Indy

I’m very sad to tell you that yesterday morning, 28^th December, we had to take Indy to see our vet, Tom. Indy was asleep in the back of the car, so Tom came out to see him and confirmed what we already knew, that he was very ill. After all the battles he’d fought with his health from the time he was a little puppy, it had all got too much for him and we had no choice but to make that final hard decision.

On Friday he had had a brilliant day and was so full of life that the speed of his collapse and decline came as a terrible shock.

He was such a dearly loved member of our family, sweet natured, loyal and gentle. I just can’t believe he’s gone. 

Oh Christmas Tree...

You should see my Christmas tree. No, perhaps you shouldn’t. It was cute at first, watching Harley shin up the centre knocking baubles flying while she fought with straw owls and became entangled in the lights.

Oh how we laughed as the tree swayed back and forth and bells jingled. It’s wearing a bit thin now. Like the tree. All the baubles have been moved to the top quarter of the tree and the lower branches are naked and most of them are flattened and drooping. I keep bending them back into shape, but resistance is futile.

It is the most ridiculous looking Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. But just one look at those bright eyes peeking out at me from behind a wildly swinging bauble just melts my heart. Who needs a perfect tree when we have this little cutie? Not us!

Fizz is much too ladylike to climb artificial trees (although she’s quite good at removing lights from windows). She watches her little sister with disbelief. But she absolutely loves her and now they sleep together on my bed. She keeps her in line too. If Harley tries to nick one of Fizz’s Dreamies cat treats, she puts her paw on her head and holds her back.

Harley was amazed to see herself and Fizz on the computer screen!

We've been keeping a seat warm at the vet's this month. Indy was on antibiotics for three weeks for a cough, which improved, but got to a stage and got no better. He’s now on a pill which perks up elderly dogs and acts as a bronchodilator.  He’s also on a new painkiller to have alongside the anti-inflammatory.

It has been taking me the best part of an hour and sometimes longer to get all his pills/food/insulin sorted out in the mornings mainly because he’s been refusing to eat and he can’t have some of his medicine or his insulin on an empty stomach (apart from the medicine he has to have half an hour before food). So I’ve been spoon feeding him with help from Harley.

This morning I made him porridge and crushed up some of his dry dog food and mixed it in. I didn’t have to spoon feed him, raise his bowl or anything. He dived in and ate the lot! Mind you, all this time he’s been fussing about his food, he’s still managed to climb up in the chair to pinch the kittens’ food and lick their bowls clean!

But then, Harley helps him to eat his food, so that’s okay!

But Fizzy is still his best mate!

Early Days...

We’ve now had Harley for one week and it feels like she’s been here forever. She’s slotted in so nicely.

The only time Fizz grumbles at her now is if she nips in and pinches one of her treats. They sleep together – well not touching, but almost.

During the past week Fizz has been on hunger strike, refused to speak to anyone, eaten twice as much as normal and curled up with her nose in the corner looking sad - most of that over a period of two days!

Now she’s back to her normal self I’m glad to say! 

Isn't it lovely to see all the Christmas lights going up, cheering the dark evenings? 

Happy December!

Plight of the Rhino

A few months ago I was invited to contribute a story to the first charity anthology by Springbok Publications. Each story in the book is about a different animal and I chose to write mine about the hyena – a much maligned animal.

I spent many hours researching and many more writing the story. I can honestly say I really put my heart and soul into it and I was over the moon when it was accepted.

The book is now available to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon.

After each story and poem, there is some information about the animal featured. And the animals include the Scottish Wild Cat, Hyena, Cheetah, Eagle and of course, the Rhino.

Rhinos are endangered. If action isn’t taken now, in a little over ten years they will be extinct. It is a tragedy the way people are gradually wiping out the other creatures on this planet. I think we’ve all seen the image of that awful woman posing with the beautiful lion she’d just killed. How can anyone do that? It’s beyond my understanding.

A minimum of £1 will be donated to Save the Rhino from the sale of each book, but it is likely to be more as all profits from the sales will be donated.

The illustrations are lovely and the cover artwork is stunning.

For the next few evenings there is an online launch party on Facebook starting at 19.30, so please come along and say hello (you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to, but it would be nice to see you there). Josephine from Save the Rhino International will be joining in at some point too.

Harley!

I had to call in at the local cat rescue a couple of weeks ago and while I was there, I went to see the residents. I could have come home with the lot of them. Well I couldn’t, but I wanted to!

As you know, black cats and kittens are the hardest to rehome and I just don’t know why.

