Flying solo

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

Hopefully the last band of rain has cleared [everywhere except North-East Scotland] and we can all enjoy the Big Yellow Ball today.
It's a shame that neither Joeyjimbles nor Satchmo would have managed to spot any meteors the night before though.

Am parked beneath some very tall trees so Solar Panel isn't charging much, but we'll be heading out to a sunny spot this afternoon when Divo Four gets back from work - hopefully that will top it up enough to keep lights and lappies happy.

Haven't said much about CD recently, so guess it's time for an update: It's been nine days now since she finished her antibiotics, with no sign of the worrying symptoms returning - in fact CD is noticeably chirpier and waggier each day which is wonderful to see.
Yesterday we stopped off at one of the walks where I regularly used to take CD when the other three - four counting DH - were still with us, and as usual she spent a minute sniffing the air and walking a slow circle around the car park before setting off along the trail at a trot, stern waving happily as she negotiated a bridge then turned into the wood on exactly the right path. Muggins was trailing behind, fumbling with lead and supply of poo-bags, so had to yell at CD to wait for me please! ..Which she did, wearing her big toothy snow-dog grin. :rotfl:
One thing we are arguing about is CD's dinner; having spent weeks cooking up tempting stews and meaty soups for her, she now refuses to touch any 'raw' food except sardines (technically those aren't actually raw, of course)! :mad:
CD's teeth are suffering; starting to look rather brown, but she isn't going to like the remedy - having them brushed by yours truly (not had the courage to get further than buying a toothbrush for her yet). Can't say am looking forward to the next stage..
While we were in Wales CD also became adept at removing her doses of GP from within the rolls of ham bought especially to disguise 'em; solution is to stuff the pills straight down her throat and then give her a few slices of meat which CD seems quite happy about, swallowing the GP without fuss. Muggins gets dog-slobbery hands of course, which ain't so nice..

Chev - think the local Freecyc!e group has suffered a schism and there are now two, which caused m' confusion. At any rate, I managed to re-home a couple of items yesterday although not through the group I've used before.
Lucky - don't blame you for not trying to negotiate the cumbersome Yah00 system FC is based on, have decided to defect to the local FB free / sales site m' self as it's a darned sight easier to use!

Spends:
Magnesium, Selenium & Milk Thistle supplements [for me] - £37

joeyjimbles

Thanks for your thoughts re meteors but I'm in the top of the North West, just below Scotland, and had I been able to keep my eyes open then I could have seen them as several friends have reported. Only on the first night though, we had rain the second night. Sadly, I planned to go out and watch - reclining chair and blanket put ready - but OH and DS2 were away, and DS1 and I spent the evening playing Wii games and eating pizza (and some wine for me), and I went to bed early to enjoy the whole bed to myself and completely forgot! Was so cross with myself the next morning, but the sleep was worth it really.

missrlr

Hello, sounds like a minefield with FB and FC. Have to say I didnt have any meteor visions as I was so tired I was in bed.
Glad to hear CD is improving. Doglet was enthusiastically munch the GP with his cooked chicken but now has decided to refuse it. So I make a "gravy" of GP warm water and some water from cooking chicken then add chicken to it swill it around. Fooled him for a few meals now am also getting dog slobber on my hands too.
Hope home home repairs progress well. And the solar panels continue to perform well.

satchmo1

Sadly there was too much cloud cover to spot any further celestial showboating, bah!


However, DH and I spent a lovely afternoon at a local Wetlands and Wildfowl place called Martin Mere, spotting over 2 dozen wildfowl plus otters. A toddler ran into me and nearly had me in the water at one point, causing his father a rather red face but I thought it was funny. The flamingos are surprisingly aggressive to each other. I got a great close-up photograph of a grey crane. I guess the resident birds are accustomed to people being in close proximity.

*Robin*

Dear Diary and MSEers, :hello:

Oh well, Joey, Missrlr and Satchmo - the Perseids will be back next year!

