Ouch!

Well now, that's the retractable lead consigned to the drawer!
Took Ellie out for her afternoon walk. Now anyone in the UK will know that today the weather is dreadful, with high wind and teaming rain. But she still needs her exercise come rain or shine.
The wagon way was deserted, albeit for one little bird..... A fact that hadn't escaped Ellie's attention! She had about half of the lead to run (it's 5 meters long), this didn't give me any time to think "let go of the lead". She was off like a bullet after the bird and I was 'down' like a ton of bricks.
Now the wagon way is a gravel path, and my right knee and hands took most of the impact. Ripped jeans and mud from head to toe!
So I hobbled home (so pleased that it was raining so there was no one there to see my walk of shame, I was in a right mess).
I am currently posting this from my bed, with an extremely painful and bloodied knee.
So its back to using the Dalmatian Welfare Harness for the time being.
I don't blame Ellie at all for today though, retractable leads really are no good for training, as she obviously won't know how much lead she has at any given time.
A valuable lesson painfully learned!