12z today - A Scandinavian High lies to the northeast, feeding chill easterlies over SE England and southerlies or SSE'lies for much of the British Isles. Thickness, 552dam, temperature 12C(dewpoint 9C). Wind from the east, 13 MPH. Today's high 15C, last night's low 6C. (source: MetO, the 12z GFS and NOAA).

Just over a year ago I set off on the 120 mile journey to Beenham, feeling incredibly nervous. I had no reason to be really, but it was a heck of a change from meandering around bootfairs or spending Sunday afternoons fragging people with rocket launchers in a quick game of Doom or slaughtering goblins in EverQuest!

Little did I realise just how much time I'd be spending there, or that I'd be driving 8,000 miles over the coming year in pursuit of wolves. Whether it's been snowy or sunny, 2C or 27C, the wolves and their handlers have remained as friendly as ever. I can honestly say that the days at the Trust have been the best of my life and long may it continue!

For those who are curious, the first "Wolves and Weather" article, complete with pictures of soggy wolves, can be found here:

http://www.medvale.net/wolves/04-03-20/04-03-20.htm

Unlike this time last year, which saw wet and windy weather, today was about as far removed from that as is possible. It dawned misty here in Leysdown, with temperatures around 6C. The temperature rose steadily as I forged westwards along the motorways and just under 2 hours later I arrived in Beenham under leaden skies, with temperatures around 10C. The main gate was locked, but I didn't have to wait long before John (the safety officer) came along and let me in. There was a computer problem to be solved today, so instead of clearing away straw and hosing down kennels I was fiddling around with GeForce 4 drivers and trying to get an old nVidia TNT2 working instead - I love tinkering with hardware and although it meant I was away from the wolves I was sure I'd be able to make it up later. As ever I learnt something, namely that GeForce 4 drivers muck up DirectDraw with a TNT2, something that shouldn't really be the case. Ah well...

I arrived back at the Obs Room as the tasks were being assigned for the walk. This time I wasn't to be on car watch duty, instead I'd be continuing my training by handling in the woods again. Dominic and I headed down to the woods to greet the guests, who included a professional photographer who was taking pictures to be used in a local glossy free paper. There was a further briefing to discuss who'd be handling which wolf and when, then the walk started.

Duma (left) and Dakota meet the guests

For the first part of the walk, I was snapping away as usual, grabbing quite a few photos of the wolves. It's tinder dry in the bracken, but there are still quite a few muddy puddles for the wolves to plough through. Duma and Dakota are still in season, but it's coming to the end of the breeding period now and the next time I visit things should be back to normal. The grey skies, meanwhile, were replaced by increasing sunshine and by the end of the walk the skies were clear - as they remained for the rest of the day.

Dakota investigates some brambles

We reached the halfway point and the traditional "stump talk" started, which is something I normally listen to as each time there's something different to be picked up. However, today I was offered the chance to take Dakota - and needless to say I wasn't going to turn down that offer! So, mindful of what happened last week, I was interested to see what she'd do. It didn't take long before the action started, as she eyed me up for a bit then, with a twinkle in her eyes, it happened - boing!. This time I was prepared and moved the chain lead down, as after all if you're controlling the head the rest of the wolf has to follow. She tried again a few times before accepting that I wasn't going to let her bounce around and from then on it was plain sailing.

I handed control back at the lake and took up the role of backup handler, which means stepping in if something happens such as the handler falls over, or if people get too close to the wolf etc. This also gave my first experience of a "meet and greet", directing the guests to hold a fist out for the wolf to sniff, then to move round and stroke Dakota's belly. It's something I've done in the controlled surroundings of the Trust, but until now never in the woods with the public.

Dakota peeks through the undergrowth
Last week Dakota decided to "test" me, as is a wolf's nature. They know darned well when someone's on the lead who's not usually there and last time Dakota decided to keep sitting down, which she seemed to throughly enjoy! So I was slightly apprehensive as I was offered the lead for the final part of the walk but I needn't have been as Dakota was perfectly behaved. It seems (thankfully) that she accepts me as dominant and thus has decided for the time being not to "test" me further. With wolves one has to be continually aware though and the next round could come at any time...

Kenai

Back at the Trust I helped out on the merchandise side of things, something I enjoy as it involves mental arithmetic, daft though it sounds! The guests were taken on a tour of the facilities and as usual the old wolves appeared to see their admirers.

Kodiak

Not long after that the visitors departed and after discussing the UKWCT website it was time for me to leave as well. The traffic was very light and once again Kent saw a remarkable contrast in weather - the temperature fell from 14C or so through Surrey to 11C at Maidstone and 6C by the time I arrived back on the Isle of Sheppey. It's amazing the difference a slight easterly wind can make!

For the first time since August I won't be heading to the Trust next week as there'll be no walk and no cleaning on Easter Sunday. Normal service will be resumed in April!

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