by Moira

Mr & Mrs Badger sneaked in the back door of No 4, which they discovered was a little ajar and were extremely excited to find themselves on Fleurs latest blog. For some time, they had wondered if they would ever be a little more famous and here they were, admiring Davenham from the safety of the riverbank and sadly realising, she was just a little too large for them. Also, Mrs B. had a preference for her home deep in Powdermill Woods and knew that life on the river was not for her. However, it didn't mean that the occasional visit was out of the question, especially when the owners were not on board. A particular visit would always be remembered, an afternoon in early August 2012, watching safely from a distance, as Fleur came down the gangplank with Co-op bags, which could only mean one thing.
Such a feast was had, as a posh lunch had recently taken place, bowls of salads and cold meats, potato salad, a real favourite, delicious dressings and probably best of all, an opened bottle of Red wine. Always a treat to find an open bottle, as claws made this a tricky procedure. Mr B, cautioned Mrs B, knowing that time was of the essence, as she unwrapped more tempting treats from their protecting cloths and cling film. A slice of delicious lemon tart and the remains of the trifle were quickly consumed, whereupon Mr B heard noises approaching and glancing out of a porthole knew it was time to depart. The tide had also risen considerably, something that woodland dwellers had no knowledge of and Mrs B. was very nervous as she made her descent, clinging on tightly to Mr B. Safe on the bank, their only route was across to hide amongst a row of boats which they were puzzled to find on dry land. When the coast became clear and the sky was awash with pink and mauve, they headed for the nearby station, their train home and the safety of the woods.
They arrived home in darkness, Mr B. too tired for his usual night time forays, smoking his pipe while sat on a log pile, in a clearing, deep, deep in the woods. Tonight he fell into a deep slumber with Mrs B, happy and contented from such an exciting day on the river.
                                                           Moira Amey.
                                                                 9th November 2012