Chandlers Ford Connect

With the problem that is Trudy taken care of, i.e being left, I was able to return to the shop for a short time. No matter how I feel when I’m at home could be tired, lonely or just not myself, I always feel so much better when I’ve been to the shop. A kiss and a cuddle what a nice way to start the day,

Nice easy sitting down job,  and a catch up on the news, and there maybe something to report later.

To complete my back to work feeling, I bought a small rug for my lounge, a silver lampshade (very pretty) and a cushion all for the princely sum of a few pounds. When I look around my little flat, I think most of what I have has come from the charity shop. I know that the younger generation would prefer modern to old, but I love the old things. The wonderful wood mostly very shiny and obviously well looked after in its time. I wonder what stories these things could tell us,

My daughter managed to find a pair of curtains for my neighbour for a very reasonable sum, and spent some of the afternoon hanging them for her. The old ones were consigned to the bin because it’s reckoned they were at least fifteen years old.

Sun shining and I think I’m going to do some baking. This is not something I do often, but I really enjoy eating a piece of cake with my tea in the afternoon. No matter how good the cakes look in the shops they certainly don’t taste like home made.

I hope your Sunday is pleasurable.

I was invited to join my friend Sylvie for a cream tea at The White Horse in Romsey.

Cucumber, trout, egg and cress, and ham sandwiches offered, along with scones and cream. You had the choice of strawberry jam or lemon curd. Plentiful supply of tea. The waitress was very pleasant, and she told us her home was in Spain, and although barely speaking the language a few months ago, she was managing very well. Cakes arrived too many to mention, and too many to eat. They were carefully devided into two, and presented to us in nice boxes for the onward journey home. The only downside as far as I was concerned was there was no parking, so a walk was the order of the day. Perfectly okay on a nice sunny day but with very black clouds threatening not great, although we arrived home before the thunder and lightning, rain and hail stones began.

It was a most enjoyable couple of hours.

Upon my return home I clicked on Chandlers Ford Friendly Neighbours where many and varied posts appear. One such post asked if anyone was going to the Romsey Show and could this lady find a companion to join her. That prompted me to post a request to ask if people would like to meet for coffee, chat, knitting,playing cards all ages. We shall see what happens next.

It is becoming obvious that the weather is changing, nights are darker as are the mornings,and hibernation is not so far ahead. It would be good to have a meet up with folks from time to time.

Met up with my daughter who was in a tizz as she had lost her purse. Went to investigate her house again, phoned a local shop to see if she had left it there.  No joy. We ladies carry so much in our purses don’t we?. She had bank cards, driving licence and all the detritus that you would expect to find. However went through her car again and there it was. We then decided to go for a walk. As Trudy had been so good off the lead I let her go. Big mistake. From a dog who could barely move she was off. Over the road round the houses. I just felt helpless and stupid. If I had waited until we had got into the woods, shut the gate behind me,she couldn’t have run across the road. Stupid, stupid. We did catch her eventually, but felt in need of a cuppa.

Off to a local garden centre where they welcome dogs. We issued the dogs with strict instructions no weeing or anything else.

There was a lovely smell that comes from room diffusers, soaps and drawer liners, but it was pretty obvious that we were heading towards the autumn.  Some of the plants looked very sad. I know that lots were in the sale, but still that feeling of something ending.

After much fuss of the dogs we sat down. My daughter got the tea and cake whilst I held the dogs. I was sitting down and thought there would be no problem. Wrong. They got themselves entangled with the leads, but then a very nice lady appeared and took Luna the puppy dog from me. As she walked away I was suddenly very worried that she would leave with her, but she just took her for a drink of water. I consider myself to be street savvy, but it just shows you how quickly things can change.

Tea to hand, along with a slice of cake, I was looking forward to tucking in, but I couldn’t manage to eat all the cake. Before I had time to decide what to do with it, whoosh it was gone. Luna really enjoyed it, so my ten pounds spent, mostly ended up in Luna’s tummy. She didn’t eat her supper and slept all night. The cake obviously was very satisfying.

Trudy seems to be more like her old self today, following visit to the vets.  The vet understood why I had removed the collar, as it was the only thing that I could think of that was different in her routine. Now I shall have to go back to another flea and tick treatment, and rue the day i decided to buy the collar in the first place. They are not cheap to buy.

The good thing is she didn’t wake up at 5 o’clock as is her want, and I managed to have a little lie in.

Pleasant walk with the girls, and an even nicer walk at Hocombe Woods this afternoon. Lovely and deliciously warm, but where are the butterflies?. I don’t remember seeing any at all.

Met family and enjoyed a hot cup of chocolate before coming home. Home was not particularly serene as some guys were hacking the hedges down, but they have finally left.

I hate to see all the broken hedges and bark hanging in strips. It seems so harsh, and I can now see my neighbours clearer if indeed I wish to look at them. I like a bit of a green screen it makes me less visible.

Here we go again. Trudy is so not herself, and I’m left wondering if I should take her to the vet. Not eating which is unlike her and even quieter than normal. When you have lost a dog fairly recently it makes your heart ache. I’ve tried a bit of self diagnosis but as I’m not a vet I think a trip to the vet is called for.

Unfortunately my practice does not have an out of hours facility so need to make up my mind pretty soon. The only thing I’ve done differently is putting on a Seresto collar for ticks etc. I’ve taken it off now.

Will keep you posted.

Today is the day I’m to look after the puppy Luna, as her family were off to a rock festival.

Trudy was picked up by my walkers and it presented me with an opportunity to get some shopping from Waitrose. It was so quiet even at 9 o’clock in the morning. It is usually so busy so quite enjoyed the experience for a change. Treated myself to a cake for my mid morning break.

I was to “rock up” as they say at noon to feed Luna, and let her out in the garden. I just about managed it, as Trudy was late back.

Toilet training sorted and food despatched. Thought I should let the family know that all was well. Back came a text  “mum she’s already had her lunch.” The dog walker had already fed her. No problem with eating more though.

Quite an enjoyable afternoon, quiet and no biting.

I was looking forward to watching a bit of telly but they had a new Sky box put in and I couldn’t work it out, so no watching telly.  I did find a book though.

At five o’clock puppy was getting herself wound up, so I decided to put her in her crate and beat a retreat. The dog walker was visiting later in the evening. I got home then the questions arrived. “Did I shut the door properly”. I felt uncomfortable all evening, even though I was sure that I had shut the door properly

Today (Sunday) I decided to get my car cleaned. It was very much in need of a good wash and vacuum.

I was the first,but it wasn’t too long before other people arrived. They work so hard those car valeters.  I’m exhausted just watching them.

Out for dinner, and we shall see what next week brings shall we?. I hope it’s going to be kind to us all.