2
but not really. I opened the box this a.m. , slightly peeved at life, and was about to yell at the postmaster about over stuffing my box. Smalltown USA here... the postmaster is an old friend from back in the day so his remark of "You'll manage...deal with it" met my stare down and forced a schoolboy grin on my face. Recognizing "Royal Mail" stamping I calmed a bit and gingerly tugged and twisted the package free (which under the circumstances I'm living was the equivalent of a 5 year old ripping Christmas presents open ). Scurrying my butt back across the street to open the package from Pete at Hogans Castings... Other than the Leatherman used to open it...wasn't much different than Christmas' of yore.
with raised eyebrows at the very well packed shipping envelope ... 1 , 2 ...3? I'd forgotten what Pete had offered? Old age I guess they say the body starts to go first... mind is on it's way too 
Carefully executing the cut across the tops of the netted bubble wrap... the SkittyBlacktail landed first. Gorgeous!
Can a basic black s'shot be termed "Gorgeous"? I do believe so.
The 2nd package revealed a surprise to me...check it!
Immortalized in metal...there I be!
Exxxxxxcellent! They both feel and handle as the original with a bit of welcome weight. Most magnificent work from Hogans Castings! Haven't banded them up - will be awhile I'm afraid, but will be 1st on my list as soon as I can.
Oh and ...Welcome Home my world travelling SkittyBaby
<sigh> Thanks Pete! We need to settle up, drop me a line please?
