Brent Cross

Yesterday morning I took Olga on a long walk up to Brent Cross, an area north of us where there's a big shopping center.

We didn't need to go shopping, but I wanted to shoot some photos in the area. It's a fairly gritty urban environment, at least along the main roads -- you know I like that kind of thing.

Among the curious finds of the day -- two chandeliers and two bags of apples, all discarded on the same corner.

Olga was very patient during this urban exploration, trudging pantingly beside me and waiting while I took my photos. As a reward I took her to Gladstone Park, where we've been a few times before.

This was clearly the best part of the day, as far as she was concerned. Love that high summer grass!

Afterwards we walked back to West Hampstead and met Dave at a cafe for brunch. We sat out on the sidewalk (because dog), and I had Dave bring the sunblock because it was baking out there, at least by British standards. (It was in the mid-80s -- which I know is nothing compared to many American locales.)

Oh, remember our continuing mouse-control saga, and how each time we catch a mouse in a trap, I put the tiny carcass out in the back garden for the critters to take? Well, that system has worked well. The mice always disappear overnight. I've been curious about what's taking them -- a fox? A neighborhood cat?

So a few nights ago I put out our wildlife cam...

... and now we have an answer! Definitely NOT a cat, at least not in this case.

(Yes, I know the time and date on the picture are completely wrong. I just haven't set the camera correctly.)

This morning, I'm off to Florida! I'm planning to leave momentarily for Heathrow and my flight to Miami and then Jacksonville. Coming to you next from the Sunshine State!