Harley was thrown over the sea wall with her brother. They both had worms and her brother had a poorly tum, although he is doing well now. The lovely young lass who runs the rescue has kept him!

Thank goodness someone saw the kittens being thrown away. It doesn’t bear thinking about what would have become of them if no one had noticed.

I felt a connection the minute I saw Harley. Perhaps because she looked so much like my cat Gizmo who was the sweetest, most affectionate boy.

We brought her home last Sunday and kept her separated from Fizz at first. We’ve been taking it slow and Harley has been so calm around her new big sister. Fizz has hissed, growled, spat, grumbled and even refused to eat for a while – unless I hand fed her little pieces of chicken!

Harley is very friendly and greets everyone who comes to the house with purrs and cuddles, and she adores the children!

She hissed once at Indy when he first sniffed her, but now they rub noses. I think she’s charmed him just as much as Fizz did!

I hadn't realised just how much Fizz had grown though!

November Blues!

Haven’t been around Blogland much. I’ve said before, I don’t like November and tend to retreat a bit during this month.

On 14th November it was two years since Tilly died and on the 18^th it was 38 years since my dad died. Apart from those two anniversaries, November often seems to bring bad news and sadness.

Indy has slowed down a lot – unless food is involved, then he can move faster than a speeding bullet. Well almost.

He’s got a cough and as well as all his usual lumps and bumps and skin tags, another spot appeared on his head. I looked it up online and scared myself.

So we took him back for his three month check up a few weeks early. I was concerned that the cough might be a heart problem, but the good news is that his heart is fine and his lungs are clear.

But his windpipe is inflamed. He’s on antibiotics and if they don’t bring about an improvement, Tom is going to try him with a bronchodilator.

And the spot. Nothing to worry about. Phew.

Last Sunday Indy asked to go out at 5.30 am and Fizz nipped out with him, then didn’t want to come in, so I left her outside and went back to bed. Just after 6 I was woken by that awful cat fight screeching noise. We ran downstairs – I slipped and went the last few on my behind - dashed outside and there was no sign of her.

After wandering round the neighbourhood in the freezing cold, we went in to get dressed (in proper clothes I mean rather than what we woke up in) and she appeared from nowhere, shaken but not stirred. She had breakfast then insisted on going out again and actually spent more time outside than she normally does. So I wonder if maybe she wasn’t beaten up, but had scared an intruder cat off. She's still small, but I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of her! 

One of their favourite places is under my desk with all the wires. Fizz is like Indy's shadow. She adores him and he enjoys being adored!

Round at my daughter's the other day waiting for a delivery, I took my notebook thinking I'd make good use of the peace and quiet. Her young and extremely affectionate cat, Tiger, had other ideas! So we had a cuddle instead.

A few months ago, I mentioned a project I was very excited to be part of. News coming soon of that! It’s a new charity anthology. Anyway, more about that next time.

Also, we are getting another kitten. More about that later too!

Keep warm!

Prickly!

Many years ago my mum bought a sickly looking little cactus because she felt sorry for it. She put it on her sunny kitchen window sill and the cactus grew and grew and eventually produced beautiful cerise flowers in a ring around the top.

The flowers lasted for about five minutes then it went back to being just plain ole prickly again. But my mum loved it. She called it Big Ben.

When she died ten years ago, I brought the cactus home. It grew two more prickly lumps and it carried on flowering for about five minutes every year.

The picture below was taken a few years ago before the third appendage made an appearance. It was much smaller then.

It got in the way, prickled people (and curious kittens) and gathered dust. Beloved tried vacuuming it and several hundred spikes disappeared up the Dyson tube. It had to be propped up against the window to stop it hurling itself in the sink.

All I said was, “I think I’ll see if someone would like The Cactus.” I made a few enquiries.

I might have said, “I really wish I could throw it away, but my conscience would prickle (ouch) me.”

I went downstairs a little while ago and noticed the kitchen seemed brighter. And then I saw it – or rather I didn’t see it.

“But I thought you wanted me to get rid of it,” he said. “I thought you meant you wanted it to go, but you didn’t want to be the one to do it.”

Well I sort of did, but I still feel bad. I would far rather have seen it go to a new home.

With Indy’s many health issues, I always imagined that our next emergency dash to the vet would be with him, but Fizz had other ideas.

