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Keen gardeners get ready to dig
We got our fill of fresh air this weekend. Straight after swim lessons on Saturday, it was off to the Millennium Meadow to plant some Yew trees. The highlight for Tolii and Tosha was the wheelbarrow ride around the Meadow after everything was planted. The highlight for Daddy was putting his feet up at Graham’s house’s deck overlooking his pond while sipping some red wine and eating a delicious sausage (one does get tired after a wheelbarrow ride).
The start of the upward hike
Then today, we raised ourselves to new heights: we hiked up Beacon Hill. Good thing we had trained by climbing St. Catherine’s Hill in Winchester…this one was much higher (or so it seemed). Up, up, up we went.
Being blown off Beacon Hill
At the top, we were nearly blown off by the strong winds. Gorgeous view, though. We found a sheltered spot for some lunch and then walked around the ridge.
Highclere Castle as seen from Beacon Hill, near Lord Carnarvon's grave.
We passed by George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s burial spot – a bit of world history there: he financed and opened King Tut’s tomb.
Rolly-Polly down the ridge; and again, and again...
We came across a gate a bit further along, with a sign saying ‘Access Land’ – so, figuring this meant it was our right to roam, we went through. That’s when Tosha spotted the sheep.
Mummy and Tolii watch "Sheepdog" Tosha chasing after sheep. He's that little dot in the centre, near the sheep.
What lovely soft creatures those sheep looked to be. Tosha really wanted to pet one. Off he went. And went. And went. Those darn sheep just didn’t want to stand still. Then we figured it out: they thought Tosha was a sheepdog that was herding them! On and on Tosha ran.
Free donkey ride back up the hill for Sheepdog Tosha
Finally, Mummy said “We really should go after him”. Luckily, I was busy with my camera and so she took off after him. On and on he still ran.
Tired Tosha Trudges Triumphantly (note the rectangular forest in the background)
A good third of a mile after the gate, he finally stopped. Mummy caught up with him, and surprise! he was tired. He somehow convinced Katya to carry him back UP the hillside that he had just so enjoyed running down. Mummy is really fit now.
Back to the hill for a wee before heading down and back to the car. Within a few minutes, both boys were asleep in the back. Daddy had to wait until arriving home before he could collapse asleep. How mummy managed to stay awake is nothing short of a miracle.
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