Journal, Tenth Entry: Home again

Dear Mother and Father, We are back home in Songburrow. I am very happy. We have put the ponies in the field behind the house and they are happy too. The house is very dusty and smells funny. Rua says it needs to be aired and has opened all the doors and windows. It is sunny and hot. We went fishing in the stream across the road. I caught a stickleback. It had spines and pricked my fingers. Rua says they taste bad and threw it back. Then we caught a dace and a catfish. Rua showed me how to knock them on the head to kill them. Then he cleaned them. He cut the heads off and slit the belly open. The guts fell out. We threw them in the fire. Rua says not to leave guts lying around nearby or rats and other animals will come to eat them. Then we grilled the fish over the fire. You cut a willowstick and peel the bark off it. Then you put the stick through the fish. Then you hold them over the fire until they are cooked. You have to turn them so they don't burn. They tasted very good. Rua says fish are best eaten right after catching them. It is strange but nice to sleep in my own bed again. I have my own room. It has blue wallpaper and a cupboard and a shelf and a mirror. The bed has a cover made by Aunty Rose. It has flowers on it. Rua says tomorrow we will clean the house properly. Good night, Your loving Zara