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Queen Boudica (Boadicea) of the Iceni was my 66th Grandmother!

Yes, it's true! I came from Granny Boadicea. My 66th Grandmother in fact. Here is the research done by my father establishing that. Thanks Dad.

The family tree (see link) also includes such illustrious names as:

Alfred (Ælfrēd) "The Great" WESSEX King of England (871-899) (849 - 901)

and unfortunately

Baldrick ie Balderich (Baldric) Teutonicus de COURCY (970 - 1018)

elperronegro.com/queen-boudica


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Took a punt on the €75 TTArtisans 25mm f2 APS-C lens. (37.5mm full frame equivalent). Very cheap and with some obvious weaknesses, especially corner sharpness at f2, but in general for the price paid the lens doesn't do a bad job. Best of all the weight is under 200 grams which all helps my ageing legs when walking up hills!

Three yellow cactus plants sit amid a lot of green ones
Three yellow cactus plants sit amid a lot of green ones
To the right is the town of Lanjaron in Andlaucia. Above is a blue sky with some whispy white clouds
To the right is the town of Lanjaron in Andlaucia. Above is a blue sky with some whispy white clouds

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Relaxing and enjoying lunch on the summit of Chullo 2612m today. We climbed this from the Puerto de la Ragua, traversing the peak from north to south. In the distance there is still snow on the summit of mainland Spain's highest peak, Mulhacén 3482m

People sit and eat lunch on a mountain summit. There is a large trig point to the right. In the distance are some snow covered peaks
People sit and eat lunch on a mountain summit. There is a large trig point to the right. In the distance are some snow covered peaks

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I had to work this morning. Yes the dreaded "W" word!🤣
We did a couple of short routes ... the Ruta Pavilla at Nigüelas followed by the stunning Cascada Alcázar at Conchar (photo beow). You can easily fit both routes into a full morning's walk.

A waterfall drops through heavy green vegetation to the floor. Rock walls line the two sides
A waterfall drops through heavy green vegetation to the floor. Rock walls line the two sides

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Arko enjoying his dog walk in the cool morning air before the sun comes up

A siberian husky dog with blue eyes is seen coming down through some lush green land
A siberian husky dog with blue eyes is seen coming down through some lush green land

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Bougainvillea season has arrived!

The photo is filled with bright pink Bougainvillea growing in southern Spain
The photo is filled with bright pink Bougainvillea growing in southern Spain

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Hiking the "Sendero de Pavilla" above the Andalucian town of Nigüelas. A short, but high quality route, on aerial walkways above the valley and alongside irrigation channels

A group of hikers walk beneath a prominent rocky mountain summit
A group of hikers walk beneath a prominent rocky mountain summit
A group of hikers walk along a narrow path with a fence guarding the drop. A cliff looms high above
A group of hikers walk along a narrow path with a fence guarding the drop. A cliff looms high above
A narrow sliver of space between two large rock walls allows the hiker passage through
A narrow sliver of space between two large rock walls allows the hiker passage through
A group of hikers walk along a narrow path with a fence guarding the drop. A cliff looms high above. There is a lush green valley to the right
A group of hikers walk along a narrow path with a fence guarding the drop. A cliff looms high above. There is a lush green valley to the right

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Village scenes, Nigüelas, Andalucia

Rows of colourful bright yellow flower pots stand in lines next to some trickling water fountain
Rows of colourful bright yellow flower pots stand in lines next to some trickling water fountain
A lady scrubs and repairs a broken wall using a brush
A lady scrubs and repairs a broken wall using a brush
Two children sit on a white horse in the middle of the town of Niguelas, Andalucia
Two children sit on a white horse in the middle of the town of Niguelas, Andalucia
A street scene in Niguelas, Andalucia. The street is deserted, the right hand side of the street is in shadow
A street scene in Niguelas, Andalucia. The street is deserted, the right hand side of the street is in shadow

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I owe my existence today to the Anzacs. In early October 1917 my grandfather was trapped in a shell hole at the 3rd Battle of Passchendaele, (Poekapelle) Ypres. He had been there under fire from machine guns on the Bellvue Spur for 3 days and had developed severe trench foot. He was relieved by the II Anzac Corps and was able to crawl the 4 miles back to an Aid Station where he received aid and was repatriated to the UK. Without the Anzacs, he's probably still be there 🙏


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"Acequias" flowing freely this morning. Don't think it will be long before they start to dry up though. Love the way the light has created small rainbows to the left of the falls.

