Wee Bens Come to Visit

Its been a very quick weekend - mostly due to the arrival of Wee Ben who is going to be staying with us for a few days. My sisters family are taking her MIL up to Brechin for a few days and, owing to covid and everyone waiting to staycation, were unable to get a place that would allow dogs.

I'm working from home full time at the moment so I volunteered to have him. As a thank you, my BIL was round yesterday doing maintenance on some of my windows and the doors (I can now open and unlock the front door without aggressively wiggling the handle, so a definite win for me, though I regret not having it sorted sooner!). Him to-ing and fro-ing and a few dog walks completely filled in my Saturday.

Wont lie, last night was a bit of a challenge - he has seperation anxiety and my hope that Missy being dowstairs with him would mean that he would sleep fine down there didnt prove true. We persisted to ignore the barking and scratching at the bedroom door for an hour (and four trips to return him to his crate) before conceding defeat and putting his crate in our room. Which meant we also had to bring in Missys bed too. I'm a ridiculously light sleeper, so two dogs randomly shaking and turning around just served to keep me up most of the night.

That meant todays plan was to make sure I wore off his little socks so he might give sleeping downstairs a chance (will update you all on the success/failure of that next week!). I'd already organised a girls get together in Perth so Ben got to be an honorary girl for the day. I will say though, an extra dog is a lot of work and it took me ages this morning getting them both organised (thankfully Missys old harness fitted him, or we'd have had to brave putting him alone in the boot) and just simple things like having them both clipped into the car was suddenly a time consuming task.

It was the usual tag team of Brewdog followed by the Brew and Chew with a walk along North Inch in between and South Inch before going home. Missy was on top behaviour, which she is prone to do when with another dog. She's learned somewhere along the way that she gets far more attention by showing up her canine companions than trying to be naughty! For that I am very glad!

The three of us all took turns walking the different dogs and I think I may have convinced one of my friends that she really needs one in her life! It was a really nice day with a lot of chatting, good food (and glorious cake) and nice walking in the good weather. I couldnt have asked for a nicer day.

Both dogs are snoring now - so my objective of wearing them out seems to have been a success! 

Travelling in Time

 

Life is finally feeling like its going back to normal as this weekend saw the first outdoor event of the year - Travelling in Time at Duncarron Medieval Village. Ironically, the last outdoor event we got to was also at Duncarron and was the Viking and Saxon event.

I saw the event, spanning from 1600s to WW2 advertised online, and put out an open invite to the family - my mum was the first to volunteer to join me for the day. My older sister and older niece and nephew decided they would come too, but I wasn't to expect them until later in the day - the difference between her and myself can sometimes really astound me, I was legitimately there for the event opening. One of the bonuses of arriving so early was that there was plenty of time to talk to all the volunteers doing the re-enactments - we were even invited into the Soviet WW2 camp to get some nice photos with Missy! My Rosie the Riveter outfit also got a lot of compliments (which is funny as my mum clearly thought I was bonkers for getting dressed up, then once she realised that lots of the public had also dressed up, was telling anyone who spoke to us that I'd made my outfit myself!).

Firstly, we were lucky with the weather. Dry, but overcast so we didn't burn. Mild, but not too hot. Perfect for a day trip! The event itself was very well organised. Numbers were capped owing to covid, so even at the peak point of the day, it didn't feel particularly busy - but there was still enough people that it felt like an event. There was a central area where there was amongst other things, musket demonstrations, combat demonstrations and story telling. In all the tents, various people from throughout time were displaying their skills and professions - we learned about heraldry, saw a demonstration on Viking coin making and then spoke to a saxon taxman (cue the theatrical hissing).

There was a variety of stalls too; the dress up tent was very popular and we all did that once my sister and co arrived, there was a tent selling period footwear (my mother bought some historian boots and I very nearly took away a pair or beautiful green court shoes, but decided against them as I don't need more excuses for more sewing projects!). Talking of sewing, there was a fabric stall (I was good and only bought 3m of a beautiful herringbone wool), a leatherwork stall; buttons and jewellery and beads. All sorts of lovely things! Oh, and Bacon and Maple Jam - I was under orders from hubby to get another jar if the same folk from the Viking event were there! (and yes, I did get a jar, as well as a Rum Marmalade, hubby is happy).

