Deja Vu

It is the last day of looking after the Cocker Spaniel who lives in the house where  one called Neville used to live. As time goes on the two Spaniels are converging, there are some subtle differences, the  youngster is becoming less black on his back. The youngster is very vocal, he talks non stop. Ignoring him increases the volume of the chatter until you involve him in some way. He loves doing things, non stop, action all day is the name of the game. He loves water, but he won’t swim. It’s been hot, so the walks I have done I have tried to ensure he had the opportunity to cool down. A walk from Aston to Henley, along the river Thames. Pub visit at the Angel on the Bridge. He loved that of course. Another day, another walk. This time around the pub at Waltham St Lawrence, another favourite pub, but we did the walk too early for opening time. Another dip in the lake by Shottesbrook. He found a dead mouse early in the walk, decided to carry it about, but thankfully dropped it! Last water walk, to a nearby pub on the river Loddon, by a ford, another dip. 

The Summer show, the second stage of my plan to automate the Show entering process.  Last time we had an online form to enter the Show which was a success. This time we use the same form and a few bits of Visual Basic to import the data into spreadsheet used to manage the days show. Those who decide to still enter on paper, instead of entering the data into the spreadsheet, a time consuming and potentially error prone process, we use a modified entry form to just click the classes the entree wants to enter. A couple of glitches but understood and nothing serious. Plenty of work to do before the next show to improve the process further.

I entered my KohlRabi, but unfortunately it had bloated and did not look as attractive as it had. But I entered two, see  above our Chairman’s purple ones, which were beautiful. Third place was my reward. My Date and Walnut cake, with Mascarpone cheese, also came third, I think it was very nice, cooked perfectly, not overcooked at all. Here is the Delphinium, which won, in its class, an amazing bloom. John, told me how he and his wife basically eradicated slugs on an industrial scale, over many nights, but it worked. Slug pellets are used sparingly if at all. The slugs would love this specimen.

The allotment is doing well, if a bit parched. I am getting a lot of slug damage on the Brassicas, the Broccoli is ready, but are very small, a few are a decent size. I can see small golf ball sized Cauliflowers appearing, the Pointy Cabbages are doing ok. Apples and Pears are swelling up, Peas are nearly ready, Broad Beans also, but not in time for the Show. There is a lot going on! My row of Potatoes are doing well, I planted more on the old small plot, again doing well despite the lack of rain. I have had a couple of Courgettes. Back home, three Tomato plants growing like triffids! 

Back to the little Rascal, I have Dog sat him before, he settled in ok then for the night, but this time not so! After being put to bed, he started barking and howling. He lives in a semi, I can’t have that so I had to relent and he slept with me all week. I suspect that will happen for good from now on. He would sprawl out legs in the air, just enjoying being with me. Annoyingly the local Church bell tolled on the hour, all night, that’s not on! By the way he loved my home grown peas.

In the house, are two old cats, the little Rascal tolerates them both, but gives chase to the grey one on occasion, I fancy the other has given him a wack with his paw. 

Back to the Cosy Nook, we were sitting next two a pair of guys, and the father of one of them. I got chatting to them. Turns out the dad, seems to have turned his hand to anything, some people have a talent for this. He repaired and renovated a string of MG Sports cars, I used to have one years ago. Then I discovered he lived near Diss, where I spent most of my childhood up to late teens. Amazing who you meet!  The next day I met one of the younger guys in the local supermarket, I am sure we will see the young pair again soon, in the Nook.