Puppy, People & Fish

Juke & Me

Finally, a picture of a puppy and me! This is Juke. You've already heard about him. He belongs to Leny's grand-daughter, Lucie and they came to visit yesterday. He's a lot of dog for a 12 year old but she's doing her best to train him with limited resources and scanty support. I'm hoping what she lacks in training no-how, she'll make up for with love.  She's got loads of that!

Welcome home!

The travellers return was celebrated with fish and chips (Why not? It was Thursday!) and a bottle of bubbly left by my friend Jeremy. Yeah, I know... no one drinks bubbly with fish & chips. Well, we did... so there!

"No chip vans in Canada?"

I wanted a picture of the fish van and one of the lads commented, "Don't you have fish & chip vans in Canada?" I assured him we did, but I wanted to preserve the memory of where this excellent English fish & chips came from! A couple of brothers, I'm guessing, good-looking lads, too, making a go of it from village to village. Right behind us in the line was Patricia, my Belgian chocolate friend from the day before. This was her first trip to the van and I'm taking the credit for the new business to the lads!
I'm off this morning by bus & train to Norwich, where I'll be picked up by friend, Marlow. It will be lovely to see her.  Any of you who know her from the Coast, can be sure your ears will be burning later today!
New landscape and a favourite person.
The butterfly moves on.

A full night's sleep...

The view from the Burton Library steps

That's what I'll be having tonight as the folks come home today and they'll be dealing with the night time piddle requirements!
 You know the feeling: "It seems only yesterday and by the same token, it feels like forever."
That's the way my time here has been. It's four weeks tomorrow that I arrived and to tell the truth, I feel pretty settled in.
 But, let's not rush ahead...yesterday was another great day!

The High Street, Burton on Trent

I had met a woman and her Westie, Woody, in my 100 Acre Wood last week and it turns out she swims regularly in Burton. I brought my 'cozzie' ( there's a new one for you), so was able to accept her offer to join her. Ultimately, I turned down the swimming but accepted the offer of a lift to Burton to run an errand (Would you believe, go to the bank for cash?) and suggested lunch after her swim. On our way back to Rolleston she suggested a coffee in Tutbury.
 I'm one who likes the charm of ancient-looking old pubs so would probably never have ventured into this small, glass-fronted cafe. I was feeling self-indulgent and considering a mocha, when Isobel said, "Oooh, what about hot chocolate?"
"Sure," I replied, always one to succumb readily to chocolate temptation.
My, oh my, oh my... the picture doesn't begin to do it justice! See that chocolate cube on a stick that Isobel is holding? That gets stirred into the mug of hot milk until dissolved and then you add either the tiny marshmallows or the whipped cream... or both.

Sinful pleasures...

Rich, not too sweet and such a warm comforting afterglow in the tummy...worth every illegal calorie!
Our little jaunt to Tutbury cost me.  When I opened the door to here, knowing I had been gone more than the three hours that Charlie can hold his bladder, I saw immediately the puddle. I no sooner get started cleaning that up when two feet away from me, poor old Charley retches up a puddle of foamy water. D'ya think the carpet cleaning burned off the hot chocolate calories?
 After a wee nap I was off to the pub with Ian for dinner and another evening of convivial conversation and laughter.
Life is good!

The fish van

Waiting for the fish van

There's something very charming and quaint about waiting for a van full of fresh fish to pull up on the side of the road, having a chat with one's fellow fish fanciers and then getting humorous, one-on-one attention from the fish man.
 I think at some level I knew that this slowed-down life of an English village would suit me well. I haven't driven a vehicle in nearly a month now and have only taken the bus twice. Everything else has required me to walk... a hop across the street to the grocery store with its limited choices, a pleasant walk to the butcher's where you can hear someone say, "I'll need enough to feed four," and watch the butcher cut the required portions, a stroll by the river to 'The Spread' (I'm a local now. Its proper name is The Spread Eagle) where the service is friendly, the food is good and the ales are on tap. What else? Oh yes, the lovely spinney, (my 100 Acre Wood) and all the surrounding fields and just the intertwined roads of the village. I never know where I'm going to end up but I never fear getting lost. I can actually say now, after nearly a month, that I am able to make some sense of what leads to what. That's quite an accomplishment for directionally-challenged me!

Not much left, he said.