Axe throwing and Archery were also available to try. The chap doing the axe throwing was brilliant, and after some coaching, managed to land and stick the axe on my third attempt (he joined me in my little victory jump!). I'll confess that I was more confident in the archery having had a lesson before, until I was handed a longbow. It clearly wasn't a real longbow as I managed to successfully draw the string correctly (the strength required on a real on is insane) and landed all three arrows on the target. Yes. I was rather smug about that, but my nephew stuck his second axe, and I had to win at something!

One of the nice things about these events is that they are super dog friendly. Missy was not left out at all. She was greeted by all the volunteers (who didn't bat an eyelid when I asked if they would pose with her for me) and other visitors. I always enjoy meeting other dog owners at these things to gush about how nice it is that the fur babies are welcome. Although I was concerned about Missy being stolen by a Saxon volunteer who was helping at the archery - she insisted she hold Missy for me whilst I was taking photos of the family. A quick glance and she was sat with Missy giving her all the cuddles and attention! A truly lovely day.

I'll part with one of my favourite moments, which was a passing conversation with the boy helping at the axe throwing;

Saxon Boy - "Is she friendly?"

Me - "Of course, your more than welcome to say hi to her - her names Missy."

Saxon Boy - (immediately on his knees giving her ear rubs and kisses) "What breed is she?"

Me - "She's a rescue, so we dont know - but I'm always open to guesses!"

Saxon Boy - "Jack Russel and something big, she looks a bit like a rottie or doberman, but that's too big."

Me - (stunned at Jack Russel, but thinking it would explain her murderous streak at small animals) "A lot of people guess Rottie and Collie."

Saxon Boy - (shrugs and skips to his feet). "Well, it don't matter, I think she's beautiful as she is." (skips away without a backwards glance).

Gotta admit, that warmed my soul quite a bit. Though I think the compliments have gotten to Missys head - she looks a little too comfortable in the Chieftains chair, don't you think?!

A Welsh Getaway

It's the moment we've been waiting for - our first real getaway of the year and my first holiday in Wales!

But let's rewind a little. 

So last year, mid pandemic, my sister was supposed to go to Wales. It was obviously cancelled and (mostly I suspect so they could keep the cash) she was offered a upgrade very cheaply to move the booking to 2021. Said upgrade meant an extra room and a dog friendly option and so we were invited to help with the child wrangling and have a proper chance to hang out and catch up (within guidelines, of course).

Sunday we commenced the 6 hour drive. Missy has recently been upgraded from travelling in the boot to on the back seats these days (safely harnessed, of course). With the heat, that was definitely a good idea as she got to enjoy the AC with us and we started our road trip.

Our main stop on the way down was a small detour to the Wirral

Ren is going to be a big brother to a baby of the human variety, so we were excited to see my friend. Owing to her being pregnant, we kept it very covid safe and stayed outside (thankfully the good weather made that a pleasant experience!). After a nice walk, we were back in the car ready to surprise our neice and nephew (7 and 4).

Llamagedon had begun!

Neice and nephew had figured out we were coming to surprise them, so we had to up our game and launched the alpacalypse for them to wake up to. Needless to say, I think my sister was the most smitten of them all!

Monday was spent enjoying the park facilities. We took neice and nephew swimming whilst Missy got to spend quality time with her aunt and uncle. The evening was rounded up with a good run around on the beach for Missy.

Not a bad first day to ease into things!

Tuesday had been earmarked as a big adventure - tiny trains at Llanberis Railway. Due to Covid they aren't operating the usual hop-on-hop-off, so we had prebooked a coach in advance. On the train ride we clocked a castle in the distance and decided that, after lunch, we'd go for a walk and check it out.

Dolbadarn Castle was an unexpected hidden gem. We had spotted the sign for the castle walk in the car park and decided that a nice stroll in the woodlands was just what we needed. Imagine our surprise when 5 minutes later we found the castle - our earlier sighting was less a castle far in the distance, and more a very small castle in the relatively near distance! 

