Flying solo

Dansmam

Hehe to the itinerary, should have explained, they were saying their farewells to friends and family in random places before setting off. And they wanted to avoid Calais. They have a large map book and the goodbye present from dd work was a satnav, so they really have no excuse if they get lost!

missrlr

Ha, it's not the dogs it's the beeeeep owners. If you bring 'em up right they are fine dogs and children.

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSEers, :hello:

Quite agree Sparky and Missrlr; it's not the dogs' fault how they're brought up, but once their characters have been twisted there is such a terrible potential for disaster that I do believe all responsible dog owners who recognise such animals have a duty to try and prevent trouble where possible.
Yesterday morning I took CD around one end of the estate. She was quite happy to walk on those roads so I guess that narrows down the likely place of residence of this pack.
Still, it's not really my business or major concern atm. The owners obviously keep their dogs off the streets during daylight hours when other residents are likely to be out and about, so CD will just have to accept that she can't enjoy the night and early morning air until we move to a friendlier, more rural location.

After taking CD out I succumbed to a migraine attack; none of m' tasks got done - DS4 was very disappointed with me when he got back from visiting DSD2.
Truth is, I overdid it the day before; made DR a proper Sunday dinner which - being somewhat ocd where food hygiene is concerned - involved me scrubbing all the parts of his kitchen I wanted to use before I could start cooking. DR was pleased though, and got on with sorting out his paperwork - staying out of my way, lol - while I was doing it.

DS4 was right to chide me on his return; far too much of m' time is being taken up with DR - haven't even started on sorting out DH's flat, or got as far as I should have by now with maintenance at homehome.

Dansmam - glad there was a good explanation for DD's odd route! ..Hope she doesn't rely too much on the satnav though - mine has tried to send me down some ridiculously tiny lanes just because it's technically a shorter route, ignoring the fact that major roads are much easier and quicker in a van. It really gets it's knickers in a twist at times when I know better and ignore it's instructions!

No spends due to sleeping most of the day yesterday.

missrlr

Ah sat navs try quickest not shortest
Yes I think they were being responsible sort of, with the dog walking at less busy hours, but just muzzle the things or train them properly. As a staffy and former American pitbull (when in Ameerica) owner it's just muzzle them in public then NO questions can arise

*Robin*

Good morning Diary and Friends-in-the-Box, :hello:

Madam got me up two and a half hours ago. Can't get back to sleep sooo..
We have moved. Swapped the edge of a housing estate for the back of a pub. The patrons were roistering until almost three ayem (on a Tuesday night?). Will have to pay for such a short sleep later; so it goes..

Missrlr am going to try buying truckers' maps for m' satnav, if the company will let me.

Quite agree all owners of erm, 'less well brought up dogs' shall we say, whatever the breed, should walk 'em with muzzles and leads.. The four dogs I was talking about, what concerned me most was the attitude of the female with 'em; foul-mouthed self-entitled low-life would be a fair description. At least the bloke was polite.

I remember when the Law re "dangerous dogs" changed here. Not long after, I took the younger boys and a couple of foster-siblings out to Spain for a couple of weeks - think it must have been when the bigger ones were doing their IB exams (to remove the distraction of youngsters disturbing revision). Our dogs stayed at homehome but a mate's Briard [French shepherd-dog] boarded with us while her owner visited his parents. One day I took this dog and the kids to play with a young friend who lived in Spain full-time.
Everyone was enjoying themselves; kids mucking about in a sand-pit and me chatting with Mum, when suddenly loud swearing was heard from the house next door, followed by a yell of:
"Don't worry, he's wearing his muzzle!"
In response the boy we were visiting gave a sort of scream then shouted to the other kids:
"Run! Get up a tree!" His fear was so obvious that all the children scattered at once, just before a brindle pitbull hurtled round the corner. It launched itself at the unsuspecting Briard, knocking the poor dog right off her legs, then did it's best to savage her despite the muzzle! Bella staggered to her feet and came towards us adults while the snarling pitbull kept trying to bite her and push her over again.
Our hostess ran into the house, slamming the door behind her while I just stood there calling the Briard, aware of all the kids climbing olive trees as fast as they could!
Thankfully the bloke from next door arrived at that point and got a choke-chain around the pitbull's neck and another lead clipped to it's harness, pulling it away from poor terrified - bruised but otherwise unharmed - Bella.
Once he'd locked the dog back in it's cage the neighbour returned, apologising profusely, explaining that it was his half-brother's 'protection' which had been moved from Lambeth to Spain to avoid the new UK Laws. He was obviously very unhappy about being lumbered with responsibility for this trained fighting beast, and I heard later that soon after this incident he'd done the right thing - taken the dog on a one-way trip to the vet.
Sad. But sensible for everyone's safety.