Water comes gushing down an irrigation channel. There is a wall to the right and bright green shrub to the left. Some small rainbows are captured by the light and the water
Water comes gushing down an irrigation channel. There is a wall to the right and bright green shrub to the left. Some small rainbows are captured by the light and the water

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The drought this year in Spain will be bad, I mean very bad. Water will be like liquid gold and as scarce as rocking horse crap. So, we decided to turn our swimming pool into a greenhouse instead. We are not particularly water babies, so thankfully don't use our pool. It's a small area, easily maintained, safe from winds and easy to water.
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Greenhouse relocated in an old swimming pool
Greenhouse relocated in an old swimming pool

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I've never got into "Reddit". For some reason it never appealed and I left well alone. But, once I saw that there was an alternative called Lemmy, I dived right in. Got to say, I'm enjoying the experience and finding it interesting.

So now I am on , , & . What other ActivityPub software would anybody recommend I have a look at?


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Cat - wonder what she's thinking?

A brown and white cat sits contentedly on a mat in a garden
A brown and white cat sits contentedly on a mat in a garden

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A section of the GR142 long distance path through the Alpujarras this morning. And what a morning it is. Have a great weekend everybody.

An old trail signpost in the foreground with an old building at the back and to the right
An old trail signpost in the foreground with an old building at the back and to the right
The outskirts of the town of Lanjaron with the deep valley of the Rio Lanjaron in shade running up to the right.
The outskirts of the town of Lanjaron with the deep valley of the Rio Lanjaron in shade running up to the right.

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Back to Motril to pick up some new mountain sunglasses I had ordered as I sat on the last ones! Still, it's not a chore when you pass such lovely city scenes

A water fountain leaps up from a small lake in a city park. There is lots of green plants and pink blossoms with a large church at the rear. Bright blue skies
A water fountain leaps up from a small lake in a city park. There is lots of green plants and pink blossoms with a large church at the rear. Bright blue skies

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Been on a city trip today. I like Motril. Laid back, friendly, great tapas bars and some beautiful walks and sights, such as Las Palmeras, Santuario Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza and Parque de los Pueblos de América

Green park with a church/cathedral at the back and framed by two palm trees
Green park with a church/cathedral at the back and framed by two palm trees
An avenue framed by giant palm trees. A cyclist is coming down the path
An avenue framed by giant palm trees. A cyclist is coming down the path
A fountain is in the foreground. behind is an avenue of tall palm trees
A fountain is in the foreground. behind is an avenue of tall palm trees

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Scenes from the Good Friday dog walk

A path leads down to the right whilst behind is a spanish town with mountains behind
A path leads down to the right whilst behind is a spanish town with mountains behind
Water flows fast down an irrigation channel. Lots of green shrub to the right
Water flows fast down an irrigation channel. Lots of green shrub to the right
A early morning sunlit lane in Spain. The lane is in bright sunshine whilst the surrounding trees are dark and in shade
A early morning sunlit lane in Spain. The lane is in bright sunshine whilst the surrounding trees are dark and in shade
Two dogs stand in an irrigation channel cooling off. There is a white dog and a siberian husky
Two dogs stand in an irrigation channel cooling off. There is a white dog and a siberian husky

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Ermita del Tajo de la Cruz, Lanjarón

Black and white photo of a small Ermita (chapel) on a hill in Spain. A cross is to the left and a small chapel to the right
Black and white photo of a small Ermita (chapel) on a hill in Spain. A cross is to the left and a small chapel to the right

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"The Hole in the Wall Gang", bandidas inglesas a Piedra de los Pajaros hoy 😀

Old "looking" photo with 6 people standing outside a cliff face which has a door cut into it.
Old "looking" photo with 6 people standing outside a cliff face which has a door cut into it.