The kids enjoyed both parts of the day, so I chalk that as a good success! 

Wednesday we took to ourselves as a doggy day. The weather, whilst still very warm, was damp and less sunny, which suited us all better.

I had scoped out Coed Y Brenin before the trip. Part of the Snowdonia National Park, it offered a chance to see some stunning scenery whilst staying in a clearly marked path. We did the red Cain Waterfall walk which, at two hours, was ideal. It was listed as "strenuous" on the board, and I agreed with the description as we climbed up steep slopes and scurried down shale paths.

Afterwards we enjoyed a well deserved cup of tea and some cakes in the cafe. A glorious way to spend a morning. 

We went dragon racing in the afternoon. Our red dragon against my sisters green dragon. My sister can be a little anxious about water, but we managed to talk her into it. The kids had little life preservers, so everyone was quite safe as we set off. 

Missy was quite happy to sit and keep watch for pirates and other dragons. 

There was a bit of drama we had to tow another family off the edge who had managed to beach themselves! 

Our last big adventure was another family day out at Sygun Copper Mine. In preparation for a dark and scary walk, we put Missy in her bright coat and I gave both the kids a torch each. Missy originally took the lead but was defeated by the steep metal stairs mid way through. Hubby resorted to carrying her up and she sulkily conceded defeat. 

There was well deserved Cornish Pasties and tea in the cafe at the end. 

We finished the day with a mooch around Porthmadog and all tried our best to delay the inevitable about the fact that the holiday was over.

A tremendously good week, and we're already putting plans together for another cross over holiday next year. 

Mimi up or Down?

Yesterday was National Dog Friendly Day and that meant that Missy and I just had to go out somewhere. Hubby's shifts, and other commitments of friends, meant it was a solo adventure for just us girls. So what did we do? Went and found something really girly to look at!

Jupiter Artland Officially unveiled its latest art piece: Rachel Macleans "upside Mimi Mimi Down" (with the Mimi down being upside down, curse the limited font options!). I'll be honest in that I hadn't read about it (I like to see an art peice and come to my own conclusion before seeing what the artist was aiming for) but had seen photos of a brightly coloured cartoon, banks of pink and blue doll boxes and, on the outside, an upside down toy shop. Looked awesome, right? 

I should have read about it. 

It's tucked away in a tiny woodland cluster and, after getting some shots of Missy chilling at the poolside (such a difference the sun coming out made to the colours!), I asked for directions and was told that a lot of people were really mixed about it. 

Huh, OK. Was I interested in going to the 2pm talk about body dismorphia and suicide? Oh, uh, I have a fence getting fitted, I only have an hour, but thank you all the same.

Dont get me wrong, I know people who are trans, who have had eating disorders, who have thought about and even tried to commit suicide, it's a subject that's important to me, I just genuinely didn't have time. And they were unsure about Missy going and it was already 20C, so absolutely no way was she being left in the car. 

Shrugging it off as a pandemic induced discussion, I went on my way and found an avenue of little hearts set into the ground. Perfect. Girly. Cutsie. Just what I wanted for some sweet photos.

We skipped up the path of pink hearts and found a sign, stating that the video contained upsetting scenes and strobe lights. Oh. But... Oh. Suddenly that invite made sense. I looked up what was now a foreboding path to the little shop. 

There was a lady in a Jupiter Artland poloshirt enjoying the sun by the door. I was given the same warning as the sign and, after being told Missy was allowed in, I donned my mask and crept into the strange little store... 

And lasted long enough to get the photo shown below. 

So, was it the subject matter? No. It was certainly uncomfortable to watch, but I'd seen similar art house things. Was it the strobing lights? Nope. Did Missy not like it? She wasn't happy about the stone floor, but nope. Alas, my clown phobia kicked in. Mimi is a puppet like Punch and Judy. I was in a room, full of said doll, one half garish and brightly coloured, the other burned away, black and white, gnarled and witch like. There she was, an on screen giant before me.