The fish. Oh yes, the fish...since Ian had told me he's a fisherman and liked trout, I thought I'd get trout. I wasn't too enthusiastic about that idea as I have never been proud of my trout frying efforts... usually burnt on the outside and still raw on the inside. No worries! These were trout filets. ( and here we do say, fill-ays). Beautiful, boneless pink filets, each one at least 15" long.
"I'll have no problem with these beauties," I thought. And I didn't. They were pronounced delicious! The very personable fish man (with family in Calgary) convinced me to buy the third filet. That really was too much so it's filet for breakfast for me today.
I had learned that the yellow-gold fish I had seen elsewhere is smoked mackerel. When I asked Mr. Fish Man about it, he broke one and offered me a taste. Yummy! That was yesterday's lunch.
"Why is the butter on the bread in lumps?" you ask. Well, my dears, even at room temperature, the butter does not get soft enough to spread easily!

Yummy smoked mackerel.

Just so you know...

Can you see the snowdrops?

Not all cash machines or shops offering 'cash back' are able to do so with a foreign credit or debit card.
When I was a young teenager I would frequently fly from Montreal to Stephenville, NL, by myself, often with only a quarter in my wallet. No credit cards in those days, remember! Furthermore, if the flights were delayed for any reason, (no direct flights either), the airline fed and housed you on their nickel. Why did I need more than 25¢?
 My father didn't agree and I bowed to his wish to always have $25.00.
 All this by way of saying, I was not at all perturbed when I realized on Saturday that I had only £ .90 in cash. Well, it all got a bit trickier when, yesterday, I went to the cash machine at The Spread. Cash machine said 'no' to both credit & debit cards.
"The Post Office in the News Agent's will be able to help you," the nice you woman said.
Jane, at the Post Office, said, "No, you can't do cash back on your Visa except in a bank."
 There's a bank in Burton. Getting there requires £1.40 bus fare.
"The Co-op will give me cash back," I thought. "I've seen them do it for other people."
 Not only did the machine at the Co-op refuse cash back, it refused my debit card entirely and wouldn't accept my credit card to pay for the groceries either.

Where do YOU buy house coal?

 Time to call the bank in Canada.
 "No problem here with your cards. It's the equipment at the Co-op," I was told.
 Back I go to get the groceries.  The machine required some fiddling but it worked.
The dilemma is that today, Tuesday, the fish van comes with fresh fish from Grimsby. I'm pretty certain this fellow will not take cards so cash is essential since I've invited Ian to come and eat fresh fish.
Bless the one-person business owner who does her book keeping and banking from home! I called daughter, Kerry,who directed me to a box of coin in the house where I would  likely find £10.00
Bring on the fish man!
What's life without a bit of drama!

Flood warnings have ended.

Sunshine & showers...

A good day on clothes...

Oh, the excitement of hanging clothes on the line under blue skies with a light breeze!
Just as I finished and stood back to admire how nice & high the clothes were and how well the breeze could reach them, Kerry, (the homeowner's daughter ) arrived with her daughter, Lucie and 6 month old Juke.
I had told Lucie when I first got here that I would help her work with Juke, so for the next hour or so, we walked on leash, practised 'off' and then, funnily enough, I found myself sitting on the cold brick patio demonstrating to Lucie how to use a bent leg to teach 'down'. Working with people and puppies is another one of those 'in the flow', time-stopped moments. I wouldn't dream of sitting on those cold bricks for any other reason!

Lucie & Juke

I left them to practise and took 'my' three poodles for their walk. We hadn't gone far when black clouds darkened the sky and the rain began. All I could think of was my clothes on the line. "Hurry, hurry, hurry," my body language said to the dogs as I hustled them home. I don't even know why it mattered. The clothes dried very nicely on a drying rack on the upstairs landing.
 Before Lucie & Juke left, I took a couple of short videos ( apparently too short to upload but I'll get the hang of it sooner or later!) of them, with Lucie using the bent-knee  'down' method. When we looked we had a very attentive audience.

