A good opening show for the Olympics

Well done, Danny Boyle.  Mostly stunning, some patchy parts but the forging of the Olympic rings amazing and the Olympic torch cauldron stunning and a bit emotional.  Hope there is a re-run at some point.  The James Bond/Queen/corgis section hilarious.  Not so sure about Rowan Atkinson's performance, nor some of the musicians - Dizzee Rascal?.  And oh dearie me, Paul MacCartney is looking very strange these days, like one of the living dead.  The voice simply isn't there any more.  If you can't sing 'Hey Jude' properly, it's time to take a rest from performing and stick to composing....just perhaps not for ballets eh, Macca?  And nice to see Kenneth Branagh smiling after all the depressing Swedishness that is Wallander...
 
Loved the Queen's pink feathery fascinator thingy - is she getting input from Kate?  But she was a bit pofaced about the opening speech.  Still, she is the Queen so she probably has to be a bit headmistressy. 

Am getting a bit James Bondish myself in trying to prevent Hattie from receiving the unwelcome attentions of would-be doggy daddies.  Have to carry her out to the car and drive to some new spot for exercise and the usual offices (and yes, I do clear up at the back of her).  All very exciting but luckily no parachute drops or jet packs so far.  And she is getting jail fever, I can tell.  Fingers crossed that there's only another week to go.

Have sorted out art club itinerary for August - lots of landscape sketching in front of us, I think.  perhaps it may inspire us to produce some good things for our forthcoming autumn exhibition.  Not getting very far in finding a place to hold a workshop; we need somewhere with easels and a sink, and they're quite thin on the ground.  I wonder if the Zion Centre might be a goer?

Went logging with DD last night.  MBF has neighbour with too many trees, or she thinks she has too many trees and has been trying to get them felled.  Cowboy company just hacked down three of them leaving large pieces of trunk and branches blocking stream at rear of gardens.  DD had to straddle stream with chainsaw, aided by MBF's husband, neighbour and neighbour's grandson while I looked on and broke up some little twiggy kindling bits.  So frustrating to feel weak and unable to be a prime mover in such an exercise.  Ah well, loaded some in the car but loads more to go back to whenever DD feels up to it. 

And Wythenshawe Park tomorrow with Martina but no dog this week.  I have been promising her that she will meet Hattie soon we are foiled at the moment, unless we wish to have a trail of dogs doing the conga behind us as we walk through the park. 

Bravo Jamie

DD and I went to Jamie's new restaurant in the old HSBC building at the top of King Street on Sunday.  What a revelation.  The building looks enormous from outside and as I remember it in the good old days of the Midland Bank, inside it always looked like the epitome of a great old fashioned English bank, mahogany counters, coloured windows, huge banking hall and chandeliers, etc.  It must have taken some puzzling to refashion it into the busy chic place it is today.  And the food.....yum yum yum yummy is all I can say.  The waiters/waitresses are all so knowledgeable, helpful and really happy to serve you.  Quite unlike some of the other eateries in central Manchester.

Then we sauntered on down to shop called the Laundry?  I think.  Sweet shop decorated in a French boudoir style and selling one-off pieces of clothing and jewellery.  What a joy compared to the big bland boring clothing chains.  What could be drearier than landing in a town you have never visited before to be confronted with the same dreary uninspiring street layout lined with row upon row of the same dreary uninspiring chain stores - Primark,Next, BHS, M&S, Topshop, Monsoon, Debenhams, Harvey Nicks, House of Fraser, Selfridges - oh give me a break and bring back some of the smaller individual quirky shops which don't import 99% of their stock from China.  And as for the number of McDonalds, KFC, beefburger joints, kebab shops, Tesco - aaarrrghghgh!!!!

Thank God for Jamie Oliver and people like him who truly love Britain, want to eat good FRESH food from crops grown in Britain without the aid of  chemicals and from animals raised in Britain without hormones and yeast supplements.  Yes, I know he imports some stuff from Italy but at least the tinned tomatoes are grown and packed in Italy presumably by Italians not by Dr Oetker some Dutch-German imitation Italian firm.  And where did this rant come from?  I suppose from the refreshing observation that we can still eat fresh food in this country and enjoy the experience.  Again, well done Jamie.

Anyway, back to the Laundry where I bought a divine beige coloured dangly lace top over a camisole for about £30 - not bad for something which won't be seen on every other person in the street.

And yesterday it was reading group which took place at Abode.  I had rump steak and chips and it was ok, not exciting, but did the job.  Had a good laugh as usual although we were down to only four people.  How did we get on to the subject of tantric sex, open bras, tight pants and circus skills?  Damned if I know but I blame Lisa.

And today, the coup de grace.  Not only has Hattie McTwattie displayed distressingly clear signs of being in season but she is trying to escape to play with the big boys.  Hmm.  Was she listening to our conversation last night on bondage and role-playing?  So not visits to vet until the all clear has been sounded.