I looked at Missy who wagged her tail and whined for a treat, clearly indicating that she was not amused at the situation and required bribery if I wished to stay.

We left. 

I intend to watch the video on my next visit, but will do so from the outside and through the window. At that point however I made polite niceties, completely blamed Missy on why I hadn't stayed, and booked it out of there.

I decided to cheer myself up by looking at the crying girl statues:

So, yeah. When I say phobia, I mean that clowns make me inherently uncomfortable. I can watch them at the circus (albeit well away from ringside) but all the comedy is marred by my own unease at thier being there. I'll be honest, I haven't watched IT, purely because I don't want to make my phobia worse. 

Still, that was unlike me. I though about the run up to going in, the weird "lots of people are mixed about it", the content of the lecture, the warnings, the repeated warnings. No wonder I was anxious before I even went in! 

Next time, Mimi, I get you next time.

We finished the walk in the sunshine and, deciding it was getting too hot for Missy, I made my way to the car. I got a message saying the fence was about done and made my way home. I won't share photos of it, but I absolutely love the new fence/driveway gates. It completely cheered me up and, after much profuse thank yous to the workmen, I went to the back garden, enjoyed my new privacy and repotted almost 100 tomato plants.

Anyone want a tomato plant? 

We had friends over for homemade pizza that evening, Missy was given all the cuddles for the "scary dollies" and we all had a good laugh. And today, my mum popped round and I did some sewing jobs for her before we enjoyed another glorious day in the garden.

Creepy dolls aside, it's been a good weekend. And I'm feeling more confident in the world and my future adventures.

A Busy Weekend

I say weekend, we all crashed and burned today, so it was really just a busy Friday/Saturday! We clearly aren't used to socialising anymore! 

So Friday was a long overdue promise to my eldest neice (16) to do some baking lessons. She's doing cake baking and decorating next year in school (why was I never offered a subject like that?) and wanted to build up her confidence on baking before starting the subject in a few weeks. 

I decided to keep it simple and went with chocolate covered cupcakes and empire biscuits:

I think we did pretty well! (and yes, they do taste as good as they look!) 

Afterwards we made vegetable soup and then we dropped her off. A quick 2 second hello turned into a few hour catch up and it was far too late when we got home to bed! 

Saturday I met up with friends for lunch and a dog walk and, despite our order being thoroughly messed up, we had a lovely time whilst Missy enjoyed the sun and slept. 

Then we saw different friends for a low key flat warming, even though they've been in the property almost 18 months now! 

Another very late night. 

This was Missy this morning after her walk:

Hubby and I felt this was a brilliant idea and decided to just have a quiet day and get some small jobs sorted around the house. 

Just a short post again, except to say that next week is National Dog Friendly day, I'm going to have to get my thinking cap on and organise something fun with Missy to celebrate the day! 

Now the main question is do we try somewhere new, or do I support somewhere we already love? 

At the Starting Line

Missy is excited about all the adventures set to unlock from tomorrow (covid willing), don't let the picture fool you!

It's been a week. 

On top of a busy online schedule, we've had a super busy week IRL. 

We had booked Stirling Castle for the  Monday weeks ago, planning a nice date day for just the hubby and I. Following Missy and her combined ear infection and cracked pad, I was reluctant to go out and leave her. We'd already booked her in with the dog walker (who was happy to swap it to a house visit), but I still felt absolutely guilt ridden. 

We got there in good time and made things worse for ourselves by pointing all the places we had previously walked Missy when travelling through for a big adventure up north. 

However, once we got into the castle, we did start to really enjoy ourselves. We had organised for the audio tour (which you now just download to your phone) but had no need of it as there were more staff than visitors, each eager to share the history and stories of the castle. 

The tapestrys were by far the most outstanding thing for me (followed by the wooden heads. I can't explain them, they need to be seen to be believed). A lot of the castle is shut because of Covid, but we still had a great day and were home in time for Missys very slow, very short, afternoon walk. 