Do realise not all pitbulls are like that; one of my college mates married an American Airman and moved over there, she often posts 'photos on FB of her grandchildren cuddling their three pitbulls who are obviously completely different characters (she calls her dogs 'super-nannies' ).

Anyway. DS4 went shopping yesterday, came back with an odd selection - looked to me like elements for several different meals which I struggled to make sense of. We ended up dining on home-made tomato soup and scrambled eggs on toast, followed by raspberries and an 'energy bar' each.
(Gas turned off immediately cooking was done - GE has quite a long queue but assured me over the 'phone that he's sure we won't blow ourselves up if we don't leave the supply on when not using it :cool:).

DR's birthday present arrived - looks great!
While admiring it, I left CD alone in the van and she tried to eat her way out again aaargh! :mad:
Retaliated by ordering a replacement crate - can't have her trashing our temporary home every time I have to step outside without her! The local dog-rescue folk will be happy to receive it as a donation later on, but meanwhile it will help to minimise repair bills on campervan's doors and windows..

Spends:
Groceries - £25
Dog crate - £32

missrlr

Oh dear CD, I know how disturbing this will be to you but eating home? This does not have a good long term outcome!

Time to find a quiet spot somewhere not near a pub fir a few nights to permit you to get on with The List?

I struggle on, work is difficult in fact horrid. Life here is a seemingly never ending circle of to do and must do. Time for Doglet cuddles

Brightspark87

Poor CD - she shouldn't be trying to eat her way out! I hope the crate proves a useful purchase and you are both comfortable and happy (and DS4 too of course!) xx

*Robin*

missrlr wrote: »

Time to find a quiet spot somewhere not near a pub fir a few nights to permit you to get on with The List?

Great advice which we have taken, Missrlr - Divo Four and self snapped at the same moment; decided to save our sanity by running away to the sea-side!

School holidays have already started so it's packed, no room on any camp sites but that's where a van really comes into it's own (friendly locals showed us a quiet corner for 'wild camping' ).

CD is getting tons of attention from kids - am impressed by how many come and ask first whether they're allowed to pet her. :T

She and I enjoyed a looong walk on the beach today, Divo Four took a dip in the North Sea - a very brief dip - which he didn't enjoy so much! :rotfl:

missrlr wrote: »

I struggle on, work is difficult in fact horrid. Life here is a seemingly never ending circle of to do and must do. Time for Doglet cuddles

Yes, cuddle dog and look forward to the life-changing day - thinking of you, sending positive vibes.. Be strong, it will all end up ok..

Sparky - CD hasn't seen the crate yet.. She doesn't know what's coming!

Short update due to lack of lappy charging facilities - love to everyone!

*Robin*

Another quick post just to note spends:

Supplements n' pills for all of us - £30
Fuel - £50
Sea-side spends inc groceries - £50
Educational visit to Bronze Age site - £28
Vet - £73 [:(]

missrlr

Oh Robin, why the vet spends?
Also for goodness sake North Sea swimming? Really?
Another week at work done, too many left for my liking but hey we shall see. Only been threatened and bullied again.