The audience

Yesterday seemed like a good day to eat again and in anticipation, I had gone to the butcher shop on Saturday and bought 2 lovely pieces of filet. I decided to 'pan broil' them, as my mother would have called it, as I am not thrilled with the combo microwave, convection oven and grill unit here. Mushrooms, onions, broccoli and would you believe, 'chips'! Yes, I actually fried potatoes in a pan of oil, something I haven't done since my sailing days in Notre Dame Bay.
 It was all pronounced "delicious" by Ian as we enjoyed another evening of good food, pleasant conversation and laughter.

The snow is gone

Yesterday at Topiary Cottage

And now they are issuing flood warnings. The river which runs to the side of this house is running fast and furious this morning and is very high. I wonder how the ducks manage? They certainly can't swim against that flow. No danger here of flooding...at least I don't think so but it was interesting to get an automated phone call a little earlier with flood warnings for Staffordshire. The voice advised farmers to move their livestock and take measures to protect property. I've seen lots of sandbags in various places here in the village. I wonder if any will be needed today?
 We shan't be walking in the spinney today. That will be a sea of mud. The sun is shining and the temperature is several degrees on the plus side... a most welcome change!

A healthy heart snack...NOT!

I just can't resist sharing one teeny bit of food talk with you. Only in England (the UK?) would you find deep fried pork rind as a bagged snack! Instant artery clog, but so tasty!

Another taste of winter, but...

... the air feels different today. It has that feel of spring and the sunshine turning last night's snowfall into slop is encouraging. Messy, but hopeful.
Yesterday I took the bus to Tutbury, once again  and this time had some sense of what was where... it pays to visit a place a second time, I think.

What's left of Tutbury Castle

This time I walked up the hill to the ruins of Tutbury Castle. Interesting to note that it was built on the only elevation in the area. Some parts are open in the summer but I had to be content with an external view.
Wandered past the old stone church. Tried the doors but they were either stuck or locked. Lovely old doors they are, too.
It's a foregone conclusion that I'm headed for the Antique Shop.
On the way there, I met Jimmy. He's the first puppy I've seen since I've been here so had to give him a cuddle.

Jimmy

  The Antique Shop was a tad warmer this visit so I could stay longer. This time I purchased a shaving mug which holds the brush and the soap. Since the advent of the electric razor and shaving cream, one doesn't see many of these anymore. Shhh...don't tell Lee I bought one!
Having a boiled egg at our house is an exercise in frustration as our hens produce yummy eggs but sometimes the shells are soft and scooping the egg out is tricky. Problem solved! I bought egg coddlers.
Do y'all know what they are?

Treasures of all sorts

China, pottery, crystal, jewellery...

Anyone remember Toby mugs?

After a lovely mid-afternoon meal at The Dog & Partridge (no, I'm not saying what I had 'cuz I'm not talking about food today!), I headed out to wait at the bus stop. There was an old codger there, also waiting, dressed for the chill with his warm jacket & cap and pants tucked into his turned-down Wellies.  Well, didn't he get excited when I told him I was from Canada! He seemed a little confused as to whether he had ever visited Canada or not. He was confused about a few other things as well, but for sure, he was going to tell his Missus at tea that he had met a woman from Canada. And if we ran into one another in Rolleston, he said he wanted to buy me a drink..."that's if you drink, of course,"he said.
I assured him I did and with that, he got off at his stop and waved as the bus left.

My girls will remember these at Grandmother's house

Okay, so I lied!

Still wrapped in newsprint

I forgot entirely that Thursday was fish & chip-van day.  I've only got one more Thursday here so no time to waste!
I offered to go to the van which parks just 'over the road' and get fish & chips for both Ian and me but he said he'd go and, "Did I like mushy peas?"
 Well now, if you've never had 'mushy peas' (truly a British tradition), I'm not sure whether I'd recommend them or not. They're somewhat reminiscent of baby food peas but since not every pea is mushed, they have more texture.

Ian, the bringer of fish & chips

Out of respect of being in this country, I said "yes" to the mushy peas!
The pictures tell the story. The fish & chips are still wrapped in newsprint but without the ink. The batter was light and crispy. The fish (cod?) was super fresh.

Crispy, fresh and so yummy!

 "How were the mushy peas?" you ask.
Hmm... not bad. Not bad at all.

A pretty green, huh?

Too much of a good thing...

