Yuck

What a horrid day it was today. It never stopped drizzling. Apart from a few trips outside for Day-z to ablute, we basically spent the day slaving over a hot laptop.

I did find lots of intriguing stuff out about various aspects of the Thames Ironworks and almost started writing the actual book! That pleasure will probably begin next week.

We did wander up to the village shop first thing for bread, lunch and dinner and then, again in the afternoon because I hadn’t realised I’d need foil.

The rain was so fine on our second trip that we thought it had stopped and so decided to have an extended wander around the cricket pitches. It was as we approached the batting nets that a young Jack Russell laid down on her tummy, trying to conceal herself from half blind Day-z. This happens all the time, to the extent that I’m very surprised when dogs don’t do it.

Anyway, as we approached, the Jack Russell suddenly leapt up and ran towards Day-z who, seeing her at the last moment, turned the wrong way and ran into the Jack’s owner. She was a chatty Scot who told me the Jack was very young and a rescue dog. (I’m astounded by the amount of people with rescue dogs I talk to out walking.) When Day-z ran into her and then jumped away and tried to leap into my arms, she asked me what her name was. I told her and she then tried to make friends with Day-z.

This is not that easy though patting her on the head and treating her like a stupid human helps. The Scottish woman thought a doggie treat would help.

“Is she allowed a treat?” She asked me.
“Yeah, sure,” I replied. “But I doubt she’ll take it.”
“Here Day’z! Here you go,” She said, brightly, her hand outstretched with four little dog treats on it that weren’t venison, sausage or tripe.

Day-z had a bit of a sniff to be polite then turned away, disgusted. I apologised for her rudeness, explaining she was a very fussy eater. The Scottish woman understood and said she didn’t blame her. This made me wonder whether she’d tried the doggie treats for herself.

And so, that was the sum total of our excitement today.

Mirinda, on the other hand, was at the House of Lords answering questions of a select committee for education and having a very jolly time of it. She was still buzzing when she arrived at the cottage tonight.