Inshriach 2021 Report: New friends and old!

So I've decided Hemp's not such a bad chap after all.

I mean, I'm not saying we're ever going to be best buddies. But it turns out that if a house has an abundance of generously sized rooms, and is surrounded by glorious open countryside ideal for long walks, then there is space enough for both a lively young border collie and an occasionally grumpy wire fox terrier to coexist peaceably enough for a few days.

What Gail didn't tell me before we arrived at the Inshriach House gathering was that another former adversary, Max, and his new 'sister' Bonnie (in the smart red coat) would also be present.

Only very long time readers will remember Max. I met him on our Inshriach visit in March 2011, when he rather thrillingly killed a chicken belonging to the owner of the big house, and thus generously diverted attention from any misdemeanours I might have committed that weekend.

Time's winged chariot speeds on and Max, two years my senior, is now both deaf and blind, his arthritis limits his movement and his hen chasing days are well behind him. All he really wants now out of life is for everyone to be his friend.

Also a bit of a shock at this annual gathering of mostly older adults was the appearance of three young children. Now neither Gail nor I are much accustomed to the company of energetic human youngsters and, bright and adorable though they undoubtedly are, it took us both a while to adjust...

I must say I was rather grateful that the children's preferred targets for attention were the other three dogs present and they mostly let me alone. Possibly Gail had said something about my, er, 'leaky' bladder and this put them off, although I'm pleased to say that my tartan belly band was widely admired and no-one present, not even Hemp, was inclined to mock.

So I enjoyed lots of long rambles through the woods by day...

...and by night I was never short of an amenable human to cuddle up against. 

It was in fact, all in all, a lovely few days, and Gail and I want to say a huge Thank You to our dear friends John and Françoise for organising the gathering and inviting us once again.