Farewell old friend

Today Ari was, of course, supporting the comrades who were on strike. Despite being a non public sector dog he showed his solidarity by neither biting or threatening anyone. To demonstrate his commitment he chained himself to Housemate's trailer.

                       "The peoples' flag is deepest red etc"

Not to be left out DJ did not romp anywhere and proceded in a dignified walk thereby not providing entertainment for small children. I was so humbled by their attitude that I went and bought a whole bag of doggy treats to put into their strike fund. At the end of his protest I was returning Ari to his lair when I noticed that I couldn't see DJ anywhere. I searched around the yard everywhere for her. All I could hear was a distant num num num sound. I tracked it down to a corner of the barn and there she was tucking in to the, now opened, packet of treats. It took me all my strength to drag her off.

                                                     Replete.

Today is, thankfully, the day that the Mo is going to be harvested. So this is your last chance to give some money towards research into Prostate Cancer. If you have sniggered at this ridiculous fungus, and who hasn't ? Please follow this link and donate. Thank You
http://uk.movember.com/donate/

So for the final time, Thank Goodness

There will be no blog for a few days as we are off to deepest Devon on family activities

Good Dog, Bad Dog (and scary cat )

Wanted. For crimes against the Livery Lady's children, Cruella De Ville, Dusty the horse's owners father and now the Gamekeeper's dogs. (one bitten one chased off) gamekeeper furious but luckily not armed. He's only eighteen inches high but my goodness he is trouble. Now not to be let out of my sight. Bad dog.

                                 "  There he is" says Carly

Why can't he be like the Clark Kent of the house. To the outside viewer Darcy Dog appears to be a pullover wearing wimp. Frightened of small Hens and over familiar female dogs. But tonight he showed his caped crusader side.

                                       Don't be fooled by the mild manner. Grrrr

H and Housemate were standing in the barn when Sharkey the cat was threatened by a usurper cat. She was in the process of being chased off when Leaping to the rescue was SUPERDARCY.

 The incomer showed his fangs and spat at him but our hero saw him off before returning with a bit of a swagger. You might ask where was attack dog when needed ? Housemate had returned from a visit from the North where she had being trying to make peace with her parents for eating Sushi. They had given her some tripe sticks, I think they were for her but she had fed them to Ari and DJ who were getting stuck in to the treat in their lair.

On Sunday night there was a commotion in the field with much galloping up and down from the horses. As it was late I was sent out , with an inadequate torch, to investigate. Kavi was not with the rest of the herd. Being worried I set off in the pitch dark to look around the ten acre field to search for him. It was about eleven thirty and very quiet, I was striding, reasonably manfully, up and down looking for him. Then i heard a "scritch scritch " noise behind me. I whipped around...nothing. I carried on a few more yards, "scritch scritch". Then something bumped into my leg. I squeaked, in a very butch way of course, This time the torch picked out the inquisitive face of Sharkey who was following me to see why I was trolling around the field at the dead of night. Incidentally Kavi was fine and was grazing happily by the Hunt Jump.

Castles and beer

A very busy weekend. The Medieval fayre was great fun.

                                H attempts to storm the castle (She eventually paid to get in)

                                     Beer, Sausages and Archery, a great evening.

                                    Housemate spots a farrier in the distance.

Nondaughter joined us and was very naughty, making some of us drink too much, we also bumped into the Swedish au pair and at some stage ended up babysitting a very precocious three year old girl,(she likes smoked almonds). Afterwards we repaired to the Queens Head and the Globe
http://www.thailudlow.co.uk/globebar.html
http://www.thequeensludlow.com/
Both worth a visit if you are in the area, The Hobsons Bitter is very drinkable in either.

Tomorrow more news on Ari who is now Middleton's most wanted, he has been a naughty boy again. Also a terror packed trek through a dark field.

Ye olde blogge time

I'm almost too excited to blog tonight. It's the Medieval Fayre tomorrow at the castle.

http://www.ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk/

Last year it was soooo much fun. H and Housemate practised their archery skills, both hitting a bell as well as a target. I didn't even hit the castle wall. We tried on hats and drank mulled wine and supped local beer.

http://www.woodbrewery.co.uk/

There was medieval music, jugglers and all sorts of thrilling things.Hopefully Housemate will be able to fight off the onset of the lurgi. We are taking nondaughter with us as she is coming to stay for the weekend. Sadly this means that I will not get to see Big Bucks extend his unbeaten run to 13 races or watch Eighteen Thirtythree win the Henessey Gold Cup at Newbury.

