Nice

I slept much better, though still awaking early, when I invite the dogs to go out (invitation not always accepted) make cuppa, drink cuppa, check and post blog, contemplate day ahead, complete puzzles, and, sometimes, go back to sleep. Sometimes, flex. Collect any deposit that the poo machine may have left.
Flex? Well sometimes.

Today, I decided we would be out early. And I decided I was over feeding Minnie. I’m sure she didn’t produce such weighty deposits in previous years. This morning I remembered to pick up the full poo bags and take them with me to Pangbourne where I dumped them in a poo bin.

The doggies were not so active this morning. Well, it was around 07.00. The morning was more chilly than recently and the sun was hiding. There were not so many doggies for Minnie to chase and, in any case, she was preoccupied with my not having brought the ball. It is quite a distraction when I bring it, which is only usually on shorter walks. An obsession even. Trouble is, she hurtles so fast after it that the puffing and panting requires rest. But without it today, she kept getting under my feet as she was looking for it.

Below: big posh boats double parked.

I chatted to a few other dog walkers. The Meadows were litter free this morning so I suspect the litter collection operatives had been out very early. The same topics cropped up in conversations – local trouble makers .

The walk was pleasant enough and we returned home to attend to the usual chores. I assessed the courgette situation and decided aubergines were required to make a large vegetable hot pot to which I added some of the gigantes that Pen had brought me from Greece. So, I visited Cholsey Tesco ( it’s only small) and raided its stock of aubergines. And set things cooking and then stuffed them all in the oven. And eventually ate a large portion. Excellent it was, with enough left over to freeze. Plenty of give a day in there.

It has been another day where the Olympics have drifted past me on the TV screen, whilst I read or did emails etc. AKA a very lazy day. I did get some washing in and out.

H has been familiarising herself with my anti- bark measures which makes for a calmer garden. She seems to be getting the idea. But may just be a tad resentful.

We have more lovely photos of Norway where there seem to be a lot of cliffs, waterfalls and lakes. They seem to be camping most of the time, when it’s not raining.

I wonder what they were laughing at. CHEEEESE?

George’s inflatable sofa . No pump required. You just wave it around. So F said.

Pen is feeling better and thinking about cooking her beans. And she grew a hollyhock. Hollyhocks grow like weeds round here- they are Wallingford’s local emblem.

Playing badminton at the campsite.

A holiday is a nice thought. Pen and Dave are off to old haunts in Mid – Wales at the end of the month. (They have already done Greece) It is almost a year since we visited Norfolk on our Dementia Adventure holiday. That was good.

Thought for the Day