Almost Christmas

The cold spell continues to cause havoc: various parts of Britain remain in an icy gridlock which is already being called the worst winter for 100 years (and we thought that was last year!) creating all sorts of disruption to Christmas plans and preparations. Not least those of the The Pork Provisioner. The big Boss had planned for our attendance at a host of Christmas markets which, bar just three, were cancelled at short notice due to the bad weather and dangerous conditions underfoot. Plans and lists were made, unmade and remade causing increasingly furrowed brows.... and where we did attend, we froze for our art! Such Fun!

Yesterday we had the excitement of a total exclipse of the moon at daybreak - the first to coincide with the winter solstice in some 150 years. We awoke to the sight of the moon just beginning to darken and as I did the breakfast rounds the final sliver disappeared....... no dramatic red ball as was predicted..... just disappeared! Ah well: we've the excitement of Christmas to look forward to now! Still a bit of rushing around and preparation before we can crash out with our feet up in front of the fire and not have to find excuses for excess food and drink!

Today was out last shooting and beating day before the Holiday: This was the scene as yet more snow began to fall as I drove home at the end of the day. Unfortunately The Bestest Gundog in all the World hasn't been out with me this week. He was hopping lame on Sunday evening and even worse on Monday -necessitating a trip to the vet.

"Too swollen and painful for me to examine closely" that man said prescribing antibiotics and anti-inflammatories with instructions to return in 24 hours when hopefully "the swelling will have gone down enough to see what's going on".

Luckily the medication had the right effect and yesterday he was able to confirm no broken bones but the likelihood that the poor lad had severely bashed his toe on the hard ground causing the nail to push up into its sheath, resulting in a seriously painful bruise - "Rather like stubbing your toenail very, very hard" said the vet.

So it's a week of medication and house-arrest and then he should be fit and fine to go back to work next week! I have to admit that bush-beating without The Dog is not nearly so enjoyable as with him. For his part, he can't understand why he had to stay at home...... hurting his paw as bad enough but house-arrest on top of that? Surely he didn't deserve that. But a little Christmas holiday will do him good - he'll be able to attack the last month of the season with even more gusto!