I was sitting at the kitchen table eating my breakfast (a toasted sourdough crumpet – now addicted – with melted butter washed down with a mug of Earl Grey) when I heard a loud squawking outside that sounded, well, like a big bird shouting for another bird.

So I went outside and looked upwards….. perched on the branch of the nearby stag oak was a large Red Kite.

He was shouting his head off.  He was not a happy bird.

After a while he flew off and started flying in large circles.

He was looking for someone.

And then his girlfriend arrived and I could see what all the shouting was about.

Kite 1 – “Where have you been? What time do you call this? What do you mean you were at the shops?  We have things to do. Come one, let’s get going!”

And they flew off.  They were pretty impressive birds. I hope Kite 1 is happy now.

Another very cold and crispy walk at 07:00 this morning.

I felt brave and so, armed with visible and loud dog-treats, I let Ted off the lead in strategic places of the walk. He was a good boy…. so far….. (again, he has previous and Mum always walked him on a lead because he ran off a few times).  We will see.  He can make his own choices.

I also had a migraine most of the day so will keep this short. Ted and I are now curled up on the sofa watching a film (MIB International – though I have just watched all the Addams Family films, and then Ghostbusters (2016 version) with a hot water bottle.  Later I will cook myself some Jiaozi (餃子) followed by an early night.

I hate being this tired.  I think it is from having to wear clean and tidy clothes as well as being nice all the time. It’s killing me!

Last night, Ted and I went to bed at 20.30. I make no excuse for this – I was utterly exhausted and definitely asleep by 21.00.

This resulted in me waking early this morning so, as it was getting late, lighter and I couldn’t procrastinate any longer, I took Ted out for his usual walk on my own.

It was very cold and there had been quite a frost overnight.

The dog walk used to be Floss’ job and I am missing her more than anything. She did everything for me and my life was relatively easy, I now realise and was possibly not nearly grateful enough.

I have put notes all around the house reminding me to do various essential and instantly forgettable things so hopefully I will stay on top of everything.

It was a nice walk – a few deer in the distance and lone golf ball.

I am sure Ted and I will quickly fall into a routine together.  Before, Ted had been Floss’ perogative so it’s just him and me from now on.

He has a lovely Winning Smile so I think is happy with his set-up.

Waffle and Tiddles were released from their prison today and went back to rejoin the herd at Leradale.  They were very happy.  Lots of galloping and bouncing. It is lovely to see them even only on a film. I will admit I was very worried about their future but they both look absolutely fine.  Daisy has done miracles.

Meanwhile, my today has been better with Mum. We moved her to the promised nursing home and that is a vast improvement in every way.

Floss also went back up to Shetland so we had to leave Ted to himself for a while and he was a very good boy.

I am making a huge fuss of him because there was no “revenge peeing” (he has previous with this).

An exhausting but definitely worth it day. I think we will all sleep well tonight.

I’m sorry but today I can’t actually speak or write anything.  I have nothing.  It has been terrible.  We are moving Mum to a private nursing home tomorrow.