On to Braunston

21st May

We’ve arrived at Braunston; good internet signal via T-mobile, very dodgy voice signal via Vodafone. We're planning to be here for two nights, then on up the flight, through the tunnel and stay a further night at Buckby.

Some things I forgot to mention yesterday, because I was having a rant:

We saw Dave on Anon... at Brownsover and had a quick chat. He makes leather goods, just as good as many others but cheaper than some. He’s got a website, and is very helpful with customising the windlass holders or belts to make exactly what you want.

A striking effect of the warm weather is the sudden cascade of hawthorn or may blossom. As they say, “ne’er cast a clout ′til may be out”, and I’ve started wearing polo shirts instead of the long sleeve jobs.

After I’d posted yesterday, we got the expected phone call from ABNB to say that the purchase monies for Sanity had arrived with them, and I phoned on to Elanor to tell her she could release the keys to Ian when she helps him with his car shuffle today (Friday). It’s both a relief and a sadness to know that Sanity is no longer ours; we just hope that Ian enjoys his ownership of her as much as we did, if that’s possible.

Today’s amazing sight was spotted by Sheila in one of the fields as we approached Braunston: a fox was sitting bolt upright amongst the sheep. After a bit, he got up and strolled around, with curious sheep wandering up to him.

Foxes are blamed by farmers for attacking young lambs, but this was a striking demonstration of how unconcerned the sheep were. It may be that a fox will come and eat the afterbirth in a field where a ewe has lambed, giving rise to that belief, and they will undoubtedly scavenge dead meat, but they are so small, it’s hard to see how they could take on a live lamb, especially with mum standing guard.