BRITISH WILDLIFE UNDERFOOT

I had a very English-y animal encounter today, on the way home from work. My office is a couple of farm fields away from Megan's (who graciously drives me to Madingley every day), and I always enjoy the walk through my own slice of English countryside. This afternoon's walk was even better than usual because as I rounded a bend in the path there was a rustle and rush at my feet as a male pheasant took flight. I had disturbed his grazing, and he let me know it, flying across the field cackling and shaking his feathers as he landed.

I thought, if only I was out here on my horse, with my dog at my side (NOT to hunt!), it just wouldn't get any more English than this.