberries have not, just not enough sunshine. That said my garden has been lovely and full of colour...see below!