Wednesday is typically reserved for role play in the evening. We cancelled it as our friend (who we consider ourselves having adopted after she ended up living with us during the December mini lockdown, and have helped through a multitude of new home teething disasters) had received bad news. As we share a bubble, we bullied her to come to ours and made sure she had plenty of food and ice-cream before she went home. 

I had to get blood tests Thursday. Had a rebleed on the drive home. I was officially over with the day before 10am, and worked an extra 30 minutes for the privilege. (Nothing of concern, got my iron levels checked and it confirmed what we knew, that I'm border line anaemic.) 

Friday was a virtual get together under better circumstances. I shan't share details, but a grand adventure is in the works. 

Saturday was supposed to be a quiet day in followed by visiting our aforementioned friend to help her build a wardrobe (I honestly had never been more excited for a DIY party!). Then it turned into one of those days were one job led to another to another and I found myself with the house even more upside down than it had started and longer to do list. Just as I gave up and sat down to listen to a podcast and stitch my newest project, my phone rang. 

Big sis. Her dog, Wee Ben, had a splinter. He was being super anxious and snappy about it and they were too scared to get it out themselves. 

I looked at the clock. I had to get hubby in half an hour. Then it was the DIY party. Sod them, I wouldn't leave a dog in pain. 

I rang hubby, messaged my friend and made it clear to big sis that I had arrangements, so she had to come to me quickly. 

They arrived swiftly and I looked at the patient. Yep. A giant splinter. Firmly held against me with my elbow, I lifted the paw and pulled the offending article out with only a whimper. BIL was impressed, and mortified his dog wouldn't allow him to do such a simple thing. 

Missy watched from the sofa, clearly glad that, for once, she wasn't the one receiving medical attention. I'm sure I saw a smug glimmer in her eye as I washed that paw with doggy disinfectant, a drama we've endured twice a day all week. 

After much thank yous, they shared with me the quote of £160 that they had been given by the emergency vet. So I have a take out promised to me! Looking at the splinter after they left, I did have to wonder why he never pulled it out himself, it wasn't embedded into the pad, but the fleshy bit between the toes. I suppose I'm just used to a dog that will chew off her own torn dew claw than let me take her to the vets (yes, it was chewed off by the time I booked the appointment). Either that or King Charles Spaniels have no survival instinct! 

Hubby was dropped off by a colleague, we got to our friends and we built a wardrobe. Missy thoroughly checked it for a doorway to Narnia, but alas, no such adventure awaited us. 

Today was different friends, our very good ones with the twins. The kids were super excited to be somewhere different and we had nerf fights and played football and Frisbee. There was hot dogs and pumpkin pie (a homemade treat brought by our guests) and, best of all, lots of laughter. There was a small meltdown at the end when I couldn't promise we'd see them next week, but I did promise it wouldn't be so long a wait until we all saw each other again. 

A last update, as you can see the boys are doing well. Whilst still hand shy, they are happy to come out the cage, have a wee fly about and put themselves back in. Missy is still completely ambivalent:

Let's hope next week is a bit smoother! 

An Odd Week

The weather has been frightful this week. Snow, sleet and giant hailstones. Stormy winds and lashing rain. Bright sunshine and clear blue skies.

All in one day, in some cases!

So it's been a relatively quiet week. She saw the polling station twice (and was thoroughly unimpressed at the lack of canine representation on the ballot paper) and from there its been business as usual. She's also collecting ouchies this week, we have an ear infection (trying to syringe her ear twice daily is not fun) and a cracked pad (so washing the paw twice daily and short walks on grass). Poor thing doesn't know what's hit her, she hates all this fussing!

There's been plenty of cuddles and TLC however, so she is quite happy (between ear cleans and pawdicures).

Been busy getting on with crafts, I murdered my second sewing machine (just as its warranty expired!) so decided to invest in a heavy duty one. Its a juggernaut, but I love it already as its weight easily stands up against the pull of my larger projects.

Whilst not my current quilt, I can finally show off this beauty which was a very late Christmas gift to my sister! 

Just a short one this week, gotta keep Missy well rested - we had some really grand adventures getting lined up this year, so she needs to be in good shape for them!