I took Olga on a long walk to the Heath yesterday, alleviating my guilt at her relative lack of exercise over the past week. She ran and ran, and then slept all evening and into the night. Once again her nickname, "Hundred-Percent Dog," proved apt -- everything she does, whether walking on the Heath or chasing squirrels or sleeping, she is full-on, pedal-to-the-metal, 100% invested.
The Heath was a mess -- very muddy and wet, given our recent rain. I had to come home and wash my clothes, not to mention Olga. (Not really all that unusual after a dog walk, this being muddy England.)
Also, I saw a new (to me) type of bird:
It's called a mistle thrush. These two were hopping around in a wet field on Hampstead Heath Extension, harvesting earthworms.
Action shot!
Continuing our appliance drama, I was up until 1 a.m. this morning defrosting the freezer! It had become an iceberg, and I was aware that it needed work, but then Dave opened it last night to get some ice cream and we noticed that it wasn't quite functioning. The ice cream was soft. So, multiple hours and many wet towels and pans of warm water later, we have an effective freezer once again.
And finally, H & M did indeed return to their rightful home last night, where they can be known by their full guinea pig names without fear of Internet identification. They were cute and I came to enjoy their chirpy greetings when I fed them, but all the same, I'm glad to be free of the responsibility! (And, to be honest, the smell.) When Olga got up this morning, the first thing she did was look for them on the tabletop. I think she's sad they're gone, and whatever elaborate plot she was thinking up to eat them has been derailed!
Best wishes for a Happy New Year, Steve! I have so enjoyed reading your posts this past year.
ReplyDeleteWhich hem was Olga planning to eat? Perhaps the hem of your tablecloth. To give 100% is something that we humans frequently fail to do.
ReplyDeletePoor Olga, no Guinea pigs for dinner! Our neighbours had two guinea pigs, which were let out into the garden to have a run each day. What I didnt realise is that they were left on their own to do this. With today's daytime foxes, not to mention local cats, this was a risky policy, which led to the disappearance of them both one day. Poor things!
ReplyDeleteHope you all have either an exciting or a relaxing new year's eve, whichever you prefer! Happy new year!
I just found a worm in my laundry room. Do not ask me how that got there. It was so covered in dust I thought it was a piece of yarn until it wriggled. I could have used a mistle thrush.
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten enough exercise in weeks. I need someone to walk me like you walk Olga. However, I do not think I'd be so dang excited about it. I bet I could beat her in the sleep effort though.
Is it weird that I am breathing a sigh of relief for you that those Peruvian Gourmet Rodents are back with their family, safe and sound?
great shot of the bird pulling that earthworm! cool looking birds too, all spotted on their chests. we're in for five days of really nasty weather, below freezing.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing those Mistle Thrush, and great action shot with the worm. I named the two guinea pigs Harold and Maude. I'm sure Olga enjoyed their company and smells during their visit.
ReplyDeleteGreat action shot! Hope you have a great 2018, Steve.
ReplyDeleteI love the spotted belly on that bird. Good job catching that action shot.
ReplyDelete"Hundred-Percent Dog" - love it! Defrosting the freezer needs to happen here, too, although it's a huge deep-freeze thing and full of stuff and I don't know when I'm going to have the time. That is a great shot of the bird getting its meal. What lovely spots it has. Congratulations on keeping H & M alive for the duration! :)
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that the title of your post sounds like the title to a new Christmas folk song or some such :)
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