First of many

It was cold. Any other day and you would prefer the comfort and warmth of home. Sleet, a word that, to me, is a half way word. One that is dragged out, uncomfortably, unlike wind, fog, hail and rain which are more explosive and clearly state what is going on. But sleet.....cold, indefinite and miserable.

With the sleet, therefore, I had, for the first time, the whole estate to myself. No other soul had ventured out and the wild life had clearly decided the same. The deer were clinging to the edge of the estate near woodland or down the slope where they gained shelter from the wind. Only the sheep, with their full winter wool, favoured the higher ground where, at least, the ground was less wet.

Again, a heron croaked and took flight from the ground in Broom Royd plantation, almost exactly in the same spot as last time. This was the only wild life interruption to my tour. But I was the master of my own route, stopping occasionally to look and listen, and pleased to walk briskly when I wanted to and help stretch the muscles and lungs after the Festive lay off.

The investment in good water proofs was proving worthwhile and I was warm and dry and defied the weather which was trying to make anyone out in it feel chilled and damp. I was pleased the wind was dropping, for, although not particularly strong, it was pinching at the nose and lips.

Another first today was the use of the radio. We have to perform a radio check on setting out and inform whomsoever that we have returned. We had practised with the radios, how to use and how to communicate succinctly. It seems odd because you do not know to whom you are speaking or where in the grounds they are. Having used a mobile phone it should be easy, but it's not like a mobile phone because of the etiquette. 'Over' when expecting a reply and 'Out' when you are not and are hanging up. All new to me but I coped.

Next time, it will be a doddle