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And it's so nice to see the irrigation channels running full blast this morning. The dogs loved it!

A small waterfall lit up by the morning sun
A small waterfall lit up by the morning sun

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The cooler air made for stunningly clear views this morning from the dog walk

A silhouette of a tree tot he left on a hillside. To the right the spanish town of Lanjaron sits on the hillside
A silhouette of a tree tot he left on a hillside. To the right the spanish town of Lanjaron sits on the hillside
The first rays of the sun  light up some cliffs in Andalucia, Spain. Some dark shadows to the left but clear views to the right
The first rays of the sun light up some cliffs in Andalucia, Spain. Some dark shadows to the left but clear views to the right

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No mountains for me this weekend, sadly. I'm putting my amateur developer head on & rebuilding my local walking club website. Originally was a Ghost site, I converted it to MD files & imported to @eleventy & used simplecss.org for easy styling. No Javascript. The usual post build production (html-min etc) gave me this result on Lighthouse. More than pleased with the day's work! Clean & functional, no frills, as you'd expect from this combination.

mountainnomads.group

A lighthouse developer score screenshot.
A lighthouse developer score screenshot.

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I have to admit that I am fascinated by snow tunnels. One glance inside opens up another world, almost other worldly. A world that has laid dormant and asleep for months. Strange colours and textures line the walls, insects stir, green shoots appear and the air is filled with the sound of running water. Life is returning. I did tell you I like them. Didn't I? 😂

A mountain stream with greenery either side runs beneath a snow tunnel formed by melting snow pack
A mountain stream with greenery either side runs beneath a snow tunnel formed by melting snow pack

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Good morning Tooters! The head belongs to our cat, "Sweep". She is the most "cat-like" of our cats. Here, seen snuggled up to her sister. Difficult to tell which body belongs to which 😂

A black, brown and white cats head comes out of a dark background. Other cat bodies are around but blurred.
A black, brown and white cats head comes out of a dark background. Other cat bodies are around but blurred.

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Today, with no great expectations, we went in search of a thin ribbon of snow that would lead to the summit of Caballo 3009m. Sad to say, that did not exist. After 20 years of enjoying superb winters here, this winter is definitely the worst. In earlier years I have skied this slope in mid-May, but today end of March 2023, it's like June. Anyway, any day out on the hills is good & this area of the Sierra Nevada is so wild & unspoiled.

Man with skies walks down a snow free mountainside with distant views of snow free mountains
Man with skies walks down a snow free mountainside with distant views of snow free mountains

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Just made my first major change to Open Street Map when, a few days ago, I came across a marked hiking path in the Sierra Nevada that was in fact a shallow dry watercourse with no sign of passage that led to some steep and difficult terrain to descend. Hope I've put it through OK on the edits.


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The eastern Sierra Nevada west of Puerta de la Ragua provides high, rolling mountain country. Morron del Hornillo (2377m) and Morron Sanjuanero (2609m) are moderate objectives for a day hike but we made it a little more interesting by coming down SE of the summit to join the Trans Sierra Nevada cycle track.

View across a mountain range to snow clad peak of Picon de Jerez. To the right lie vast pine forests
View across a mountain range to snow clad peak of Picon de Jerez. To the right lie vast pine forests
The Picos de Jerez in Spain's Sierra Nevada with snow on it. In the foreground a solitary hiker looks at the view
The Picos de Jerez in Spain's Sierra Nevada with snow on it. In the foreground a solitary hiker looks at the view
A group of hikers walk along a forest road high in the mountains
A group of hikers walk along a forest road high in the mountains
Hikers traversing and descending a steep shrub covered hillside
Hikers traversing and descending a steep shrub covered hillside

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Sometimes going off the beaten track can land you in some incredible situations. Of course, you have to be prepared for rough terrain and going pathless isn't for everybody, but do it, take it in, embrace it and enjoy it! You see the Sierra Nevada how it used to be. Wild, untamed and natural. We left no trace

6 people stood on a high rocky platform surrounded by green pine forests
6 people stood on a high rocky platform surrounded by green pine forests

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I think they enjoyed today's hike into the high mountains!