And, even worse, I had forgotten that the second part of the Drawing and Painting Figures workshop was today and I HAVE MISSED IT!!  Aaaaagh!  My memory is shot to hell these days.  So shall have to try and do some painting at home in the steaming heat - it's about 85 degrees in old money today - and also try to get the rest of the art group itinerary sorted out. 

And hello Hattie Smelliebum...

Went to Dogs Home last Sunday and to Leigh Dogs Home - what a downer.  All those pleading eyes begging for a decent home where dogs are treated kindly. 

95% at least of all dogs in both homes were Staffordshire Bull Terriers crossbreeds.  So either people get them without realising how strong they are or they are subscribing to this whole fighting dog ethos.  Plus a pathetic dog of 13 or 14 with half its jaw missing - lost in badger-baiting.  And how will anyone take on such a pet knowing how much it will cost in vet fees and so on?  Shameful, really shameful for a country which is supposed to be humane.

Much better in Scotland where they appear to be much more dog-friendly and where you are properly vetted before being allowed to take an animal home.

Was quite taken with a small ancient looking rough haired Jack Russell bitch at Manchester Dogs Home.  After much quibbling and discussions, went back on Monday to take possession of her.  Was told she was 4, didn't know if she was neutered but had been micro-chipped and had the first of her injections.  So for £70 got dog plus 6 weeks pet insurance 'for accidents'(?)

On way home in car, dog so excited, she farted constantly, flooding the car with the smell of rotting fish or something equally vile.  Imagine driving along with all windows down in driving rain, trying to fan smell out of car!  When we got home, fed her from store of food bought in for Oscar - she has the smallest appetite imaginable - took her out for a walk and noticed she was sliding her bum up and down the floor so off to vet who checked her over, cleared anal glands, and who looked cynical in the extreme to be told Dogs Home vets thought she was 4 years old.  Thinks she might be 7 or 8.  Told us of couple who brought in a Yorkshire Terrier said to be 6 months old by rescue centre and who, he said, '..won't see 14 again, in my opinion...'.  He thought she had been in Dogs Home for very long time judging by kennel cough and paperwork sent by Dogs Home vets.  Original injection given last December but follow-up second not due till next week.  Sloppy paperwork or sloppy vet work by dogs home - who knows?

Anyway £70 well spent in my view, plus vet bills for glands and injections to come.  Dogs Home said she was called Pilchard but she doesn't answer to that or any usual small terrier type name (DD suggests Pilchard because of fishy smelling bum) so she is now Hattie Smelliebum, or Hattie McTwattie, depending on her behaviour.  The cats are desperately afraid of her so some adjustment time is needed before we become a fully integrated cat & dog home again as in the halcyon day of Albie and Macey.  Great dogs.

But Hattie is a definite character, alert, eager to please, lovely to take on walks and is so thrilled to be petted and cuddled.  A joy.

In between all these canine excursions, have become the owner of a new Galaxy Ace phone and can I find out how to work the thing?  Can I thump.  Instructions minimal to the point of non-existence.  Doesn't tell you even the basics like how to end calls!  Like where is the camera?  Like how do you operate it?  Oh, booklet full of crap like getting onto internet, getting google maps, getting emails.  Balls to that, I want to text, phone and use camera.  Hello, Mr Sam Sung, are you listening???  Cross?  Me?

Went to summer school on Tuesday for drawing and painting people.  Hard work to get back into it again but soooooo enjoyable and engrossing.  What would I do if I didn't have painting to sustain me?  Another magical day next week - ahhhhh.

Went sketching yesterday with Magpies in the Royal Exchange - St. Ann's Church was being used for jazz festival which was very nice but didn't think they'd like us sketching - and of course we needed to discuss some future things for the art club.

Must sort that out but insurances - car, house, phone - need to be attended to first, and water authorities who are literally taking the piss by suggesting that we use about 60 gallons of water a day.  Blimey, they don't have any idea of how little cleaning and housework I do.  Life is more interesting than cleaning, folks.  Don't come to my house unless you wear dust mask and expect to be covered in dog/cat hairs....

But DD is taking me out at weekend - lovely - and perhaps I can get Martina to come for a walk with me and Hattie McTwattie...

Adieu Oscar

Sadly, I spoke too soon.  Oscar had a monumental power struggle with me when trying to get him to stop pulling.  He floored me, and wouldn't get up to walk no matter what I tried.  It took me over ten minutes to calm him down enough to stop trying to pin me to the ground and to get up and walk home.  Felt physically sick and realised that I was stupid to pick a dog with so much latent strength.  Also, logically speaking, he is a working dog and unless he is working, he isn't going to be happy and will be naughty from boredom if nothing else.

BH, DD and I thought long and hard before returning him but we know we can't help him, brilliant though he is.  Am very upset that we have failed him but am relieved, too, in a guilty way because I was beginning to dread our walks.  Ah well, at least his chum was still there waiting for him at the rescue centre and there was a joyful reunion for them both. 

