The penny drops

October has been a truly amazing month!

It might seem certifiable to enjoy traipsing uphill and down dale, through bramble and briar, stumbling through kale, maze, beet and other cover crops, in fine weather and foul. But, surrounded by glorious scenery and with The Bestest Gundog in All the World as close companion, it is the closest thing to a perfect way to spend time. The Gods have clearly enjoyed the spectacle too for they have blessed us with 7 'days' of almost perfect weather. And even though we had some rain and sleet at the start of last Friday, the sun came out during the first drive and a glorious rainbow formed itself directly over the line of 'Guns'. Life really couldn't be any better!

What of The BGiAtW?

Well, he hasn't yet learned to bluff his way through the labrador's boundless enthusiasm but in all other ways he has, in the words of our eminent Gamekeeper, "Gone from strength to strength with each passing week". He has truly amazed!

The penny dropped with a resounding Thud! after his first day. He's still the same lovable, laid back character but when he is 'in the field' it's as if someone's switched the light on: he absolutely loves it. Then he gets back into the Beater Bus (towed by the red tractor)and switches off, "almost appearing to meditate" as one of our companions put it - till the next drive. The moment his feet hit the ground again he starts to quiver. With up to 8 drives a day, that's a lot of switching on and off!

Meanwhile, the accolades continue to rain down on him. Bob, in the photo with him, keeps up-ing the price he's prepared to pay - he started with a fiver and is up to £75 now! cheeky blighter! -and the Keeper and one of the other beater's are conspiring behind our backs to mate him with the latter's prize young bitch. Pretty she may be, but "Dream on" I say....

The biggest test for the young dog was his third day out - not that he knew it. We 'got the call' to beat on the same shoot as Rory-the-trainer! Talk about being under the spotlight....

It was a very strenuous day with some difficult hilly and overgrown terrain. But Gunner put not a single foot wrong. Even Rory had to admit at the end of it - particularly with everyone singing the BGiAtW's praises - that he never thought that "He'd turn into such a good dog". Praise indeed! And we've been invited back which is better than any number of compliments.

The third shoot we've worked has no other dogs 'beating' so Gunner had the whole field to himself - and that really boosted his confidence. Again he was the subject of admiration and has been invited back.

One of the Guns at our regular shoot has also asked us to beat elsewhere.

So we have no shortage of 'work' for the young dog; much as he loves it, though, we don't want an over-worked dog so he's restricted to a maximum of 2 outings a week. He's got alot of learning and growing still to do - don't want to wear him out in his first season.......

And being the laid back, contemplative character that he is - he needs plenty of me-time after his outings to sleep, dream, re-live and learn from his day. Aaaaaaahhhhh!