Of all the days to sleep in the pups hadn’t stirred by 7am, and I’d been awake since 5:30. My sister who I always wake at silly o clock had put her phone on silent and I had no internet so couldn’t call my niece or parents – I just had to wait. When they finally woke, they loved their antlers (Mabel stashed hers down the sofa) and ignored their toys choosing to eat everything instead.
As the sun began to rise, we spotted an Ibex on the mountain side and black vultures flying overhead. I was also partaking in the 12 days of running challenge so had a 1 mile run to do.
I opted to do the longer yellow trail run and duly got lost. I went the wrong way round, missed a key signpost and ended up clambering up boulders, jumping and dangling. It’s rare I scare myself but hey what’s a shot of fear and adrenaline to kick start a xmas morning!
Having told Mark I’d be out for 10mins, I came home over an hour later. I’d had no signal so when I found the campervan unlocked and Mark and Ernest missing I guessed he must have gone looking for me. I took Jasper and Mabel out and then spotted Mark walking Ernest back up the carpark by a rope followed by a shepherd. My heart sank…what had happened. Mark was shaken but said Ernest had escaped and chased the sheep.
I dashed over to the shepherd and was joined by the ranger. Neither spoke English so I’m not sure what happened but I fear Ernest hurt one of his sheep as he held a sheep bell in his hands. I apologised profusely in tears fully aware that this was the shepherds livelihood and he was understandably upset. I offered any compensation I could but the ranger just shrugged and said no.
Mark was still shaking as we tried to take stock. Ernest had hurt his paw and was downcast all day declining walks, toys or affection. I was worried he may have been beaten when caught. There was no blood and he was evidently very tired from running (as was Mark after trying to catch him). Mark was dreading having to explain the incident to me as he was so concerned Ernest would be shot or one of them would be injured running over the rough terrain. He didn’t see any hurt sheep and didn’t initially spot the shepherd had caught him.
So yes a very eventful morning. After a bodged attempt at carrot cake pancakes we decided to walk the yellow trail without the dogs. We saw a whole family of Ibex, got lost again but in a different place…I couldn’t find where I had got lost the first time.
After the incident I thought it best to drive on to a new spot, but Mark felt it ok to stay. The site was really busy with visitors and lots of dogs, and the sheep were no longer near the carpark so we braved walking the pups on the green trail and much to our relief all went well.
For xmas dinner we had falafel bolognese and then panatonne followed by games. Mabel hogged all the toys and the pups slept well. It really is a magical place.
SofaWolves 