Lift, toss, scramble, repeat

So Gail and I went for a short walk on the hill behind the cottage on Monday. In normal times, the path can be hard to locate. This year, with so few visiting hikers, one very steep part of the path was totally overgrown with bracken as high as Gail's chest, and I, unconvinced that Gail had the situation under control, resolutely refused to proceed onwards through the dense vegetation. 

In such circumstances, I expect my human to pick me up and carry me until we reach a well-defined track again. Unfortunately, on this occasion it seems that Gail was unable to simultaneously carry me under one arm, and brush aside the bracken with the other, while ascending a 25% gradient on the uneven terrain, 

Ever resourceful, Gail adopted a protocol which involved the follow steps: (1) lifting me up, (2) holding me aloft, arms stretched out in front of her, (3) leaning forward and throwing me up the hill, (4) stumbling forwards through the bracken to where I landed. And then repeating steps (1) to (4). 

Obviously, no photos were taken, but in case you have difficulty visualising the situation, I have provided below a sketch of step (3).

I am pleased to report that Gail and I did in the end make it safely back to the cottage with no broken bones.

The next morning, I indicated that I would prefer just a short walk along the road. Although I had suffered no physical damage, the psychological scars might take a few days to wear off...