A group of 6 people jumping for joy at being in the high mountains
A group of 6 people jumping for joy at being in the high mountains

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I was a bit too late to capture tonight's "Parade of the Planets" but a beautiful sky nonetheless. The bright planet must be "Venus" I guess.

farmersalmanac.com/rare-sky-ev

Beautiful star covered sky with lights from a village in the bottom of the screen
Beautiful star covered sky with lights from a village in the bottom of the screen

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Short video: Scrambling down the west ridge of the Peñon de la Mata. To the south the snow clad Sierra Nevada mountains and to the west the outskirts of the city of Granada

A sweeping panorama from a mountain summit in Spain towards the Sierra Nevada mountains and the city of Granada

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Warm morning walk today along the "acequias" (irrigation channels) above Lanjarón. Earned the cold beer afterwards!

People hiking with a deep green valley below them
People hiking with a deep green valley below them
People hiking with dogs alongside an irrigation channel in southern Spain. Lots of greenery to the right and shadows to the left
People hiking with dogs alongside an irrigation channel in southern Spain. Lots of greenery to the right and shadows to the left
Hikers taking a break with signposts to the left and a valley to the right
Hikers taking a break with signposts to the left and a valley to the right
People hiking with dogs alongside an irrigation channel in southern Spain. Lots of greenery to the right and shadows to the left
People hiking with dogs alongside an irrigation channel in southern Spain. Lots of greenery to the right and shadows to the left

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A year ago today the Sahara Dust arrived (Calima). The whole of the south of Spain was affected. Our town Lanjarón, was turned dirty orange, almost like a Sci-Fi movie. After a week we were left with houses, cars and trees covered in a dirty brown dusty mud. That legacy still remains in many parts of towns and villages.

Instead of re-painting our house white we painted it "Sahara Dust" colour in case it returns. Lazy aren't we? 😂


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End of another glorious day. Night all you Tooters!


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Loved this frontage to a house in the village of Izbor, Andalucia. Despite being covered with remnants of the Autumn's Sahara Dust storm (Calima) the owner has decorated with plants in beautiful ceramic vases.

A typical town house in southern Spain with rather drab paint decorated with plants and shrubs in ceramic vases. Blue sky above
A typical town house in southern Spain with rather drab paint decorated with plants and shrubs in ceramic vases. Blue sky above

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Memories from the past: 17th July 1983 and my first time on the summit of Mont Blanc 4807 metres. Couldn't see a thing! Love the cheap "scout shop" waterproofs and the lack of helmets and harnesses. Joined together by a simple bowline around the waist. Our ice axes were cheap, old and wooden with a small, straight pick. We survived though, possibly because summer alpine snow conditions were safer than these days. Good times.

4 mountaineers stand on the summit of Mont Blanc in the Alps, in thick fog, surrounded by snow
4 mountaineers stand on the summit of Mont Blanc in the Alps, in thick fog, surrounded by snow

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A beautiful hike today, closer to home and at lower level. From the Beznar dam down the Rio Izbor to the village of Izbor and then back uphill for a couple of cold beers in Pinos de Valle. Part of this route forms the long distance path called "Ruta Boabdil", in the Lecrin Valley area, south of Granada

People entering the spanish village of Izbor in southern Spain
People entering the spanish village of Izbor in southern Spain
People hiking along 
a track to a house, Spain
People hiking along a track to a house, Spain
People walking along a wooded track
People walking along a wooded track
Hikers negotiating a way alongside a river. Blue skies above
Hikers negotiating a way alongside a river. Blue skies above

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Sat in the middle of the road eating our lunch under the shade of the olive and lemon trees.


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Been out hiking this afternoon in a new area (for me). The Sierra Arana north of Granada has some superb, quiet mountain and forest scenery.

A path leads towards some distant mountains framed by two large trees
A path leads towards some distant mountains framed by two large trees

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The main ridge of Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains from Alcazaba on the left, over Mulhacén to Veleta on the right. A fantastic high level ridge constantly above 3000m altitude. Mountaineering in winter and alpine trekking in summer. I guess you could call this my back garden?

