The cliff top cache

The walk to the first cache was along the cliff tops with spectacular views.

Tata ran ahead excitedly thinking about digging holes in the sand, although still puzzled as to why Leonora would want to do this. She had never done it before when she had visited the Smith household, but perhaps she had learnt recently.

The two little crutches were in good spirits. Leonard was walking much more easily and not putting so much of his weight on them. In fact he had even lost a couple of pounds although it was hardly noticeable. After all, two pounds from 14 stone 10lbs was hardly a dramatic loss. They chattered quietly away as they limped along with Leonard.

Both Leonard and Mrs Leonard were in good humour too. They were relieved that Leonora's temper tantrum seemed to have passed over and all bode well for the day out.

The two walking poles did not say much to each other. They were conscious of their critical role in the geocaching expeditions and were concentrating on the task ahead. After all, if it was not for them, who else would thrash back brambles and nettles, and poke inside places for caches where there may be snakes?

Leonora brought up the rear of the group. She was deeply disturbed that she had thought of a fine idea to avenge herself on Leonard, only to be unable to carry it out.

She was scouring the ground around her looking for fortuitously-placed sharp objects, capable of making a deep incision in Leonard's super new tyres. But there were none.

Leonard turned round and wondered what on earth she was doing.

"Leonora. Why are you looking at the ground? You look as though you are searching for something. Did you lose something here in a previous life?" Laughing, but not in a nasty way.

She looked up embarrassed. "I don't know what I was doing to be honest. Don't even know what I was thinking." Pleading temporary insanity seemed to be the easiest way to answer the question and was hardly likely to surprise Leonard.

"Did you say you were going to show me how to use the GPS?" she asked, deciding to change the subject radically.

The noisy little crutches shut up suddenly. The poles stopped concentrating on caching. Mrs Leonard looked mildly surprised. Leonard's mouth fell open. Tata was too far ahead to hear or no doubt she would have ground to a sudden halt.

"Well?" she asked.

"Of course, if you want," he replied. And they all set off again with Leonora feigning her new fascination for the GPS and the silly geocaching, while thinking about her evil plans for savaging the Land Rover.

It had to be said, it was an excellent walk around the headland and Leonora was particularly interested in the remains of the Iron Age fort and the ancient strip-field system. The cache was easily found and Leonora squealed with delight. Leonard, who really should have known Leonora better, beamed at her.

"You see, it is fun isn't it, once you get the hang of it?" he said, genuinely pleased that she was enjoying herself. Silly Leonard, thought Leonora.

Tata posed as usual for her photo.



Then she ran over to Leonora.

"Ruff," she ordered.

"Oh Tata, the truth is, I am not sure if I am up to digging holes in the sand with my hands.

"You see, I don't have such fine paws as you for digging holes," said Leonora sadly.

Tata gazed at her beautiful paws in admiration and looked at Leonora's useless hands. She had a point. But she had also made a deal. Or rather Leonard had, on her behalf.

"Ruff, ruff," she barked sternly. Worrying that she was not going to get her run on the beach.

"How about if I come down the beach with you and watch you dig the holes, and learn how to do it for in future?"

"Ruff," she barked mollified.

Leonora turned to Leonard. "And how about you come dig some holes too? Seeing as you dropped me in it for this one."

"Can't get down the cliff path with the little crutches. But we'll all watch you. Don't forget to run round in crazy circles as well. I might even get some good photos."

So off Leonora and Tata went down the steep cliff path to the beach. All seemed to be well.