Last weekend she started throwing up – and wailing something awful. Then I saw blobs of blood in her litter tray and more when she tried to use it. Frightening. We rushed her off to the vet where she was examined and given an antibiotic injection (would you like an injection or would you rather give her pills? I tried giving her a worming pill not so long ago and barely lived to tell the tale. Ridiculous when I used to have to give our last poor old cat a combination of about a dozen pills a day with no problems). I opted for the injection.

Then she had a steroid injection. The first needle took her by surprise and she merely had time to spit. She was more prepared the second time and clawed (me) with all four feet and bit my finger. But despite her being scared and feeling ill, I only had two small scratches.

The next day she was fine. We assume as there appeared to be no infection present that she’d eaten something that disagreed with her. The bland recovery diet certainly agreed with her – now she turns her nose up at bog-standard cat food unless I mix chicken in with it. Sigh.

She’s going out in the garden now, but doesn’t linger unless Indy is out there with her.

They say a bad storm is headed our way - Fizz knows where she's going to hide.

Take care and stay safe!

Bravery!

If you’ve been coming here for any length of time, you’ll know about Indy being diagnosed as a puppy with EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) and how we came so close to losing him. I wrote an article about it which appeared in Dog’s Monthly in November last year (“Wasting Away - Focus on EPI, a digestive disease.”)

This is him with Oakley, (who is a week older than him) when they were very small. Oakley used to look after him when he was ill, snuggling up to keep him warm. Much prettier than the flowers that used to grow in that tub! Oakley is deaf now, but he still has that lovely way of looking at you.

Indy was a funny little pup. Stairs scared him. He could go up easily enough, but coming down was another matter.  He was nine months old before he took that first tentative step down the stairs. Once he realised he could do it, he was fine.

I’ve always said that he’s a bit of a wimp. But the thing is he isn’t a wimp. He’s very brave. Everything he’s ever been afraid of in his life, he’s overcome it.

Being scared of things doesn’t make you a wimp and it takes a lot of courage to face your fears head on.

It’s a year since he was diagnosed with diabetes (which is a complication of the EPI so we always knew it could happen) and he’s put up with twice daily injections, blood tests etc with no fuss at all.

When he lost his sight earlier this year, watching him negotiate the stairs was terrifying. He’d stand and carefully inch his way to the top then make his slow way down. Sometimes he’d misjudge where he was and end up in a bedroom.

Occasionally he’d go to walk in a bedroom and end up on the stairs! I put a baby gate across the top so I’d have time to get there and go down with him. He slipped a few times. Now and then he’d misjudge where he was and turn before the stairs did, banging his head on the post.

Now I watch him go down the stairs and he does it slowly and carefully, but sure-footedly (still have my heart in my mouth though). A textured doormat at the turn tells him when he’s reached the point where he has to change direction.

It occurred to me the other day as I watched him coming down (having first negotiated his way past Fizz who was lying on her back at the top waving her paws at him) that it must take a tremendous amount of courage to do it. But he never hesitates.

I’ve tried doing it with my eyes closed and hanging on to the banister which is scary enough, but he has nothing to hang on to - once he's committed that first paw, there's no going back.

I’ve long since taken the baby gate away and he’ll often go downstairs without me even noticing he’s gone. In fact he makes his way round the house and garden with such ease that you wouldn't know he was blind.

In his quiet way he's a brave old thing.

He used to be frightened of children too!

Today is the Day!

Fizz is at the vet’s to be spayed and micro-chipped. I know a lot of places will do kittens earlier than 6 months, but our vets like to wait until they weigh at least 2 kilos. Which she does.

She’s been so desperate to go outside and although she’s been out a few times – supervised – the worry has always been that she’ll escape.

We’ve had her for four months now and it is incredible how much she’s grown. I had forgotten how fast they change from tiny kittens...

 to young cats...

I asked the nurse for advice about whether to get another kitten to keep her company as I’ve never had one alone before, and she said that if we have a lot of cats living nearby – we do – she would make friends if she wants to. Still tempted though.

There is a young cat near us who comes up and looks at her through the window. Always the same one. He (or she, I’m not sure) is only about a year old and very pretty. I hope they’re looking forward to meeting up and being friends – and not trying to murder each other!

She likes to curl up with Indy beside my chair – that’s when she isn’t playing with the wires under my desk or turning off the switch which shuts everything down!

Sometimes Indy doesn’t realise she’s already on the bed – and you know how cats don’t like to move – he flops down on top of her. There’s no screeching or anger from her though, she just wriggles out from underneath and settles back down next to him.

He trips over her sometimes as he can’t see her, but she does have to learn to get out of his way.

