Conditions at 12z (1PM BST): Thickness, 555dam, temperature 15C (dewpoint 12C). Wind from the south, 14 MPH. Today's high, 15C, last night's low 10C. (source: MetO, the 12z GFS and NOAA). A warm and humid airmass lies to the SW on the chart for 12z, with rain falling as early as 1130z over Beenham.

As is often the case before a wolfing day, I woke up early and was unable to get back to sleep properly. The severe weather warning from yesterday had been playing in my mind, especially as the risk had been bumped to 50%....

So, as I watched the dawn later on it was pleasing to see blue skies, with temperatures at 8C and falling as I left. Cleaning is an hour earlier now, and the clock in the car said 5:55 AM as I left (I really ought to change that to BST, but it doesn't seem worth it now....). However, cloud steadily increased as I headed westwards, heralding the arrival of a secondary low orbiting a deep depression near Iceland.

View to the Southwest, Beenham, 0742z
This particular area of cloud was seen to the SW, but similar clouds covered the entire sky. I parked in the secondary carpark, then realised that wasn't the best thing to do as it meant lugging my cargo of a PC and monitor a considerable difference to the Obs Room. Duma trotted over to watch me unload and the Euros all came over, tails wagging, as I passed. Indeed, I carefully put the monitor on the gravel and went over to the wolves, letting them have a good sniff... and as ever, poor old Latea was punished by the others for coming to see me, with plenty of dominance related snarling going on. It was on the trip back to the car that Latea started howling, and she has a wonderful deep voice.

As luck would have it, I had my Psion handy and plonked it on a nearby picnic table. Even better, the wolves started "rallying", an exuberant pack activity whereby the wolves nuzzle and brush against each other, with an unusual sound while they do it...

Heck, turn up the volume and click on this link, which will take you to an MP3 of the rallying. It's hard to describe in words what it sounds like, so listening to it is the best option!

After a brief rally, the wolves turned to howling as usual - this photo was taken during the howling heard above:

Alba (left) and Lunca

For some reason, the roads and paths were all damp in Beenham, despite being dry back home - that explains the wet looking tables in the above photo.

It wasn't long before the others arrived and it was time to get to work - cleaning the Euro enclosure this time. The wolves had left several "gifts" for us today, so there was a fair amount of straw to be incinerated - today's ideal choice would have been Duma and Dakota's enclosure it seems!

There was to be a private walk later in the day, and finally my desire for Net access got the better of me. I logged onto one of the PCs, entered my Demon account details and headed online, pulling up radar images that showed a huge bulk of rain to the SW. The obvious question was asked, and my repy was "a couple of hours" - which would put the rain during the walk. As it happened I was on car watch duty, giving me an excellent view of the light drizzle that started at half twelve - or 2 hours and 15 minutes after that radar image. On one hand I was pleased that technology had lived up to expectations, on the other hand I ended up getting rather wet as I headed to meet up with the wolves later on!

Before the wolves were put into their trailer, they had some fun with the Euros - although neither side deigned to growl or show much in the way of open hostility.

Here's a short (very short) video clip of Duma and the Euros. (Note: you might need to right click and select save as... to get it to work)

Dakota, literally pawing at the gate in an attempt to get to the Euros! There's no love lost between them, as the Euros are the reason that Dakota had to have part of her tail removed...

As usual, I was advised to "check in" with the wolves - Duma gave me a quick sniff, Dakota though decided to put her nose close to mine for a good 8 seconds as I bent down. The wolves (strangely enough) didn't go swimming, although they had a quick paddle. They didn't dawdle on the way back, either, nor did the visitors as it was still chucking it down.

After the guests had had their tour and made their purchases, it was time for our traditional trainee walk around the fields. Both the wolves were wonderful today; Dakota dragged me into the stream (splosh!) and Duma... Well, Duma doesn't like Kenai. Duma really doesn't like Kenai, and the feeling is mutual. So, as Duma and I approached Kenai's enclosure it was no surprise that Duma started "stalking" Kenai.... Then it happened, Kenai bouncing around like mad, growling all the while, while Duma hauled me with considerable force towards the fence. That was a problem, as Duma would happily chew on it (as she wouldn't be able get to Kenai to chew on her). My job was to keep the wolf away from the fence, and by gum they can pull if they want to! Still, I got off lightly it seems as I know they can haul a man after them should they really want to....

Dakota at the start of the walk - the wolves love investigating the various scents

As we left the snarling elderly wolves behind, Duma became her normal self again. The rest of the walk was uneventful, and in gathering gloom (and drizzle) it was time to set off for home. It may have been wet, but hey - at least it was mild!

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