Tache alas

Tache, alas, has been taken by a golden eagle. Apparently she put up a decent flight; being the dominant female of her particular flock and a hefty gal to boot, he wouldn't have had it easy. Alicia was witness to the end of the battle.
Ian raised her from an egg in an incubator and she lived in the courtyard here with her three friends Blanche Neige, Bella and Midnight, dominating the household. She ended her days on the field by the river, by any standards leading the life of Reilly. 
Sooner or later we'd have eaten her, I suppose. Its rather good that we are supporting endangered species. And I'm doing chicken for dinner tonight - one I haven't given a name to - so ethically can't fret too much.  Will miss her though. Is there a chicken heaven?

Tragedy aside,  life is good - smashing dinner at Mike and Hilary's -  getting ready for the captains arrival tomorrow and the preview of my show on Monday. Alicia is preparing delicious nibbles and there will be mulled wine. We struggle on.