Ducks on The Dove

I'm sure you've heard that expression and perhaps even experienced it for yourself. I have. Many times. In the wee, small hours of this morning I awoke and knew instantly that I was experiencing it once again.
 Ian (you know, my neighbour) and I went to The Spread, as it's known locally, (The Spread Eagle to the rest of us) for a bite to eat. Yup, that's right. I'm eating again. Did you really think I had stopped?
 Wednesdays are Pie Nights and in the face of many tempting choices, I chose the Steak and Kidney Pudding. The kidney was a bit difficult to identify but, never mind, the dish was hot and tasty. The English do something called a 'short crust' pastry. It's heavier than our usual pie pie pastry but not as 'biscuity' as our biscuit crust. It's delicious and perhaps one of the reasons I like the meat pies on this side. The pint of Pedigree that accompanied dinner went down smoothly as well. Someone of  more body awareness, common sense, ???, would have declined dessert but when Ian ordered the Sussex Pond Pudding, described as a lemon something or other, I, too, succumbed to temptation (I almost never do that!). Well, lo and behold, more shortcrust, this time enveloping a lemony custard with vanilla ice cream on the side. That too slid down nicely.
The shortcrust was a most unwelcome visitor in the dead of night. I lay there, knowing I'd freeze if I got up to do something about the intestinal discomfort. After a long time of mental self-flaggelation, and new resolution to be mindful when eating, I braved the freezing temperature of the bedroom. Nux Vomica, you are my saviour!
What am I eating today?
Not much!

 A treat for me  (about $7.00)

A lot of Rocks

I never knew kids could be such fun! Honestly. My own children, with their now grown or half-grown children, will attest to that.
 It's a good thing I believe that we humans  develop exactly the way we are meant to and there is no predetermined plan for how and when we come to an appreciation of anything.
Still, it makes me a little sad that I was unable to appreciate my own children when they were very young and neither did I particularly delight in my very young grandchildren. I believe my great grandson, Ryland, was the catalyst that changed all that and I shall tell him so when he's older.
All this preamble is by way of saying what fun I now have with kids!
You know how when you're doing something you really enjoy, the clock stops, time stands still and you're "in the flow"?
Well, that's how it is for me when I present the dog/kid safety program called Be a Tree.
Yesterday was my first presentation to preschoolers (ages 3 & 4), here at the Rolleston Preschool. On the phone beforehand, the person in charge said five minutes was the time allotted. I dutifully adapted the program  and timed it at 8 minutes.
" Good to go,"I thought.
One of the staff agreed to bark like an unfriendly dog at random intervals during the presentation. There's a picture I usually use of a snarling German Shepherd which was deemed to be too scary. This would be the cue for the children to either Be A Tree or Be A Rock. She wasn't very random ( I kept having to cue her) and she didn't sound very menacing (I really missed my usual assistant, Miss Heidi). Never mind, she was willing.
Lots of raised hands, nearly total focus on my pictures, interjections about 'my' dog at home, being A Rock, willing and eager responses...it was magical.
When I finished, I realized I had taken at least 20 minutes and had kept everyone's attention, even the staff!
 The kids agreed to tell Mummy (I'm in England, y'know) and Daddy about  what they had learned.
A seed is planted.

Refreshed and recharged...

Mixed media...mud & snow.

That's right. Both my camera battery and I are feeling primed and ready to go today. Some of you will know I declared yesterday a day "off" and hunkered down in the afternoon with blanket, book and downloaded movie. Two movies, a nap and two episodes of Downton Abbey later, I went to bed and read and shortly afterwards to sleep.
Sometime around 4 a.m., there was  a very loud vibration coming from somewhere in the house.  Fortunately, funny noises in the night do not alarm me. At first I thought to ignore it, but it was too loud. Up I got and easily located the wall where the noise was loudest.  That's very clever but not much help, really. There's both an adjoining flat here and a salon downstairs. Further investigation seemed necessary. Found my jacket and boots and the salon key and strode off  across the back patio/yard to the salon.  Once inside, I can still hear the noise but it's no louder. I have absolutely no idea what this is nor where it's coming from. Only thing to do is go back to bed. As I put my head on the pillow, I thought, "Is something going to explode shortly? If so, where is my passport? What about the dogs?" ( They had slept through this entire drama.) Moments later, the noise stopped.

Here comes the sun.

