The Cuckoo and a Stile

image borrowed from moorlandguide.co.uk

Yesterday I heard my first cuckoo of the year.

I was out, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air with Toby.

Toby is an old boy, he still manages to break into a run, very occasionally, but he struggles with scrambling over things. The walk I had decided on had three dog-unfriendly stiles, so I had to lift him up and place him on the other side. I am showing my years too but somehow we managed... I don't doubt that it looked utterly ridiculous! However, it was that or the cattle grid, and he can't cope with those either.

The cuckoo stile!

So, there I was - derriére in the air as I heaved Toby over stile number three when I heard "Cuckoo"! *

Quite!

I'm still not sure that it wasn't uttered by a human.



Once over the stile we walked down the side of the field adjoining this sweet little cottage. I love the tiles on the roof.



The views are beautiful as they sweep across the barley fields, the meadows and across to Belleau.

This is how I normally see the cottage from two fields away - thereby saving myself from having to heave Toby over the triple stile obstacle.

Ms Sparrowyou wanted me to give Arnold a hug...I visited him yesterday and gave him some horse treats.

I whispered your name in his ear and gave him a hug from you. Here is Arnold, wondering whether I have just one more horse treat in my pocket... He was in fine fettle and was enjoying the warmth and the sunshine.
* "cuckoo" is sometimes used to describe someone who acts in a peculiar or strange manner