Formula One

Keith has not been happy these past few weeks, no, not because of anything I've done, but because SOMEONE decided that, for the next few years, Formula 1 coverage should be almost entirely on a special, dedicated channel under the auspices of Sky. Now, I can live with that. In fact, unknown to Keith, I was dancing for joy at the thought of not having to be subjected to endless, boring hours of kids in cars going round and round as fast as they can. For me, the pleasure of watching that sort of drivel entertainment, is not just limited, but totally, absolutely, definitely non-existent. Still, each to their own. Keith maintains a studied indifference, nay contempt for Emmerdale and Coronation Street (and these days, he could be right) but he still surreptitiously watches them if they're on.
Anyway, at the beginning of the week, his pain was almost palpable, as was his moaning, so I heroically suggested that maybe it was time to return to being Sky customers. I did also point out to him that I am actually not in favour of contributing any further to Rupert Murdoch's coffers, so my suggestion was purely because I couldn't stand any more moaning altruistic but, before I could draw breath, he was on the phone, had sorted out the package and arranged installation at the first available millisecond, which is some time tomorrow morning. So now, the moaning is all about how he is missing the practice sessions, which is, in effect, extra hours of boy racers hurtling round and round, so I'm not sympathetic at all on that score.
Tomorrow, I think Paddy and Jake might be getting some extremely long walks!

Walkies

I generally take Paddy and Jake for their walks separately. This has two benefits:

1. It means that I am not being torn in two by Paddy racing ahead and Jake 'hoovering' every inch of the ground in ever decreasing circles.
2. I get twice the exercise, which has got to have some benefits some time - hopefully.

Paddy has been a challenge to walk ever since we got him. It starts before I open the front door, with me requiring him to sit and him reluctantly complying with a heartfelt groan. (Have you ever heard a dog groan? Nor me, till we got him!) I open the door and then we have the tussle over how long it's going to take for him to sit and wait for me to go out first and then allow him to follow. 

The next potential problem happens if we see a squirrel, rabbit or cat, which sets his mood for the walk and means that it's a struggle all the way. When he is in a pulling mood, there is constant stopping, waiting for him to focus again before continuing the walk and then repeating the process a little further on until he eventually gets the message - "We're not going to get very far unless I get my act together and start walking properly."

If we meet another dog, I've found that it usually helps if I pull him to the side and wait until the other one has passed. Otherwise, the chances are that he'll think it's playtime, which doesn't always go down well with the other dog's owner. 

Jake, on the other hand, is a breeze. Ignores cats and all other forms of life met along the way. He's far more interested in all the fascinating smells, which does tend to slow us down rather as he insists on hoovering up every single one. His delight in all these olfactory stimuli is palpable. If I meet any other dog owner with him in tow, I need take no evasive action, I can pass the time of day or stop and chat if the occasion demands it, secure in the knowledge that Jake will wait patiently, nose to the ground, until all the nearby smells are tucked away in his little brain. 

Back home, however, the drill is the same for both - out for the count!

Steam cleaning

You can tell from the title that this post is going to riveting in its interestingness, can't you? Yesterday, the postman brought me this.

It's a steam cleaner and I bought it so that it would magically restore every bit of the house to its original pristine condition, having been cunningly seduced into the belief that no home is complete without one.

So far, I've used it on the hard floors - good,

and the grubby bits on the arms of the sofa and on the pouffe - not much difference, but I am hoping that with a squirt of 'One thousand and one' that result will be improved. 

"It doesn't really clean," said someone I was talking to about it the other day, "but it freshens things up."

Why would you want it if it doesn't clean? I asked myself, but I had already ordered it by then.

Anyway, we will see. I suspect the greatest challenge will be for me to be motivated enough to actually use it! 

Well, cleaning is not the most fascinating way of passing one's time, is it?

On a more interesting note (for me, anyway), I have been sent my first certificate for my Welsh course. My first ten weeks have earned me 2 credits at level one. It's a start. I'll be the new weather girl on S4C before you know it.

In trouble

Thursday morning is when Jenny goes to her welsh class. We got a quick march round the block and by just after eight o'clock, she had gone to her class and Keith had driven off in his van.

We were left alone...

But soon, she'll be coming back and she won't be pleased. Only yesterday I heard her saying how good it was that Jake had stopped having 'little accidents', which shows that he has finally settled down here. Well, maybe he has, but this morning we seem to have had a hiccup and there is a puddle and a mess in the dining room.

The other thing is that, although we KNOW we're not supposed to do it, when the humans are out, we like to lie on the back of the armchair in the window and watch the world go by - only this morning, we were watching the orange cat from across the road go by and I got a bit excited, as any self-respecting terrier would, of course. So the throw is now on the floor instead of on the chair and the cushion is looking a right mess.

Looks like we're going to be in trouble again...

Where else but the USA would you find politicians going by the names of Newt and Mitt? It could almost be the name of a comedy duo. However, I suspect they will continue to plague our airwaves for some months to come yet, which may or may not fill you with anticipation.
In the meantime, yesterday's promise of Spring has come to an untimely end.

Back to the rain, but at least the Canada geese were back.

Let's hear it for Julia!

I am all for a policy of 'live and let live' but there are times, and increasingly so, when I fear that, in Britain, the policy is becoming more along the lines of 'Come over here, do as you like and we'll let you get on with it, whether good or bad.'

Don't you just wish we had someone over here among our so-called politicians who would stand up for us!

Prime Minister Julia Gillard- Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.. Take It Or Leave It.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society ... Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves in UK, Canada & USA , WE will find the courage to start speaking and voicing the same truths. 

Mae'n braf heddiw!

Today is one of those lovely days that present you with a tantalising glimpse of what you hope Spring will be like when it finally gets underway. Lots of photos from dog-walking, when they would let me stand still long enough!

Ond mi fydd hi'n stormus yfory.