For what started out as a dull day, it turned blue and lovely just before lunch and remained that way all day. And, so everyone can see exactly what the weather is doing here, I have managed to get a feed from the weather station at the bottom of our garden all the way round the world via our website. Click here, to see what the weather is doing RIGHT NOW! It will always be there so you can check whenever you feel like it.
[2018: Note that the Weather Station has been inoperable for some time and so the live information on the linked page above is blank apart from a rather spurious temperature and the time. I’m going to leave the link active though because I just think it’s funny!]
Anyway, enough of that…walking into Farnham this morning, I witnessed a dog Mexican stand-off. A labrador was walking towards a young English sheepdog. They suddenly stopped and stared at each other, wary and wondering. The two guys walking them, kept going and walked passed the other dog before stopping and looking back. They both called but the dogs were not moving.
Suddenly the lab lowered itself to lie on the path, giving the sheepdog the opportunity to go by. The sheepdog looked quizzical and appeared ready to lie down as well but, instead, slowly edged forward.
When he drew level with the lab, the sheepdog walked slowly and carefully at a distance of about six feet. The lab watched, only moving its head. They were both keeping an eye on each other.
Finally, as the sheepdog reached what he considered a safe distance, he ran after his owner. The lab rose to his feet and ran off to his owner in the opposite direction.
It was hilarious. Though the two owners were a bit miserable. Quite unusual in the park.
At Starbucks, the crowd inside forced me to sit outside. A young red setter was attached to the umbrella stand, his noble head, thrust towards Waitrose. I had just put my glasses down, grabbed my book and lifted my coffee when he leapt between me and the small table, dragging it across the ground. My glasses went flying but at least I’d saved my coffee.
This reminded me of the other night. Nicktor was talking to Dawn on the phone. We were in the study and he was explaining something to her. He decided to put his tea down on the desk. The desk has a 3 inch bevel all the way along the front. Nicktor thought it was level.
I was sat at the PC and I saw it as if in slow motion. The mug started to fall and I thrust my right hand at it. I actually grasped it before it fell. Then the hot water hit me – the tea had only been made about 5 minutes before – and I let go, pushing the mug towards the printer and away from the edge.
Tea spilt all over an empty box and a few bits and pieces of paper. The mug was saved. Nicktor was amazed I’d managed to get a hand to it. I was annoyed I’d let it go.
But, back to today. The red setter was going insane, barking and licking at people, bouncing up and down at the end of his lead. I wanted to drag him back but my hands were full and every time he moved, the table moved further away.
A group of two women and an old man were suddenly accosted by the dog and the younger of the two women (daughter, I assume) grabbed the dog, looked at me and yelled “Could you PLEASE control your dog!”
I let her know it was, in fact, NOT my dog. She was immediately contrite and dragged the dog towards the umbrella stand, trying to lock his lead more securely. Meanwhile I managed to free myself, placing the coffee on the table, my glasses on my face, my book on the table, my bag at my feet. Just as I was ready to lend her a hand, the real owner turned up. He was very apologetic.
As it turned out, all was well. Odd though. Dogs and mugs. What does that say, I wonder.
