A TUESDAY

The Beagles, went out on Tuesday, a Holme Valley Beagles event on private land that is in their country.  It was a very chilly start, bit of breeze, but fine.  It was rather hazy with rain going to come later, but too late to spoil the day.

Letting the beagles out always interests me.

A couple of years or so ago the rabbits in one large area here vanished due to myxomatosis.  Recently they returned.  This was taken a few years ago in the summer and not in quite the same spot as Tuesday, but shows how prolific they were and also the variety.  Anyway they came back again maybe stronger than ever.

Losing hounds down burrows at the edge of a moor took up some time on Tuesday.  There were one or two slightly larger holes, maybe opened up by the incessant rain as the ground is quite waterlogged this winter. The keeper came on his quad bike with two spades.  I don’t know if he was called or not but without him the beagles would still be in there.  Well an exaggeration perhaps but the huntsman was struggling using just his hands with a beagle or two well and truly stuck beyond his reach.    No one saw them go in but luckily they were found quickly -  

But those behind cried "Forward!", and those before cried "Back!" (Horatius)  
So they jammed themselves.

One finally emerges clad in wet black muck

Commiseration, consolation and a check over from some of the others.

  

 

Job done, followed by a count up to check if any are missing. One rescued hound is in front still trying to shake itself clean.  The huntsman wet and muddy too with a sodden jacket to put on that he had to lie on but relief all round.  It may look like summer but it was about 4C with a wind chill to make it feel colder.

Rescued and a bit sorry looking.

 Nose needs wiping Dad!

Waiting.

I wonder how many, if any, of those out that day ever really looked at what they were walking on in places.  The twenty pence piece illustrates the scale.

It is like fairyland.  A wonderful micro garden as good as any coral reef or lush tropical extravaganza.  I wish I had spent more time looking and preferably with a magnifying glass.  I haven’t a clue about this sort of stuff but I think it is absolutely fantastic especially if you can get into the tiny detail.  This is just a mini example.

It may look a rough old landscape in places, but there is more beauty here than meets the eye.  Pity I didn't get a better focus.

On the ground to be trampled on and some on the stones.

Time to go.

My last sight of the day.