February 19th - Bowmont Forest

Called through by Oscar at 4 a.m. to deal with some crisis, and was alarmed to find that my right leg wouldn’t support me, with a sharp pain in the ankle and Achilles. Hopped through with the aid of the banister and snuggled down next to him in his single bed. Awoke again at 6:10 – Toby’s chosen breakfast time at present and stepped gingerly to the floor. Pain and weakness miraculously vanished – perhaps I dreamed them!

Too busy with boys (Hamish off school with tonsils) and work all day, so crept out for a run at 5 p.m. in the drizzle and dusk. Poodled round a steady half hour in Bowmont forest. Conifer plantations are so boring to run through. I used to love the Forest of Dean, with its beech and oak, its birdlife and fluffy mammals. I think I even once saw a flamingo on a pond there, although I could probably be persuaded that it was just a gay heron.

Anyway – no photos today because I really couldn’t see the point.