I woke to the promise of a clear, sunny day. Lovely. Early this morning the battery charger I ordered on Friday arrived and although the promised green light has not yet indicated that the battery is fully charged, I am hopeful.
 Just as expected, last week's snow is now an icy 'pavement'. Keeping  my footing with three dogs in tow could be tricky. Clever me. I foresaw the possibility of this and packed these wonderful grips.

A sure footing...

 I stride along purposefully, happy to see the increasing light and the glorious sun!

A glorious winter day!

Okay, January, you win...

I think I have succumbed, temporarily, to the grey, the cold, and the snow of January.
 I told myself yesterday that I really must 'do something' today like go to Burton on Trent or back to that delightful antique shop in Tutbury.
I look out this morning at the Christmas-card-pretty 100 Acre Wood and all I can think of is how happy I will be to settle in for the rest of the day with  a movie, my book or the latest episode of Downton Abbey... after the dogs have their outing, of course.
And so, my pretties, there will be no adventure today.
Last evening my new friend and temporary neighbour, Ian, came across for a bite to eat. It's always a pleasant change to enjoy someone else's company for the evening meal and Ian is good company. He's lived long enough to have a wealth of stories. I do love a story teller!

My Scottish neighbour

 

It felt like St John's, NL today...

Frosty zooms away...

Not quite as windy, thank goodness, as St. John's, but a typical winter day after the snow stops. The humidity is 100% but nothing is falling and the wind pinches your cheeks. The roads are slushy and the sidewalk snow is now icy. Some of you will relate!
I didn't go far or do any exploration today so here's a little challenge for you. In the following paragraph, the 'local' expressions are in single quotes. Can you re-write the paragraph how we would say it in Canada? No fair, you Brit readers. You can't play!
First off, the standard greeting, with emphasis that doesn't translate to print, is," Are you all right?" Fortunately I replied with a smile, "Yes, thanks." and not the whole catalogue of how I was!
 And here goes:
Walking through the 'spinney' this morning, I noticed the pond had 'sished' (Newfoundland) over. On the return journey I stopped briefly to chat with a fellow dog-walker who said he thought his  wee Scottie was 'knackered'.
I had to wait on the 'pavement' for the traffic to pass so I could cross the road. A passing small van's sides read 'Bespoke Joinery'. A 'lorry' bore the sign, 'Hire & Haulage'.
 What's for 'tea'? I think steak and 'jacket' potatoes. I wonder if there's any 'brown sauce' in this house?
 If you decide to play, post your response in the comments box or send me an email if you'd rather.

The holly leaves are like snow-filled saucers

This is different...

One way to cope...

The first umbrella I saw yesterday morning in the steadily falling snow startled me a little. "That's different," I thought. " It works though, with no wind." Before the day was out, I realized that this is 'the way' of coping with a snowfall here. All twenty or so women that I saw yesterday, were carrying umbrellas.  "Whatever works," I'm thinking,"and if your hairdo is important, an umbrella beats a hat. For warmth, not so much! "
Women carrying umbrellas in the snow is not the only different thing I encountered.

REAL bacon!

Bacon. Real, stand-up-and-be-counted bacon with rind on and tiny bits of cartilage in it, cut thick and packaged by the local butcher. You need a knife to cut it, teeth to chew it and something to drink a few hours later as the salt takes hold in your system! But, man is it good!
It snow steadily all day yesterday, so much so that my bus trip to York was cancelled. They have rescheduled for next week. Truth be told, that suits me just fine as I have not located the elusive camera battery charger and am waiting now for one to arrive by post from Amazon.uk. That was a lot cheaper option than buying a new camera!

Snowy fun.

Kids and snow... no different anywhere, I suspect.This was a scene from the conservatory window yesterday. The adults mutter about driving and the kids have fun. Who's got it right, I wonder?

It's About the Journey...

Anybody home?

...not the destination. If I never believed that to be true before, I surely do now. Yesterday's adventure walk with Autumn was to Stretton. Did I get there? Nope. Once again, my feet turned for home before the village hove into view.  On the early walk with all three dogs, I had found Rabbit's house and on our wander back from almost-to-Stretton, we encountered a few of his friends.

A friend of Rabbit's?

Despite the snow falling today and the 17cm forecast, I saw signs of spring in my 100 Acre Wood yesterday. Meanwhile, the white stuff is pretty as long as one knows it's not going to last!

