It was a wonderful hike (more on that later) – but I am going to skip right to coming back home at about 3.30 p.m.

I opened the door and thought I smelled something funny. I decided it had to be my imagination. So I had a bath, which was wonderful – but that smell….

Hmmmm, I said to myself, grabbed my flashlight and crawled into the space behind the bathroom. I shone the light carefully, not cursorily as I had been doing as I checked for rat bodies.

And there it was: the source of the odour – and very strong. So strong I almost threw up. My heart started racing – and now, an hour later, it’s still galloping like mad in my chest.

I admit freely that I wimped out and called Paul (my LL) to ask him to take the body away. He did and I was infinitely grateful.

I want my heart to slow down at some point. I wish I had a drink but I don’t so it will have to return to a normal pace on its own. I don’t know why this upsets me so much – it just does.

Okay – back to the hike. (whew!) Abby and I took the blue trail (long route) to the steep pink trail and then to the top. I’d forgotten how steep it gets and was so proud of Abby for doing it all unassisted. In a couple of places she found some work-arounds. She also took advantage of every photo stop to sit, lie down, or roll in the grass and moss.

She is now sleeping peacefully. I don’t think anything is going to wake her up until tomorrow morning.

Simon made it home safely and he and Shanara are well. That’s the best news.

One of the best feelings in the world (my opinion) is caring about another person – caring about their welfare, their health, their happiness. It’s not worry about – it’s caring. And it’s love.