12z today - High pressure lies to the west of the UK, pulling down some cold air for England. Conditions at 12PM on Sunday: Thickness, 528dam, temperature 4C(dewpoint 1C). Wind from the NNW, 12 MPH. Today's high, 4C, last night's low 0C. (source: MetO, the 12z GFS and NOAA).

There were clear skies this morning as I wrote the model analysis and temperatures fell steadily as dawn approached. By the time I ventured out the temperature was 2 degrees with the light of dawn to the east.

It was as quiet as ever on the roads, although the overhead matrix signs on the M20 lent a wintry feel to things, displaying "Gritting in progress" - there were no gritters to be seen though.

The temperature slowly dropped as I headed westwards and by the time I reached Bracknell there was a frost visible on the verges, with the temperature hovering around freezing (and still with clear skies). I arrived at the Trust at ten to nine to find some others were already there - John and his wife Paula, plus Dominic. Dominic runs a website with hundreds of photos of the Trust and it was he that gave me the idea to write these articles in the first place!

Once again I was lucky enough to see the wolves being let out. Latea didn't go in last night (so no food for her), but Lunca and Alba zoomed out of their kennels once the doors were opened. As it'll soon be the breeding season, Lunca was being a bully to Latea, growling and mounting her to show who's boss. Dakota also stayed out last night and was soon joined in her enclosure by Duma, then it was the turn of Kodiak and Kenai. The latter wolf came out with a chunk of deer flesh in her jaws, but she quickly changed her mind, ducked into the kennel and emerged with some different meaty bones which she carried into the enclosure.

Kenai with a take-away meal.

Today's cleaning job was the European kennels and for the third week in a row the wolves stayed out of sight while we cleared away the bones and sluiced the floors. By now there were some cumulus clouds building and moving in from the north, but at no stage did they threaten rain (or snow)! Some of the other volunteers had seen some of the white stuff though, as hillier areas to the WSW of Reading saw a couple of inches apparently. All Beenham had yesterday was cold rain.

It wasn't long before the members walk so I zipped along the back roads into the woods. The woods were as muddy as ever, and there seemed to be a "lazy wind" (ie it didn't go round you but straight through you instead). It's no doubt a taste of things to come over the next few days for my part of the world - and it was the chilliest wind I'd felt for some time.

The guests were given their safety talk (hold out a clenched fist so the wolf can sniff you, don't worry if the wolf takes your hand in her muzzle, etc) and while that was going on I was able to take some pictures of Duma and Dakota. They're sisters, but have slightly different markings on their muzzles...

Dakota.

Duma.

Dakota parked herself in front of me, so I did the obvious and gave her belly a good rub - only to get a muddy hand for my troubles. Doh! I'm still impressed at how magnificent their fur is at this time of year, as you can see even on Duma's head it's pretty thick!

The woods were interesting today, with an area of bracken steaming away in the (surprisingly warm) January sunshine. I'd heard of it happening, but until now hadn't actually seen it:

With temperatures around 3C at 1PM, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to see some ice on the puddles. The wolves decided to walk around the ice rather than crunch through it as I would have done!

After a stint on car watch duty it was time to head back to the Trust. I helped out with the merchandise side of things for a few minutes before I was called away - despite being the only trainee there it was decided there'd still be a walk for me. Even better, it was to be a walk with Kenai, my favourite wolf, but as ever it necessitated seperating her from her brother. I still feel mean for doing it, but as I galloped along with Kodiak following me I wondered if he'd ever learn he was being tricked!

Kenai.

So, it was just Kenai, myself and Wendy (the assistant senior who was looking after me) out in the fields - and it's still as amazing an experience as ever. Kenai stopped a few times to get her tummy and head scratched by Wendy and as we were heading back I got a chance to join in - and if anything, Kenai's fur is softer and thicker than Duma and Dakota's.

Kenai was then called upon to do some "meet and greets" with the guests and she lapped it up, as she did last week. Indeed, it's no lie to say Kenai loves meeting people, at least judging by the way she was wagging her tail!

After that with dusk looming and temperatures falling I decided to call it a day and head for home. On the way back the clear skies were replaced with altocumulus (and the moon gained a halo), then further into Kent the moon vanished behind thicker cloud, although it remained dry throughout. As ever, another great Sunday!

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