Off to Cambridge shopping, joining training sessions for Sam before at Molesworth and after at his obedience class as the new cleaner starts nervously with Di.
Nigel popped round this afternoon and we arranged an afternoon's shooting for next week and discussed progress at Cambridge Street where three workmen were steaming ahead.
I decided to join Diana for a shopping trip to Cambridge and we also met her parents for morning coffee as well. But first, Diana had her new cleaner, Susanne, starting and she arrived keen, nervous and early to get her instructions. In fact, Diana was equally nervous and it was painful to see them both trying so hard to avoid offending each other!
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I took Sam for his morning run to the gravel pits and made him swim three times to retrieve dummies. He still retains his reluctance to enter straight away but is gradually improving I think. Once back, I sat on my bench under the river-facing balcony and dried Sam off with a towel and waited for Bill to come so that I could brief him. Despite his reluctance to do anything energetic, I got him to hang the two riverside-garden access gates and mix as much concrete as he had cement for to complete another section of path.
Then off to Cambridge with Diana. I used my time there to have a look around the reference library and then around Heffers where I bought a book on pigeon shooting. For this afternoon's walk, we drove up to Molesworth where I first met Robert to give him a copy of my book in appreciation for his kindness in allowing me to train my dog on his land. I did not find any hares with Sam afterwards but he half-pointed some partridges and fully pointed a pheasant which I was pleased with. Manor Farm is like a real nature reserve; full of rabbits, hares, game and also badgers as I recognised two sets and saw the conical "dibbing" marks these beasts had been making for earthworms in the ground.
I met Michael Bent as I got back to the car and enjoyed our chat even if Sam did spoil it a bit by growling at his ageing lurcher. Home tired and hungry for tea and then just time for my journal before it was time to venture forth again - this time to the obedience class for Sam fearful that he would show me up again! I need not have worried as he gave an exemplary performance of steadiness with the other dogs, did not mark or growl and walked well to heel. It is only his recall and dummy present that needs polish. Daniel was happy and in a good mood tonight, having received his pay cheque. Nigel had popped round this afternoon in response to me trying to contact him by telephone and we arranged an afternoon's shooting for next week and discussed progress at Cambridge Street where three workmen are steaming ahead.