A distant view towards some snow covered mountains. I the foreground some rocks and shrubs
A distant view towards some snow covered mountains. I the foreground some rocks and shrubs

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3 day winter course for 6 members from Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. Skills that are needed out in winter mountains. Apart from the usual techniques we are adding the use of snowshoes, snow belays for lowering stretchers, avalanche awareness & probing for people stuck under the snow following an avalanche. On going training is essential for these mountain heroes, if you would like to donate, link to their website is here dwmrt.ie/

Training for Mountain Rescue Teams. People walking up and sliding down a snow slope
Training for Mountain Rescue Teams. People walking up and sliding down a snow slope
Mountain Rescue team members training in the snow with helmets and crampons
Mountain Rescue team members training in the snow with helmets and crampons

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Redoing my so it can be pinned to profile. Here goes ...

Hi I'm Richard, retired adventurer/author living in with his . Made in , part Scot. Love the especially the , &

Hobbies include and playing around with websites

Bit of a grumpy old man especially with regard to , and issues. El Perro Negro named after my first dog


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Sad news that Tamara, a lynx released at the beginning of March in the Sierra Arana north of Granada, was found run over.

It is one of 3 lynxes that were reintroduced on March 3. This is the third lynx that has died in a little over a month, as a first was killed by a car and another by an attack by two dogs.

Plans are being made to install "virtual" fencing alongside busy roads in the area and increased driver signage. Link in Spanish.


granadahoy.com/provincia/Encue


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Am I the only one who always has a few pieces left after an Ikea build?


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This says it all about today. Warm sunshine and a beautiful isolated mountain summit with superb views and good friends. I could have stayed here for hours enjoying the peace and tranquility.

People sitting on a mountain summit with distant views to a snow clad mountain range.
People sitting on a mountain summit with distant views to a snow clad mountain range.

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Late afternoon sun on the dramatic northern faces of the Sierra Nevada. Alcazaba, Mulhacen, Veleta and Puntal de la Caldera looking spectacular.
This is definitely "alpine" terrain, even in this relatively poor snow year and it's sometimes hard to believe that this is southern Spain!

The peak of Puntal de la Caldera, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow
The peak of Puntal de la Caldera, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow
The peak of Alcazaba, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow
The peak of Alcazaba, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow
The peak of Veleta, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow. Late afternoon sunlight shines to the right
The peak of Veleta, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow. Late afternoon sunlight shines to the right
The peak of Mulhacen, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow with late afternoon sunlight hitting the upper part of the mountain
The peak of Mulhacen, a steep northern mountain face covered in snow with late afternoon sunlight hitting the upper part of the mountain

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Yesterday afternoon the mountains called & I just had to go up into their lofty realms to spend a couple of hours in their exalted company watching the shadows lengthen & colours deepen.

Time to escape the rat race, internet, politics & sport. Instead, time now for inward reflection & quiet contemplation, amid all this natural scenic beauty. And especially, to think of loved ones struggling through tough times.

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Low winter sun colours on a mountainside with snow clad mountains at the back
Low winter sun colours on a mountainside with snow clad mountains at the back

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Eventually the light faded and the sun dropped low over the Vega de Granada. The last rays of light left the summits of the Sierra Nevada. Soul refreshed, it was time to head home.

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Oh what a beautiful morning. Have a great Sunday you Mastodon tooters!

Image of the Andalucian town of Lanjarón y the prominent cliffs opposite, called the Tajos Colorao

To the right the spanish town of Lanjaron perched on the hillside. To the left are some shadowed cliffs. Behind a bright blue morning sky
To the right the spanish town of Lanjaron perched on the hillside. To the left are some shadowed cliffs. Behind a bright blue morning sky

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Spring has definitely arrived in southern Spain. Even where I live, at 700 metres of altitude, it's 26c+ this afternoon. Here's an image of our Siberian Husky, Arko enjoying the dog walk this morning before it got too hot for him.

A Siberian Husky dog with blue eyes walking along a dirt road, blue sky behind
A Siberian Husky dog with blue eyes walking along a dirt road, blue sky behind

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