She adores him and follows him round everywhere, but I think it still puzzles her that he won’t play, no matter how much she chases his tail or pats his face. He seems a little lost today without his little shadow.

She’s destroyed most of my indoor plants, climbs up the curtains, pulls up the carpets, throws things on the floor, stamps on my keyboard, turns off the modem… And she curls up on my chest, puts her paws round my neck and gives the most wonderful cuddles.

Indy's not the only one missing her!

The Writer's Friend - Everyone Needs a Lynne

Two of my favourite things here today. My lovely friend, Lynne Hackles and a writing bargain.

First of all the bargain is her latest book, Handy Hints for Writers which is available as an ebook for just 99p for the next couple of weeks from Amazon UK and for $1.60 from Amazon. 

Lynne’s book is packed not just with hints and advice for writers, but with inspiration and encouragement which is just typical Lynne! If you’ve ever read her columns in the writing magazines or her previous books or been lucky enough to go to one of her talks, you’ll know just how brilliant she is at bringing out the writer in you.

If you saw her on Deal or No Deal a few years ago when she reached the point where she’d won 10p or £75,000, you’ll also know that she’s got guts and determination.

As well as offering her book at a bargain price, Lynne has kindly agreed to let me turn the tables and ask her some questions.

How would you describe yourself as a writer?

As a butterfly because I flit from one thing to another. I often wish I could have settled on just one genre and be a chick-lit author or crime writer or children’s writer. But that’s not me. Ask the LSO (Long Suffering One) what I’m like in the kitchen or the garden or when we’re decorating and he’ll tell you I flit from one job to another. He leaves me weeding in one corner of the flower bed and when he next looks I’m doing my Lady bit and dead-heading the roses. I’m a butterfly whatever I do.

I can identify with that, Lynne, but is there something you really enjoy writing more than anything else?

The honest answer may be that I love any writing when it comes easy and I’m in the zone.

Your writing space – it’s a question you’ve asked of a lot of writers, but now I’m asking you. Do you have a dedicated writing room and what’s in it?

We’ve just moved house and my writing room is the back bedroom which has stunning views over the Severn Valley. I can see Worcester Cathedral but try not to look too often. What’s it got in it? Tinned food, baking tins, lots of stuff that should be in the kitchen and is currently stored along one wall of my room waiting for the kitchen units to be ready. The builders left a few days ago and we’ve work to flit about doing before my room can be cleared.

It sounds wonderful (the view I mean)! Any lucky mascots/charms on your desk?

Assorted crystals. A stone which has Magic Happens written on it. A gold slipper made from wire which serves as a pen holder. My spell dish – a pretty green dish filled with crystals which has a candle in the middle and names of friends around the edges. These are the friends who need healing thoughts sent to them. I light the candle every day and send them all good wishes.

I think that is a lovely thing to do. I happen to know that being in your spell dish and your thoughts is a very special feeling! So, your writing day – do you have a set routine, or go with the flow?

A set routine definitely. I check emails, check Facebook (even though I almost never post anything), visit a few blogs, do an online crossword and finally I set my kitchen timer for 25 minutes and get down to some work. Then I have a cup of tea. Then I repeat the last two steps and keep repeating until lunchtime.

I know you are fortunate enough to have a wonderful LSO, but what one thing that he does/has done is the most precious to you?

Against all odds, he didn’t die when he had a massive heart attack and his kidneys and everything else were closing down. He said he knew I’d shout at him if he popped his clogs.

That's a lovely answer. Do you hire out your LSO for those writers not fortunate enough to have one?

I’m sure there are more than a few writers he wouldn’t mind being hired out to but I keep him busy.

Quite right too! Is there any form of writing that you haven’t tried, but want to?

There is something and I’m not going to talk about it as I’m about to try it.

Good luck with it, Lynne. I know that talking about things when they’re still in your head can kill them dead so I don’t blame you for keeping it under wraps! When did you start writing? Did anything prompt you or is it something you’ve always done.

When I was at Junior school I told my teacher I wanted to be the next Enid Blyton. I stopped writing at Grammar school when a bad teacher destroyed my confidence. I restarted when I had to spend a year in bed because of a bad back (like Katy Did).

It’s amazing how many of us have to get past bad teachers. I’m so glad you found it again, but not that you had to have a bad back to do it!

Did you have a “Lynne” when you started? Any one person that helped you at the very beginning?

A wonderful writer called R. T. Plumb (Roy) encouraged me when I joined a writer’s group. He’d written novels plus over 40 stories for Radio 4.

He really does sound wonderful.

