Stormy night

It was windy during the night, in fact quite stormy. Thunder rumbled across the foothills and whilst here was no rain, the winds were strong. Old branches crashed onto bungalow roofs with a regular monotony through the night. The odd 'crash' bought you out of a fitful sleep, alert to possibilities that a rather larger branch was on a direct  collision course with your bed but here we all are in the morning, safe and sound, albeit slightly sleepy. The clouds are low across the mountains, rincon de vieja national park swathed in grey, through which the occasional mountain peak silhouette emerges for a fleeting second. The wind is warm, breezy, swaying branches, bending back leaves, creating that rustling sound that crescendos and falls with each gust rolling down the hills. Our two dogs, who our son befriended yesterday have remained loyally on station throughout the night outside our doors under the benches. I don't know what they expect in return. Perhaps he is the first guest ever to take any interest in them

. They look on initial glances somewhat mangy and flea bitten but close up they appear lean, fit, well groomed. They are clearly working dogs. But sadly their time has come. Amongst much barking, whining and howling, the two dogs are rounded up by the gauchos........not that the two dogs didn't give them a merry and very entertaining runaround on the lawns but clearly there is work to do. This is a working hacienda and cows need to be moved along the roads. Relaxation time for the dogs is over......another day is starting at the hacienda!