Joey - an evening of quality time with your DS is a very good excuse for forgetting to go out and search for few-and-far-between meteors - don't think anyone in the UK spotted many this year anyway..

Missrlr - I've started adding GP to CD's gravy too; reckon we'll both do best using sneaky mix n' match methods with our four-legged friends.. Change tactic every few days until they realise what's going on, haha.

Satchmo - sounds like you had a great excursion, just the sort of thing I would enjoy too - especially seeing otters in the wild! Am glad you didn't end up in the drink though - why don't people use reins to keep their unruly toddlers in check any more? ..I'd have been tempted to offer the Dad a spare dog-lead!

It's been a funny kind of day here.. First of all sold a couple of things we'll never use again, netting a tenner - jolly good, gained some much needed space in m' garage.
Then CD finally met someone who didn't fall instantly in love with her; Favourite Niece's BF. As they'd invited us to dinner it was a little awkward to discover at the last minute that she wasn't permitted in their new home; they, us and the other dinner guests gathered in the car park - where everyone except BF made a great fuss of CD while I explained that I would not be going inside without her - not negotiable.
BF was nonplussed, but let me lead CD away..
Had rather been looking forward to a decent meal - fasted yesterday in preparation - so CD and I repaired to a local pub where she is welcome and we both enjoyed a roast dinner (CD ate the roast beef and sausages, I had the veggies which included cauliflower cheese - we were both satisfied ). Spent the profit made earlier. :rotfl:
It was a little galling to miss out on a blackberry & apple crumble we'd contributed to FN & BF's meal, especially when I learned DS4 didn't get any either because the others gobbled up the whole dish-full so fast, but so it goes; don't regret sticking to m' principles (certainly didn't want to risk CD trying to chew her way out of camper-van again, which she almost certainly would have done if left by herself for hours!).
FN did give DS a cupcake for me which was sweet of her.

satchmo1

How very rude to not ensure that everyone at the table got pudding! Especially after barring you from the house by BF's 'principles'. Clearly they don't operate on the principle of good manners.


By coincidence, I also made fruit crumble, using a too-tart orange and a not-yet-ripe nectarine. It was a big hit, with leftovers for tonight.

*Robin*

Dear Diary and Friends-in-the-Box, :hello:

satchmo1 wrote: »

How very rude to not ensure that everyone at the table got pudding! Especially after barring you from the house by BF's 'principles'. Clearly they don't operate on the principle of good manners.

Mmm. Divo Four returned saying he really couldn't be bothered with any more 'family reunions' like that! Must say am in agreement; would far rather choose our 'tribal-family' from among m' friends (who usually behave much better..). :cool:

satchmo1 wrote: »

By coincidence, I also made fruit crumble, using a too-tart orange and a not-yet-ripe nectarine. It was a big hit, with leftovers for tonight.

..Sounds yummy - and I bet you ensure that everyone gets a portion!

Am having a quiet morning because: A) DS4 accidentally took the garage key away with him when he went to a meeting at college first thing. For some reason our internet dongle has only just decided to work properly. C) Am going out to the theatre tonight with one of my best, oldest friends - because it's my birthday!

..Just spent a confusing hour perusing the sheaf of documents which were provided with camper-van, in hope of working out how to switch on the immersion heater when not powered by gas - usually make do with kettles of hot water for daily washing, but in honour of m' special day I want to have a proper shower (without driving to a paying camp site in order to use their facilities). Have achieved two promising lit indicators on the control panel, now have to wait half an hour to see whether they give the result am hoping for.. Teehee.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Happy Birthday Robin :bdaycake::bdaycake:. Hope this cake makes up for lack of pud last night!!

Have a fab time at the theatre Xx

Brightspark87

the roast for you both sounds lovely and I hope you enjoyed it - well done on the clear out even if you do not make lots of money I find it very freeing!

Most importantly HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :beer::beer:xx

satchmo1

Happy birthday, Robin! Have a lovely evening at the theatre (and I hope you managed a steaming hot shower).