What do you think is the biggest mistake would-be writers make?

They don’t learn about the business side and they don’t think market research is necessary. I’ve written everything I’ve learned in my new book, Handy Hints for Writers. That should help new writers and refresh (and amuse) more experienced ones.

And finally, I have to ask this: Is Noel Edmunds as nice as he appears?

He is such a professional and helps put the contestants on Deal or No Deal at ease. During an interval in my show we went outside for some fresh air and I told him about the LSO’s heart attacks. Noel immediately went back in to ask Colin (LSO) if he was all right. He told him to put up his hand if he felt ill and filming would stop so he could have a rest or a coffee. Then Noel told me I was enough to give Colin a heart attack! My car, a bright yellow little Ka is called Noelly after one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Sorry, I do ramble. The answer was YES.

Thank you so much, Lynne. And you don’t ramble at all! I’ve really enjoyed having you here.

Just a reminder. Handy Hints for Writers is available at the special price of 99p until the end of the month.

I strongly recommend reading any of Lynne’s books, but I’m going to leave the last word to someone who knows what she’s talking about and I think sums it up perfectly!

“Every writer needs a friend like Lynne Hackles. This book is the next best thing.” Jane Wenham-Jones.

I couldn’t agree more!

Honeysuckle and Jasmine - Liz Grace Davis

I am delighted to showcase a new novel by Liz Grace Davis, Honeysuckle and Jasmine which is released today and is partly inspired by true events. 

Isn’t the cover beautiful?

The past is never far behind.

Senia Loato’s life has been needled by disappointment, and the wounds that fester go beyond skin deep. She is certain if she puts miles between her and her tainted past, she will somehow outrun it. When she’s offered the chance to leave her island home of Mintang to become an au pair for three boys in Germany, she takes the opportunity to start running.

In Germany, she meets Miina, another African au pair. What builds between them is a life-defining friendship, one they will risk everything for.

Here is an excerpt:

Back in my newly renovated basement apartment, I drew a deep, shaky breath, then lifted the box I'd left on the bed earlier. I carried it to the outside rubbish bin and returned empty-handed. Now all I had to do was shake off what was left of my emotional baggage.

Easier said than done, I mused. Why wouldn't it be? For years I'd felt like a piece of clothing that had been ripped open at the seams, without a seam ripper to lessen the damage. Then unravelled until all that remained were pieces that had once belonged to something whole.

That didn't matter now. I should be thankful that the fabric was still intact, the individual pieces just waiting to be sewn back together, stitch by stitch.

If there was something I knew how to do, sewing would be it. Sure, at times I'd probably veer from sewing in a straight line or mistakenly jab a finger with the needle. Fine. I'd just start over, next time with the help of a thimble.

And a short review by me:

This is a novel with a gentle, but determined main character, Senia, who has to overcome many obstacles before she can move forward with her life. It is a novel about friendship, love and sacrifice. I found myself caught up in Miina’s story too and I loved the description of Senia’s life in Africa, both the place and the events which formed her character. An enjoyable read. 

About Liz:

Liz Grace Davis grew up in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and Germany. She now lives with her husband and daughter in Vienna, Austria.

Her travels offered her the opportunity to gather interesting material, from both her own experiences and those of others. She is a firm believer that memories, both good and bad, are worth cherishing because they lead us to be the people we are today.

Liz is the author of Chocolate Aftertaste, Honeysuckle and Jasmine, and Tangi’s Teardrops.

You can visit Liz at her website.

Find her Facebook Page here.

Liz has a Goodreads Author Page.

And a blog Novel Moments.

Liz is also on Twitter.

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

Piteously Slain

“King Richard, late mercifully reigning over us was piteously slain and murdered to the great heaviness of this city.” York 1485.

When I was a child, I remember standing with my mum in the Bloody Tower (originally known as the Garden Tower) while she told me about the wicked uncle murdering his little nephews. Yeah, yeah, I thought, but I want to see the block! In those days you could go right up to it. I remember examining the cut marks in it, searching for blood stains. It was without doubt the highlight of my visit.

But the wicked uncle? Well that’s what happens when the victors rewrite history. Heck, Henry VII even changed the date he took the throne to predate the Battle of Bosworth so that he could have Richard III’s supporters executed for treason. He later had Richard’s 24 year old nephew, Edward Plantagenet, (son of George, Duke of Clarence) executed having kept him prisoner in the Tower from the age of 10.

