Yesterday dawned gray and foggy. (I mistyped that as "doggy," but I suppose it was that, too.) Olga, as usual, began the day by exploring the back deck where we later had some excitement, as you'll see below.
Overall we had a very low-key Christmas. I spent most of the morning reading a thriller that I picked up for free at a school book swap, "Two Nights in Lisbon" by Chris Pavone. It was pretty good and certainly diverting. I kept thinking I might walk into town, but I knew everything would be closed so ultimately there didn't seem to be any point. Instead, Dave and I took Olga for a walk on the beach.
Another day, another photo of Olga in her sweater.
I was glad Dave went with us. He hasn't left the cottage much since we got here, but I think as tired as he feels, it will help him heal to move around. We didn't walk far, but far enough for a big black poodle-ish dog named Charlie to glom onto us and follow Olga like a lovesick teenager. Charlie's owner kept calling him, and Olga -- mostly disinterested in other dogs, even in her prime -- displayed only passing enthusiasm at his presence. But he stuck with us, until something finally clicked in his brain and he suddenly bounded away.
Here are some of my beach finds. The painted rock is curious. I guess someone did an art project and then threw it back?
After dark I walked down the road to find a house Dave and I had seen from the bus the previous night. It was madly, wildly overdecorated with Christmas lights and I thought it would make a fun photo, but sadly, it was all dark. I guess whoever owns it went elsewhere for Christmas day. Hopefully tonight it will be lit again.
Along the way, I passed several houses where clusters of people could be seen gathered around dining tables under warm lamplight. It was all very cozy.
Last night, Dave and I had our chili and watched "Pretty Woman," which I don't think I'd seen since it came out back in 1990 or so. It's a strange movie. As I told Dave, it's a misogynistic movie that masquerades as empowering. But it was easy to watch and basically a feel-good story.
Around 4 a.m. this morning, Olga flew off the couch and ran to the back door, upending her dog bowl and making a tremendous racket. I turned on the lights and found Wally the Whitstable Fox wandering around on our back deck. Despite the barking dog and I both on the other side of the glass, Wally was quite unconcerned and took his time sniffing, rubbing his face on the deck, pulling up a strip of wood and disappearing and reappearing repeatedly. (Wally may actually be Winifred, I'm not sure.)
This fox was not scared of anything. I walked Olga around the garden on her lead this morning, afraid she'd see the fox hanging around and go flying off the deck and hurt herself. But I guess at some point we'll have to let her out on her own again.
Today is Boxing Day, and a lot of places will be closed, but I'm hoping to get into town and maybe find the odd pint at a pub. If not at least maybe I'll get in a good walk.
Wally seems quite at home on your back deck, and totally unfazed by Olga‘s and your presence.
ReplyDeleteA quiet Christmas is all you needed this year, I imagine. Being out every day for a gentle walk in daylight is certainly going to make a difference with Dave‘s healing process.
I think people are painting stones and leaving them for others to find...
ReplyDeleteInteresting video..of Winifred unless male foxes squat for a quick pee...she knew that you were safely behind glass! She had an impressive brush...longer than the ones who go through your garden at home?
Foxy looks as if he/she is waiting for a gift......left over Xmas dinner? Olga is relatively calm......Lexi would have been screaming and scrabbling at the glass!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your walk and pint.
There is no escaping foxes today.
ReplyDeleteMesmerising fox video Steve. I am surprised that the fox didn't urinate on one of the Buddha heads - as a deliberate kickback to all human philosophising. I am sure the pubs of Whitstable will be open today. I hope you venture inside "The Old Neptune" and report back.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Wally has been there before. Such beautiful animals, but why did the little stinker decide to peel apart the deck?
ReplyDeleteYou are entering the age of foxes it seems. I hope Dave will continue to recover from his medical ordeal and that you found a good pub.
ReplyDeleteI watched "Pretty Woman" on a British Airways flight in August 1990 from Delhi to London. The flight was almost 24 hrs late departing and the plane was strangely empty, maybe 25 passengers in a jumbo. My six year old daughter had a fine time exploring the various rows and floors and cabins and all the fancy hand lotions in the bathrooms. She made a nest with a stack of blankets the staff, quite bored and underworked, gave her and settled down to watch the movie, which she absolutely loved. When we arrived in Heathrow, we were faced by thronges of reporters and cameras and it eventually transpired that the original plane - the one that was meant to depart from Delhi - had been kidnapped by Saddam Hussein in Kuwait and somehow the media was convinced we had escaped from there. But somehow BA had a eventually sent a second plane.
There is a character on the television show "Yellowstone" that has a wolf that continues to appear periodically at points in his life. Perhaps you have the same thing but in fox form.
ReplyDeleteGads. Tim was addicted to that show.
DeleteI wonder what the fox found so fascinating about your deck. Maybe Olga sniffing out an unfamiliar dog smell. that beach is so rocky, at least that part. Minnie would hate it with her little feet.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if that fox would have been the slightest bit wary of your dog. He seems to know that there is a pane of glass between them though. Foxes seem to be able to adapt themselves to almost any environment.
ReplyDeleteI'll guess that at least one or two prior occupants have left treats for Winni.
ReplyDeleteFoxes really are very intelligent, aren't they? They remind me of cats in some ways. Their curiosity, mainly. I think that one wanted to come in and join all of you, make friends with Olga, perhaps get a bite to eat, settle on the rug and be warm.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I've read too many fairytales.
I wonder at the behavior of pulling up the strip on the deck. Was it just an amusement?
That fox almost seems domesticated.
ReplyDeleteThat is the way of foxes in Britain now Red.
DeleteWhat a nice vacation you're having--sounds wonderful. There's a fad over here for kids painting rocks and leaving them for others to find. The finders often post them on local Facebook pages to bring it full circle. Keeps them all occupied I guess!
ReplyDeleteI do love foxes, they seem half canine and half feline. Glad you guys had a good day and Dave got some fresh air. Olga reminds me of our dogs, on the alert for intruders:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great video of the fox. I notice that Olga quietly watched it while it was on the deck and only barked when it was leaving.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a pleasant Christmas Day.
Based on that quick squat, I'm thinking Wally might be Winifred. However, I still have grown boys (dogs!) who often squat. Amazing how still and quiet Olga was.
ReplyDeleteThat fox video is excellent - I especially like at the 50 second mark when s/he peeks around the corner of the post - ha!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, foxes follow you everywhere, Steve! Glad you are having a relaxing holiday and hope Dave feels stronger soon.
ReplyDelete