Oswald RIP

Of course this is a terrible time for everyone, far and near - of course tragedy is striking many lives all round the world. It seems somewhat obscene to make a fuss about a tortoise.

But we loved Oswald!

She came to us in February 2012 when her real owner, Jim B., went off travelling. She came for a holiday and stayed for a decade.

Jim had her as a gift when he was eleven years old, 50 plus years ago. Not sure how old she was then.  He liked the name without knowing she was female.

She fitted in so well here. If you put Oswald into the search bit on the top of the page, (and that of the previous blog, tilling-sur-aude) you will find her chasing hens, fighting rabbits, stalking fledglings... she was affectionate and curious and thoughtful. A delight. We are missing  her dreadfully.

The picture shows her coming out of hibernation in January. We put her back and she broke out, regularly, until the real spring when she came no more. The last time I saw her live was by moonlight, happening across her as she stumped across the courtyard to her nest. She was of an age, for sure, but I'm apportioning global warming some blame.

---Commiserations to Jim.