Back again

After a very long time, today saw our return to Blickling. Honestly, it’s been months since we were last there. It was also Bert’s first visit! It was so good to catch up with Katie and Archie too. We talked the whole way round.

It was glorious weather too. This photo made me laugh, it looks like Archie and Buddy have had words.

Having ridden for nearly 1.5 hours, I took Bert for a run around. We had our first recall fail when Bert decided that another spaniel was far more fun than Mummy. Thankfully, said spaniel was very happy to play and the owners were incredibly understanding. They said they remembered those moments well.

There were lots of positives though. Bert waited in the lorry while I rode. He ignored several other dogs. And he did come back after he’d played. He clearly has the same love of Blickling that I have…

Returns

The Dark Destroyer strikes again! I bought Bert a new car bed as he’s starting to outgrow the car crate. This is one of those fluffy ones that goes on the seat and they clip into it.

This is what is left of the box it came in. He had so much fun destroying it! Let’s hope I don’t need to return it…

And he doesn’t destroy the new bed! We’ll road test it tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Dimness

I was a bit scratchy today. It’s Tax Return time. Enough said huh?!

Honestly, I’m nearly 55. I should be able to do my return without a borderline panic attack. The joys of 30 years of PAYE and someone doing it for me. I think it’s the way the questions are written. I haven’t got a clue what they’re asking most of the time.

Anyway I did as much as I could (yes I phoned a friend who’s helping tomorrow) and headed to the yard for some much needed Buddy time. Bert has had to take centre stage so Buddy and the kittens have been supporting players recently. It felt good to get out on Buddy.

On my way back, I stopped at the garage to get my headlight sorted. I let them know that Bert was in the car. He had 5 people wanting to meet him and have cuddles. See, centre stage.

They all commented on how handsome he is and how calm. He wasn’t so calm this evening as he was tearing round my office and chewing my blanket. The former makes me laugh, the later made me cry.

It’s not damaged but it is the blanket I was given by my Nanna. It belonged to my Grampy. The man Bert is named after. I know it’s just a blanket, but the connection to my Mum kinda hit me. Lots of tears from me. I guess it’s going to happen. Grief is a very tricky path to navigate sometimes. But like HMRC!

Scar face

It’s been a bit of a worrying time for me this weekend. Dodo went missing for over 48 hours. He missed 4 meals!! Hugo is known to wander, not for any length of time though. But Dodo rarely does. So it was very out of character for him.

I’d been out looking for him. But as I hadn’t been at home the whole weekend, I’d hoped I’d just missed him. But when he didn’t return for dinner last night, I started to fear the worst.

I was woken at 3:40am by a very little voice on the bed. He was very timid, tired and thin. Goodness knows where he’d been. After giving him some food (Hugo was rather happy about extra food), we all headed back to bed.

I woke up feeling rather rubbish. Pounding headache and thick head. So back to bed I went. Dodo joined me for more cuddles. Trust me to be ill when the builders are in next door. Lots of sawing and banging. Still I think we both needed the sleep.

Poor Dodo has a big gash on his face. I’m guessing he got into a fight and either ran or was chased off. He might have gotten himself stuck somewhere too. Who knows?! I’m so relieved he’s home. He’s very happy to be home too.

He’s barely left my side all day. My little purr monster is returning. Let’s hope normal service is returning for me too. Early night for us both me thinks.

Swallows

“One swallow does not a summer make…..” Well these two must be wondering what the hell they’ve arrived back to!!

You can just imagine the arguments: “I told you we should have stayed another week…”

It’s always a wonderful sight when the swallows return. Let’s hope warmer weather makes a return too.