She was a little cuddly ....

Nico ... he might make a good addition to the Hounds of St. Heliers rugby squad

This has been an upside-down week! Not only have I missed out on the company of my regular walking companions but “The cat who lived” has been missing since Monday and one of my favourite hounds has been ill! 

Double Trouble .... Fergus and Nico

They're such cutie pies!

My hound has missed her furry friends on the beach too ... she had to make do with Fergus and Nico this morning and they’re both a bit small, and a tad reluctant, to go chasing through the waves with her. Nico did make a brave attempt at dribbling the rugby ball .... hmmmm .... another contender for the Hounds of St. Heliers rugby squad maybe.

Low cloud this morning .... and it bought the rain with it

Sam has a virus and can’t socialise with other hounds until he stops coughing. Poor Carol has had 2 sleepless nights worrying about her hound. I’m not surprised ... he’s taken up residence in her heart and has endeared himself to all and sundry. 

.... and this gorgeous rainbow!

As for Shimmer, we think she’s got lost. She’s not normally a wanderer but hasn’t been home since early Monday evening. Cayl’s has put posters up, fliers in letter boxes, phoned all the local vets and the SPCA ... all to no avail so far. After all this kitty’s been through I can’t bear to think we might not see her again.

Almost got the full arc ... but not quite.

Fortunately I’ve had extra shifts to do at work, and I have a market this Saturday, so have been forced to focus on things other than worrying about Shimmer. The thought is always there though, at the back of your mind .... where is she, is she ok?

I meet some of the most colourful characters in the shop ... those larger than life individuals who have an impact on all around them. Yesterday one of those characters decided it was a day to be brave and try on bathing suits (or togs as they’re called in NZ). She was in the upper-end of her 50's/possibly early 60's and a little cuddly. She chose two bathing suits and entered the change-rooms. There were several other customers in the shop browsing the racks of bright and colourful summer dresses. 

The other customers and I were making small talk when, all of a sudden, from the change room we heard this HUGE VOICE “There’s no SODDING way THIS body’s going to be seen in public in one of these this summer!”

The other customers and I packed up laughing. From the change room the voice boomed out again “It’s all right for you lot out there to laugh, you can’t see what I’m looking at in this mirror!”


She made my day!


Some of these middle-age ladies .... and I have to remember I’m one myself .... have no qualms about their body size and shape but others do. I loved the attitude of one customer a few weeks ago who decided that, no matter her age, if the European woman of all shapes and sizes could wear bikinis, then so could she! She bought herself a bikini but, admittedly, she was in good shape.

A kitty we met whilst looking for Shimmer

Talking of shape and size I’ve been watching a little of the Olympics this morning and just happened to switch over to the channel showing the Mens Synchonised Doubles Diving ... WOW! 

St. John's Reserve where we've been looking for Shimmer

What AMaZIng physiques these young men have .... I could watch this ALL day!! They put some of my favourite tennis players to shame ... not Rafa ... but others. I think I’ll be tuning in to the Mens Diving and Swimming a little more frequently. 


How to embarrass your youngest lemming? Tell him how much you enjoy perving these young muscled men in their speedos!! Embarrassment overload!!

Bear ... a hound we met at the reserve ... he sang Happy Birthday for us .... just because he could!