And in later years Henry VIII, had George’s daughter executed. You have probably heard of the 67 year old Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, who was dragged struggling to the block and had to be held down. It took ten or eleven chops by the inexperienced executioner before the deed was done. But I digress…

So what did Richard III do? Plenty in his lifetime. But in his short time as King?

Among other things, he made major reforms to the legal system which we still use today. Bail. Innocent until proven guilty. A jury of people only of good character. And fair dos for all – that is money, power and privilege brought you no advantage if you’d committed a crime and justice would be done. He was the first king to make his coronation oath in English.

Of his personal life, much is speculation, but I believe that he loved his wife and was faithful to her. I don’t believe that he had his nephews murdered nor do I believe that he was planning to marry his niece Elizabeth of York.

Now there is controversy over where his remains should be buried. Westminster Abbey with his wife Anne would have been the obvious choice I would have thought, but as I understand it, there’s no room and they’re not quite sure exactly where Anne is.

Leicester has the right to bury him because they found him and it was all part of the agreement when they began the excavation – in a car park!

In my own personal opinion, I think he should go to York where he was held in high regard and affection. His heart was in the north and it certainly appears from his association with York Minster that he planned to be buried there. His son was invested Prince of Wales in York Minster and was buried at Sheriff Hutton.

After the disrespectful way his remains were treated in Leicester prior to his burial and then lost, forgotten and built over – it just doesn’t seem fitting that he should be left there.

There are even e-petitions doing the rounds. You might want to sign one depending on your point of view. You may not care either way.

For York you have one which runs out on the 24^th September - sign for York here!

And for Leicester there is this one which runs out on the 12^th October (ironically created by a man called Shakespeare!).

My final word is that if we can afford a lavish funeral for Margaret Thatcher, then surely a proper ceremonial funeral for the last and much maligned King of England to die in battle should be possible – wherever it takes place.

What do you think?

Breezing in!

That’s me – just breezing in with nothing particular to say, but to point you in the direction of some interesting posts.

First of all there’s Paula’s posting where she includes a short film by Jane Wenham-Jones which is very worth watching – and the first in a series. See it here.

And over at Rena’s blog there is writing news and Rena is giving away her novel, “Danger at Mellin Cove” free on Kindle up to and including 26^th August. Be quick! You can get it here.

I always enjoy Maria’s posts at Gaelikaa’s Diary about her life in India. I’m amazed she hasn’t been snapped up by a magazine to write a regular column. You can read her latest post here about the Hindu festival, Raksha Bandhan. Fascinating!

As for me, I found out this week that my little grandkidlets aren’t going back to school as early as I thought – we have two extra days and I am ridiculously pleased about that (I suspect even more pleased than they are).

Meanwhile, Indy is teaching Fizz the Ways of the Cadge.

Copy me, Grasshopper. Just sit and gaze hungrily in her general direction.

Did they get treats? What do you think?

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend!

Summer Holidays!

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer holidays! As always they seem to be rushing by too fast and I know for some, they are over already.

It annoys me no end that you see these “Back to school” signs everywhere for everything from stationery to shoes. I well remember coming over all depressed and miserable in the school holidays as soon as the “Trutex” adverts came on telly. Remember those?

They went something like, “Trutex, Trutex – we love Trutex shirts… and blouses!” With all these kids looking deliriously happy to be going back to school. Pah! Best years of your life? I think not.

I asked one of my grandsons what his favourite thing to do in the holidays was, thinking we were in for another trip to Clacton pier perhaps, or the beach and he immediately said “Boat trip!”

So we did.

If you’re ever in the Felixstowe/Shotley/Harwich area and particularly if the weather is good, I recommend a trip on the Foot Ferry. It’s only a short crossing and you can stay until the next crossing (about two hours), come straight back or make your way back by road. They do river tours too.

And if you go to Shotley at the weekend, the HMS Ganges museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

It isn’t far from Erwarton which, legend has it, is where Anne Boleyn’s heart was buried in a heart shaped box – not Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box which is a completely different kettle of fish - or even completely different heart shaped box.

We went on Wednesday and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day. The water in the harbour was as flat and still as glass and the sun was hot.

We saw this again! It never fails to make me laugh. No, not the tree, look closer. I've posted a picture of this on here before.

There was even time for making sandcastles.

And now it is blowing a gale which is probably why the Fizzlet has been going so crazy! Why do cats always go mad just before the wind blows?

Hardly seems possible she’s gone from this…

To this…

Indy still enjoys going for walks - sometimes! Sometimes he'd rather stay home and snooze the day away on the sofa. He does what he wants to do and that's what it's all about isn't it.