Clever Lad

The Lad is a clever lad, he’s already been caught standing inside the large plant pot in the kitchen attempting to climb up the plants to get at the dog biscuit box which is on the worktop above it. We have had to move any blunt objects, such as the dog bowls, away from there or else he'll brain himself.

He then tried to stab himself by yanking away the tea towel that L had been chopping an apple on causing chopping board, knife and apple to tumble to the floor. He's going to be a handful that boy.

He's at the vets again on tonight and he loves that too. He’s given the all clear to hit the streets, so that’s tomorrow’s project. Taking him for a walk. 

(Monday 12^th March)

Back On It

It’s not cold although it is a bit damp on the bike this morning but it was very good to get back on it. L’s in the pool proclaiming it’s good to get back in it.

Daughter meanwhile is on the train and heading over to Nottingham for two interviews, one today and one tomorrow before heading back to Manchester for another one on Friday. She seems to be packing the interviews in again which is good. Fingers crossed again.

We have a Tuesday lunchtime pub trip today as my colleague is off the rest of the week and he doesn’t work Monday’s either, so it’s a very short week for him. Unfortunately the kitchen was closed at the Brunswick for a two week refurbishment. Nice of them to tell us. Instead they had a big vat of beef stew on the bar which was very good but more of a child portion than a proper meal.

Having switched back to my old computer at home, that one now doesn’t work either. Is this some kind of curse?

It’s took me a while to work what week we’re on at dog training as each week has a different trainer and different attendees. Oddly today is week five and tomorrow is week one. This means I do not officially have a session this week but have two the following week. However I manage to bring next Tuesday’s one forwards as there was a cancellation this week. If even I’m confused then it’s going to be carnage at training with people turning up in the wrong week.

Afterwards it’s good old Wainwrights in Masons. Meanwhile Derby win 3-0 at Ipswich.

(Tuesday 31^st January)

Anaesthetic

Day 18

L falls over MD's bed in the dark. It's usually in the hall but is now in an unfamiliar place in the kitchen due to the ongoing bathroom refurb. I've fallen over it practically every day since it moved there but L does these things much better than me and goes full length on the tiled floor, banging her knee and gashing her shin. 

She still manages to struggle to the pool but is already considering wine tonight. Will that help? Probably not but it’s a decent anaesthetic. 

I’m on the bike again but it’s hard work. I’m feeling a bit down on power today.

There is not a word from the building site today. So it will be a nice surprise if we get home and something has been done.

I get home to find that the builder appears to have been in the house, move his tools around a bit and made a cup of tea but that’s all. No progress.

L runs to squash where I heroically lose 5-1 before we hit the Navigation.

(Thursday 27^th October)

Phone A Friend

Another strip wash in the kitchen then onto the bus, it’s the beer festival tonight. Doggo is in his wardrobe and L has been for a run. She says she amazes herself sometimes. The workman will be here at some point.We hope.

When he does turn up, I speak to him about the heating. He’s says he’s going to phone a friend about it.

It is revealed that most swimmers are wasting their time. L tells me not to say ‘I told you so’.

Told you so. Even Adam Peaty doesn’t get fit in the pool he does hours pumping weights in the gym. 

The friend gets the heating going by hot wiring it and recommends we get British Gas in, who we have a contract with, to fix it properly. This bathroom renovation lark is all good fun.

After work I meet L in Nottingham and we head to the Robin Hood aka Nottingham Beer Festival.

Our beer selections are:-

Me

1. Funfair Cheshire Cat 4.9

2. Langwith Lord Humungous Porter 4.8

3. Castle Rock Traffic Street Specials #3 Double Barrel 4.3

4. Blue Monkey Chocolate Amaretto Gorilla 4.9

5. Lincoln Green Buttermuch 5.5

6. Grafton Chocolate Mint Delight 4.8

7. Totally Brewed Grand Papa Jangles - Barrel Aged 7.0

8. Robin Hood The Black Death 8.5

L

1. Funfair Cheshire Cat 4.9

2. Langwith Mozza 5.9

3. Castle Rock Traffic Street Specials #7 New Era 7.7

4. Blue Monkey Chocolate Amaretto Gorilla 4.9

5. Lincoln Green Buttermuch 5.5

6. Grafton Caramel Stout 4.8

7. Black Iris Rise And Shine 5.2

Seven of my eight are dark taking my beer trail up from number 87 to number 94.

(Thursday 13^th October)

Pub Singer

Another bike to work, so I may be crawling at squash tonight but my legs actually feel alright. I feel done in but in a fitter than normal sort of way.

We attempt the pub at lunchtime but the Brunswick’s kitchen is shut for a refurb. Any old excuse to deny us food. The Waterfall, sadly, has no Abbot only the dreaded Doom Bar.

Then in the pub after squash, where they have excellent beer, we end up sitting outside in the cold avoiding their pub singer. We may have to try elsewhere. 

(Thursday 17^th April)

Dogs On CCTV

I ring up the insurers and order L’s new bike. They tell me it’ll be delivered on Wednesday, blimey they don’t mess about. I must saying I’m impressed by the whole thing.

A while ago I bought a CCTV camera to see what the dogs are up to whilst we are out at work and especially to see how Doggo gets over the stair gate, although he hasn’t done this for a while. This is probably why I’ve not rushed to set it up but it’s working now. Although for convenience it’s currently trained on the kitchen, where there is no sign of either dog. So I assume they’re both in the hall, trying to work out how to open the stair gate.

Allocations for tickets for the Commonwealth Games are announced and we get some athletics tickets. That’s a 50% success rate, much better than the initial 0% success rate for London 2012.

Apparently Steve McClaren, or should I say Dutch legend Schteve McClaren, will be the new Derby manager. I don’t really mind who we get but would be very happy with McClaren. He has unfinished business at Derby. He’s not only a former player but was also assistant to Jim Smith back in the day and was being groomed as his successor before Manchester United poached him off us.

Dog training tonight, where it’s a bit cold up on the hill tonight. Winter approaches I guess.

(Monday 30^th September)