Lily

This is Lily, a Basset Hound that passed away today at 4.30am this morning. She was Jane's dog, my birthday present to Jane earlier this year. She was only 10 months old when I got that call from the vets to say that she died. The picture here is Lily at 4 / 5 months, you couldn't want for a more gorgeous dog.

She was her normal self on Sunday night, legs in the air by the fireplace having her tummy rubbed, then by 7.30am Monday she was extremely ill. After going to her normal vets she was then transferred to a super vet in Hursley near Winchester. By this stage her colour was back in her gums and the outlook looked positive, as we kept telling ourselves. Update call from vets at 7pm and 10pm was also ok or least not worsened. Then I got the call at 4.30am today with a call I never want to take again. The infection on her lungs was very aggressive and had passed into her blood stream even after all the injections etc that they could use. This caused organ failure thus Lily passed away peacefully under sedation.

Even though Lily was not my dog I will miss her, more than words can describe. I would look after Lily very often and she was very much loved by Jane and myself, I would gladly take her place without one second thought if I could, that is how much she meant.

To a beautiful, gorgeous, loving, loyal Basset called Lily....you are safe forever and will be deeply missed until we meet again.

18th Oct 2008

Here we have two pics from yesterdays shoot at the farm.

My cocker Charlie with one of the pigeons that I brought down, the other showing Roger with some of the bag.

It was bright sunny day which started off chilly that soon warmed up. Not ideal conditions as far as pheasants are concerned as the weather encourages the birds to feed on the stubble fields and hedgerows. Once the weather starts to cold down then we will see the birds back in the coverts and woods. It is two weeks before the next shoot which should allow the temperature to drop.

So far my ratio is 3 shots 3 pigeons, which is pleasing. Hopefully Charlie will stop whinning non stop on the next shoot day, lost my rag with him. He is old enough and wise enough to know but I suppose he was eager to do what he is best at....

Which Night

Eager to get out to the farm in the next two nights. But which night, Friday or Saturday? Metcheck.com is forecasting a clear night tomorrow with a reasonable breeze whilst Saturday has a near 100% cloud cover with a lesser breeze than Friday. What should swing it is the moon that is clearly evident tonight dictating that Saturday would be the better time to go. Which ever night we decide, crossed fingers that the mist and fog do not make an appearance like it did first thing this morning, fog and rain are the lamper's worst culprits to ruin any chance of catching those reynard eyes in the beam.

4th Oct 2008 - Feed Hoppers

We achieved the main objectives this morning by placing feed hoppers and straw rides in the following area's

Beachwood Shore

Sausage Wood Strip

The Island (On the grass track)

Worthy Park Corner (Wood Cutters End)

Worthy Park Corner (Telecoms Tower End)

Hedge Row / Game Cover (Leading from Farm to River Field)

Game Cover Strip (Leading from Cow Shed).

All these hoppers were filled with corn and should last a week.

Modelling the feed hopper in pic are Stephen, Kevin and Greg (left to right). The spreading birds will now have food to rely on plus it should stop them wondering off to far. The other pic is just a good shot of the River Itchen. A good few grayling were spotted, reminds me of the days grayling trotting with very light tackle, excellent sport.