Finished my last art class of the season today and did a collage for the first time which was 'interesting' as the art tutors say!  Am hoping to do a summer school on life drawing/portraits next week, if possible.

Am going with DD to pick up some tree trunks for the woodstove.  DD will chainsaw them and I will chop them up when the wood has dried a bit.  What exciting lives we do lead....

Oscar is a star

I am cautiously optimistic.  The dear sweet dog is coming along.  Behaved quietly last night and was fairly good on the lead this morning, only becoming agitated when we tried to cross the road with some kids and the lollipop man waved his pole about.  Instant shaking and trembling and squirming to get away.  Took a little time to quieten him down enough to resume walk.  Made worse by lollipop man trying to make friends, a natural reaction but one that Oscar feared.

Made use of a nearby pub 'smoke station' to sit away from rain and to reinforce the 'sit' technique; also much petting for being good.  Much better on return journey.  Much better with cats.  Perhaps I can get him to sit still long enough to photograph him.

Need to get him a dog coat though as his fur is quite thin like a greyhound's.  He will be better equipped than I am for the weather.  I may develop shoulder muscles like Arnie's before we sort out the pulling situation.

Also tried to sort out mobile phone situation.  Am disappointed with Three.  As usual, any phone call results in a number of options and while I find this irritating, I can usually manage it ok.  Not with Three.  This is no option for getting help from an operator; either new phones or troubled phones, no help for customer wishing to port their number across from previous network supplier.  Orange much superior in this respect.

Doggone it

Lovely, lovely morning on Saturday in  Wythenshawe Park.  Despite all the gloomy doomy weather forecasts of rain till the end of the world, we sat and sketched in warm sunshine and enjoyed ourselves greatly.  Good to catch up on those who don't attend same classes.  Gardens greatly neglected as a result of Council cuts.  Should be obvious even to the moronic accountants who seem to rung things that four gardeners cannot look after all the public parks and gardens in the south Manchester area.  Flowerbeds neglected, weeds springing up like - well, weeds.  Perhaps Council should get people doing community service orders to do some weeding?  Or the bloody moronic accountants!  It would be a good idea to do someone's job for a week or two before deciding on whether or not they are providing good value for money.  If that were the maxim, they should get rid of the accountants and shear away several tons of useless councillors.

Anyway, after the delightful morning, I rushed home because - after much nagging and hinting from family and friends, especially Beloved Husband and Darling Daughter, I enquired about rescue dogs from local rescue centre and have now acquired a younger lurcher.  Assured by centre manager that he'd be perfect for us (ages 86 and 69) being cat friendly, house trained, good in car and an all round joy.  Sound suspicious?  Of course, but confronted with an anxious whiskery face and appealing brown eyes, who can resist?  And I didn't.

Oh boy.  He chased my two middle-aged and dignified moggies up the stairs, up the trees, up onto garden shed - they were not happy, neither was I.  They have taken up residence in my bedroom, glaring out of the window, coming down only to eat.  Have had to devise complicated system of windows and doors to allow them out for wee breaks.  So not good with cats.

He demolished every room he went into, nothing was safe.  He jumps up on everyone and everything. So not house trained.

Good in car.  An unqualified yes.  He loves the car and is brilliant in it.

After first walk around field near house, he slipped his lead and played out Custer's Last Stand with a group of screaming Asian children, he taking the part of Chief Sitting Bull and all his warriors, herding them into a tight wagon train circle. Luckily he is not a scrap vicious, he just wanted to play.  Round and round he went, children screaming ever louder.  BH and I ran in a geriatric limping gait after him until BH said: "Bugger it, just turn your back and walk back to the house".  Hearts pumping, that's what we did - AND HE FOLLOWED US and sat in front of garden gate.  Thank God.  So little or no traing.  And he's very strong.

So to pet store to get better collar and harness plus all the usually necessities.  Engraving machine started up while in store and Oscar went into some paralytic trembling terror hell.  Thankfully manager of store used to rescue dogs, stopped machine and tried to pet him better.  Blind anger at sight of animal terrified almost to death by something done by previous owner.

So have used internet (of course) to get some ideas on training and eliminating bad habits.  Have learned that in order to make Oscar behave, I need to assume role of Pack Leader, must make him wee before we go out for a walk (? how the hell one does that is veiled in mystery but I'll give it a try) and must not reward him for bad behaviour.  Easier said than done.  Having got me up at the crack of dawn - well, ok, 7am - have taken him out twice and tried to teach him to sit and stay at pavement edges, also not to pull.  Think he has cracked the sit and stay bit.  Time will tell.  I have learned however that he is an escape artist, is a comic and could pull me along like a steam engine if I let him.  Sore paws (mine) as a result.

Feel very stressed and knackered.  Have had to have daytime naps to recover!  Shall I live long enough to train this poor dog with the sweet whiskery face?