I had to get out and walk today, been cooped up too long inside the farmhouse. I took Red up to Macmillan Road and we walked several miles over the hill and back. It felt good, it was crisp but comfortable. This is a long and unyielding stretch of hard winter, still, Spring is edging closer, it will be all the sweeter. Still strange walking on that road without the sweet Lenore, who I missed today, there was no dog snoring on the sofa in my study, she could brighten a room all by herself.

Red is a pleasure to walk with, you hardly have to think about him, he is always just up ahead, waiting for me.