It was a beautiful day today and Kavi took me out over the fields, on days like this there are few places more scenic than our part of Shropshire

                                           "Sit up straight damn you"

Will be too busy to blog tomorrow but will be back at the start of next week. The following is for my Russian readers

Для наших российских друзей, будет видеть Вас в понедельник

"It's naughty is that "

H had a long tough ride on our H&S rep today. as he was on his own it was beholden on him to be especially careful. H was perspiring freely after an hour's worth of;

                                                  "Is that a cow ?"

                                                 "Is that a sheep ?"

                                              "Is that Kauto Star ?"

You see all sorts around here.

                   Mo' on day 24, only 6 days before what we now call Celibacy month comes to an end
Please give a few bob to make it worth while.

Eye of bat, colon of stoat

Cruella visited yesterday, Ari confined to quarters previously was freed, but with a lead. She tried to laugh off the threats but he knew, oh yes, he knew and he remembers. She stayed in her horse's stable while he walked past giving her the look. She has spread the word that he is dangerous, people have come up from the village to take a look, he duly snarls at them from his lair. She is convinced that he will not bite her again, and he won't but there may be worse in store for her.

DJ , now that international athletics have proved out of her ability and fired up by her homeopathic remedy ,has decided to become a wise woman. These elderly ladies learn old lore and make cures for illnesses, they also can put curses on people and can make certain tinctures and potions that may not be to their benefit.

It is all the more worrying when I saw her out on the green today eyeing up some mushrooms.

                                   "Heh heh heh, would you like a mushroom my pretty ?"

She has even fashioned a witches' cloak and is probably on Amazon looking for a hat as we speak. If you hear any mushroom related incidents on the news, you know nothing .. OK.

Hide the Hound

As I suspected yesterday there were repercussions from Ari's rampage. H and I had taken Rooster and Kavi out for a hack This was slightly delayed whilst Rooster ensured we were all wearing high-viz coats as it was a bit misty.

"Now, are you wearing hard hats and foot protection ? Who has got the first aid kit ? Watch out for slips.trips and falls....blah blah blah"

We were coming back down the drive when we were accosted by  Cruella the landlady. It appears that not only did Ari feed upon her he also cornered her in the feed room. I ask you ? Ari is only about 18 inches tall

                                           "I'm a lover not a fighter... (paws crossed)"

She opined that he should be either castrated or worse. A bit harsh I thought, anyway I suppose he had better keep out of her way in the next few days.

After our hack H and I went for Sunday lunch, a rare treat, to the Colliers Arms in Clows Top http://www.colliersarms.com/
It was quite good and interestingly they had turned what used to be the dining room into a shop which stocks locally grown veg, Free Range Eggs and local beers and ciders. As the pub is a bit remote it seems a good idea to diversify. They also open at 09 30 for breakfasts and serve tea, coffee and cakes all day. Good luck to them I say.

Two viscounts and an Honourable.

I thought that something was up. Ari was sat in his lair throwing a baseball against the wall and catching it. He was at his vocal best today as the hunt was in the vicinity. All the quality were on the yard getting their horses prepared to give Reynard a run for his money and this was to be his chance. With a final gnaw at the cage he was free.

                                            Group 4 said it was secure.

The next thing the woofing had turned to growling and he was amongst them nipping away ready to do his worst . The first I knew of this was when I went outside to see what the commotion was about and he came bounding up with his tail wagging furiously. I was confused as to why the yard was deserted and the Hound of the Proletariat roaming free. Guess I will have a bit of apologising to do tomorrow. DJ ventured out for a stroll later and although not back to 100% seemed a bit more lively.

Great news to see the incomparable Kauto Star win his fifteenth grade 1 win today at Haydock Park. I was sat at home on my own cheering him home with a tear in my eye and not a penny invested in him. What a horse

            "Kauto Star ? Pah, did I tell you about when I ran at Worcester ..." etc etc

We've got lots of Tomatoes now

Sorry that I have not been keeping you abreast of the goings on here but I have been weak. I have succumbed, succumbed to beer, to horses and to sloth. Each time I have attempted to put finger to keyboard I have allowed myself to become distracted. However tonight's telly seems to be a choice between soap stars and newsreaders dancing and people of whom I've not heard eating parts of kangaroos' anatomy I am here staring at a blank screen. Well it's not blank now as I have written the last few sentences but you know what I mean.