Signs of Spring

I just know you've missed my eating so I took myself once again last evening to the Spread Eagle pub which is located ever so conveniently about 100 yards away.  I only went, of course, so I would have something to tell you... no picture (again) as I have seriously misplaced my camera battery charger and am hoarding the power still remaining.
My ale quest ended in a Guinness last evening as there were no more dark ales to try. Not a problem. There's such comfort in a Guinness! Pork belly with roasted root veg was my choice of main. It was hot, appetizingly presented, and very tasty. The watercress garnish was tasty, too. Oh, nearly forgot to mention the beer battered mushrooms that I started with. Very,very hot and yummy. All this month the Spread Eagle has 25% off vouchers, so my rationalization was that the percentage off paid for my starter. Clever thinking, wouldn't you agree?
Big snow, little snow, little snow, big snow is the expression I grew up with and since what's falling is 'little', I suspect we'll get what's forecast.The perfect opportunity for me to really search for the missing battery charger.

A former horse trough?

A Different Sort of Adventure

My 100 Acre Wood

I do love the woods in England. They're so see-through and no thought at all of anything menacing suddenly appearing, unless it was Tigger. I could handle that!
The now-frozen mud made our morning trek much more agreeable and even the 'old folks' were happy to go a little farther than usual.
 Returning home Autumn raced off (no, she does not 'come'!) to make friends with a wired-haired Jack Russell, named Morris. Morris' owner and I chatted for so long, I actually asked his name (most unusual for me) and by the time we parted company we had solved all the current world problems.

The budding artist!

My creative thinking was unleashed in the afternoon as I prepared to give my Be A Tree ( dog/kid safety program) to a local pre-school on Monday. I brought with me only the presentation pictures and no coloring pages, stickers or certificates. Improvisation required and here is the  result.
Before the resident folks left, they invited a neighbour gentleman for dinner as they often do. Yesterday I decided to do the same. I had no phone number so had to go and knock on his door to say,"Come & have a bite to eat." Ian, a retired teacher originally from Scotland, lives alone. Vision issues prevent him from his usual activities and I think he, like I, was delighted to have company for eating. He is a great storyteller with a wonderful sense of humour which made for a most agreeable laughter-filled evening.  We will do it again.
It was an interesting day and I scarcely left 'home'.

Eating again...

I'm always early for something new. I zoomed around after I finished a Skype call with Lisa, let the poodles out to pee, got ready, got to the bus stop about a minute away and then strolled about for a quarter of an hour because I was early and the bus was late. I learned later that a late bus is not uncommon. Never mind... I'm off to Tutbury. Tra la!
After about a 10 minute ride and a few steps up a short hill, I'm on the High Street. Had a squiz ( my new Aussie word) in the charity shop which was not nearly as well stocked as any in Burton and then headed  down the street. Not long before I see The Dog & Partridge pub

where I know I'll have lunch but first... ah, there's the antique shop, Leny told me about.

My, oh my, oh my. Shades of my childhood... china, crystal everything from a thimble to a punch bowl, collections of thimbles, English pottery... the blue and white striped stuff that I once had in a jug and butter dish, Bunnykins dishes, Toby mugs, shaving mugs and a moustache mug and on and on... Did I mention that the temperature in this shop of delights was only barely above freezing?  When I couldn't stand it another minute, I hurried my chattering teeth next door where the staff kindly sat me with my back to the radiator and my front facing a wood fire. Then as my half pint of Pedigree arrived, a staff member piled coal on. Ah, the luxury of heat!

I opted for the steak & ale pie with chips and seasonal veg. I actually remembered to take a picture of it to share but somehow managed to lose it. You'll just have to imagine this individual thick-crusted steaming-hot circle of brown gravy deliciousness. My word! It was just what I needed.
A full belly and enveloping heat threatened to have me nod off so I reluctantly left for further exploration in the short time I had left (Can't leave the dogs too long.)

I love the paws on the wall leading into the Pet Store. The owner(?) was warm and welcoming. She, herself, bags the bird seed that she sells. Believe me, the birds in these parts are well catered to.
Just time for a quick squiz into a couple of mews  en route to the bus where this time, I had company while we waited for the bus. When it did finally arrive, about 25 minutes late, I think, the driver apologized and took no fare. Wow! That's a first for me.
Gotta go back to that antique shop...