Ari wanted me to write a damning polemic about the government selling off Northern Rock for 75pence having bought it with about a zillion pounds of our money (or to put it another way, 2 hospitals and about a thousand local government jobs) but I said "No"

I could tell you of my worries about DJ, she has not been her normal romping self over the last few days, she has spent a lot of time looking sad and sighing a lot. We have moved her and Ari to their winter quarters in a hope that she may rally round. Housemate has ordered a homeopathic remedy in a hope that she will return to her old self. Lets hope so.

Tomorrow sees the long awaited return of my fave racehorse Kauto Star at Haydock where he will meet his nemesis Long Run in the Betfair Chase. sadly I fear that his best days are behind him and it's just a case of hoping he will get round in one piece. he can still win races but whether we want to see him slugging round places such as Bangor is a moot point.

Yesterday H and I went to Birmingham for a look round. It has changed since I was last there but as that was in 1962 it is not really surprising. After H had done a few shops we repaired to a pub for lunch where after paying £3 .55p for a pint of beer, sorry to keep going on about it but really... Anyway we were sat at the next table to some businessmen who were having a working lunch. After having a heads up on the retail situation in East Birmingham, we heard Chris from the Wolverhampton office telling of his total commitment to an integrated communications stream incorporating.. about now they were interrupted by a cry as I had bitten my own arm off in boredom. Thank goodness I am retired.

Swedish Au-Pair

The very words are enough to send shivers down the spine of men of a certain age. I am of that age. Back in the day those words conjured up visions of nubile blonde lasses with a liberal attitude to, well we didn't like to say the word then. When h was out hacking at the weekend she met the people from the Court and their aforementioned help. She was invited up to ride Carly as she had evinced interest in horses.

So this morning, purely by coincidence, when she arrived on the yard Ari and I just happened to be around. Spotting my "mo" stache she said to me "Flurngy urflung a boe". It was only later that I realised her confusion

                                                Swedish Chef


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbs64GvGgPU

                                                        Shropshire Chef

 To those who have already slung a few bob to the "mo"vement a big Thank You. I have not set up an account for myself so if you just donate anyway then the effect will be the same.
                                               .

He loves me really

Although he is my mate, it has to be said that Ari is going through an annoying phase at the moment. Not content with savaging visitors to the yard and barking if a bird coughs half a mile away he has now taken  wealth redistribution a little too far. Furrgall and Sharkey are fed in the barn with their bowls put on top of a straw bale as they are outdoor fresh air cats

                                             "Where's me snap gone ?"

We had casually thought that the cats were eating well without becoming too fat, so had wormed them and had even thought that some of their food was being pinched by a visiting moggie. Ari and DJ were out on the yard today for their mooch around and I had been distracted by DJ having a poorly eye , it needed bathing and ointment applied so I was doing my manly vet thing (pus on the jeans is such a good look don't you think ?). After giving her a cuddle , a brave act as she is still not too nice to be near, I went off to the barn to check that the horses were alright for hay, Eees and Whiz. Before my disbelieving eyes there he was.

                                             Caught red pawed.

"Right" I said "You're in the dog house now", probably not the most threatening to say to a dog but he was  firmly escorted back to his lair and put away after being told what a bad dog he was. He stood there with his tail sagging and his head on one side looking sad. I walked away. Within three minutes I was feeling guilty. Was I too harsh? It was only cat food? He only bites most people.

Is this how abusive relationships start

Lest we forget

I make no apology today for talking about remeberance day. I want to dedicate this blog to Cpl James Fox my gt gt uncle. He was born in the tiny Shropshire village of Leebotwood in 1896 the fifth of six children of Thomas Fox who was an agricultural labourer. His mother Emma died two years later giving birth to his brother Henry. By 1911 he was working as a ploughman in the nearby village of Smethcott. The fact that he was a ploughman at the age of 15 shows that he must have been above averagely capable. I don't know when, or more importantly, why he joined the KSLI (Kings Shropshire Light Infantry) but when he married in October 1915 he was called a soldier on his wedding certificate. I have seen his army record and he appears to have done nothing out of the ordinary . On the morning of 16th Feb he was killed while serving in the Somme, again his record only has the bare fact .He had been married for 14 weeks.

                                            Smethcott Church

I have not been able to find out what happened to his widow, but hope she eventually found happiness. Everything that I have found out about him, which is all from official documents, was presented as matter of fact, which makes it sadder in a way. You get no sense of him as a person, only as a name rank and number, he was never awarded a medal or was mentioned in despatches. My mother, whose Uncle he was, never mentioned him, nor did her father, his cousin. Whether they had forgotten or whether it was something that was not talked about I don't know but had I not come across the memorial in the church his sacrifice would have gone unnoticed. Cpl Fox , for me, stands as an everyman who died in that terrible slaughter.

                                           The War Memorial in the Churchyard

On days like this it is worth spending a few moments thinking about the ordinary blokes, who in many cases did extraordinary things to make this country what it is today. We cannot know if wanting to make this country a better place was his reason for joining up, conscription was not a law at the time; he joined,
as a volunteer, or whether it was an adventure to escape his, doubtless, humdrum existance on the farm.

The memorial stands in the churchyard, which is set on a hill a mile out of the village . It has heartbreaking views of the Shropshire countryside over to the Stretton hills. Even a hardened old peacemonger like me swallowed hard when I stood there for a few minutes, back in August ,thinking about those brave men, those scared men, those family men, those brothers, sons, boyfriends and mates.

The North Weeps for a lost sister

                                         Lunch for a Preston Lass 8-11-11

Housemate has developed a taste for Sushi, she has gone home to break the news to her parents, No more Tripe or Black Pudding sarnies, those poor people will be so unhappy that they have lost their only daughter to the Dark/South side. I blame H  with her sophisticated Devon ways.

Talking of whom, her riding seat has been well tested recently by feral pheasants leaping out of the undergrowth and frightening the horses. Further research on Facebook shows that it is becoming a national problem. In a bid to nip this problem Ari took her out on the lead to take a tour of the fields to warn the pheasants about their conduct and the dire consequences should they persist. Unfortunately they bumped into the Gamekeeper, he loves those birds, well he loves shooting them anyway. He was not happy that his beloved prey were in danger from the rabid Scottie. Fortunately Ari was on his best behaviour and bloodshed was averted. The birds have been warned.

                                          "I'm a good lad me"

I'm sure many of you are worried about the rate of growth of the Movember 'tache, well look away now if you don't want to see the result.

                                                 Day 8  http://uk.movember.com/about


Not that impressive yet, but the more you give the more it will grow. The link is above.

Off to Ludlow races tomorrow and the Nicky Henderson/AP McCoy team should win at least two if not three of the races. However my tip is in the 2.00 where Backfromthecongo trained by the in form local trainer Richard Lee can take advantage of bottom weight.

The agony and the ecstasy

I'm really fed up with having to do nothing waiting for back to shape up. Today all I managed was a short stroll down to the field to check out rumours of a new love affair.

                                          "Are you looking at my girlfriend ?"

Amazingly it is Rooster who has been bitten by the love bug. He has been smitten, by a palomino pony of all things, who has moved into the next door field. Just look at the soppy expression on his face, the last time I saw him this happy was when he had moved all the horses to a place of relative safety in under 90 seconds during his annual risk assessment training. Sadly someone will have to break the news to him that he is too late and that she is in foal to another. Which, as Rooster is a gelding, is hardly surprising. Will it break his heart ? Oooh it gets more like Downton Abbey (of which more anon) every day.

Talking of intense friendships Mush and Kavi have been seen a lot in each others company recently, I gained this papp shot at great risk to myself as Sid had not given his permission to take shots of his herd. He is not sure whether to allow this amount of Bromance amongst those for whom he is responsible.

                                           "You're my mate you are".

It was eviction night last night on Downton Abbey as an outbreak of Spanish flu was responsible for  a sneeze off between Lady Cora, Carson the butler and drippy Lavinia. The odds shortened dramatically when the Scottish doctor who mistook Matthew's bad back (I feel your pain) with total paralysis said that Lavinia had luckily only got a mild dose and should be up and about soon. The vultures were soon circling  and poor, damp, Lavvy evaporated pausing only long enough to infect Matthew with a severe dose of pathetic. Mr Bates was arrested as no one was surprised to see although Anna's lip seemed to have gone into spasm in the long shot, perhaps she was trying to stop herself laughing as Bates did his noble camel look while being led away by the peelers. (They are policemen not a part of his anatomy)

The good news is that it will be back next year. But what will keep us going through the cold winter nights at Barns Cottage ? Suggestions on a postcard.

Something for the Weekend

Yes I know that it's been a couple of days since I last blogged but I do have excuses. Firstly H was away for the weekend, she had gone to Oxford to meet the rest of her coven. With Housemate being busy looking after the horses I had free access to the telly so was able to watch lots of footy and racing. More importantly I have not been well, no, proper man unwell. It was my back since you asked, housemate did show a little sympathy and chucked some painkillers at me telling me to "Shut the luck up" not sure what she meant by that, anyway she was pleased to see H coming home tonight, running weeping to her saying "How do you put up with it ?" Yup it must be wonderful being married to someone who bears pain with such fortitude as me.

Anyway Friday was haircut day for H and I decided to have mine seen to as well The barbers shop in Ludlow is run by two or three ladies who are very pleasant but tonsorial attention is not like it used to be. When I was growing up in Chester the only place to go and have your hair cut was Trevors. The "salon" was a back street shop inhabited by two old rockers with incredible DAs.

 At the age of 13 I was allowed to go there alone and ask for the style I wanted, the trouble was that I attended  an old fashioned single sex school who were very fixed on what a hairstyle should be.It was the sort of school that really wanted to be a public school where" head boy" was an order not the role taken by the most popular  senior pupil, however it was blighted by oiks like me passing their 11 plus and spoiling it for the nice middle class boys.

 I would ask for it to be left long especially down the back, with the curly bits bouffanted (it was the 1970s).Trev knew that I went to the "Grammar" so I got a short back and sides, every time. Worse still Trev always had a ciggie on the go while he was hacking away (whilst glancing through the Daily Mirror and attempting to sell contraceptives to other punters at the same time) and for years I thought I had galloping dandruff, it turned out to be fag ash. He also did a thing with a lighted taper that he would wave in a frightening way around your head. And No I have no idea why.

Tonight is the last episode in the current season of Downton, can't wait. Hopefully I will bravely be able to go and visit the animals tomorrow, I'm sure that they've all got Get well Soon cards for me

Girl on Girl action with Kate Middleton and Jordan

Big day yesterday for Housemate as it was her birthday, a milestone birthday as well. After a good pub lunch and a pint of Bath Gem ale, we all went on to Westonbirt Arboretum.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Darcy accompanied us to ensure that we took the requisite amount of exercise after all the chips and ale. We saw some trees, some more trees and a few more trees

                                                       Guess what

Darcy, of course, elicited a lot of attention clad in his finest knitwear, this is not always a good thing as he is a shy sex symbol and gets worried about all the adulation that he recieves. he was quietly minding his own business when he was accosted by a very forward young Jack Russell bitch. he was prepared to be a bit friendly but she was so, well, tactile and insisted on ,touching him in a most familiar way.

                                         "Stay away from me you hussy"

It all became too much and he was forced to seek asylum on the bench where I was resting. She followed him there too and he nearly had a fainting turn. We tried to tell him to Dog up but it was no good and we had to rush him away.

As befits a woman of her age Housemate had a doze on the way home for her surprise party. We had curry and champagne (classy I know) The Nice lady from Next Door came to celebrate and, being the poshest person we know, brought a few of her celebrity, and indeed Royal chums.

                                            Should you really be doing that Your Majesty

As the evening went on the party got wilder and wilder to the point that one of my fantasies was brought to life. Yes Katy Price warmed my spuds up.

                                                  Words fail me                                         


. Anyway a great day was had by all and we can't wait for Housemate to be 21 again.

PS
The title of this piece is to entice some more, shortly to be disappointed, men whose computers have a left handed mouse

Step aside Delia (and James Herriott)

Definitely going to get organised for Christmas this year. Last year was not helped by a month of snow, leading to us being confined to quarters, so this time I'm starting early. Today's task, bake a Christmas cake. Ingredients bought and recipe to be followed, after all how hard can it be ? People do it all the time, and Great British Bake Off looked great fun and I can look Mumsy too.

                                           Should it look like this ?

While it was cooking in the oven H flew into the kitchen "Furrgall's dead !! He's lying behind the hay in the barn !!" I rushed outside, we hadn't seen the little fella this morning and conclusions had been jumped to.

                                               Reports of my demise.....etc

It's just as well H is not a vet, he was just having a snooze.  Back to the Kitchen for the great unveiling and then to get the cake out of the oven, dad dum tish.

                                            Well hmmmmm, maybe it will taste nice.

There will be no blog tomorrow as it is a big day for Housemate and curry and champagne is in the offing