We are home again safely, thank goodness. Dave and I were really worried about putting Olga through that journey, given her unexpected infirmity during the week. But she stood up to it (or lay down, as the case may be) like a trooper. We had a bit of confusion when the Uber Pet showed up at our beach cabin and it turned out not to be an Uber Pet at all -- the guy said he couldn't take the dog. But we showed him the booking, which made it plain we needed a dog-friendly car, and he saw it through -- thank goodness, because we had a train to catch.
On the train people fawned over Olga as usual. The guy sitting across from us -- who cracked open a big can of beer at 10 a.m. -- was especially friendly. He did return my hat when I dropped it getting off the train, so I owe him for that.
The picture above was taken in a black cab on the way to our flat from Victoria Station. Olga pawed at her rolled-up bed until I opened it up so she could lie down. Dave and I both agreed that this is it for Olga and traveling. From now on, she stays home. I suspect she's fine with that.
As you can see, she was thrilled to get back to the garden and to her routines.
The garden fared pretty well during our absence. There was some wilting, which was to be expected given the very warm and dry week, and I think we may have lost a hanging basket of petunias. But the dahlias all seemed fine after a drink, as did Dave's tomato plant, which looked positively dessicated when we first saw it. A few hours and a long drink later it was back to normal.
After Dave watered all the potted plants, I mowed the grass, which as you can see above was looking pretty seedy and shaggy.
Here's some of what bloomed in our absence:
The Penstemon...
...the Inula...
...and the day lilies.
Dave belatedly realized that he left his noise-cancelling headphones plugged in and charging on the kitchen counter of the beach cabin, so now we have to try to get those back. It's always something. But still, a successful trip overall and thank goodness we're home sweet home.
Glad Olga did well on the trip. What a beautiful home to return to. A shame about the headphones.
ReplyDeleteLovely to have been on holiday with you. Great to be home again as demonstrated by Olga !
ReplyDeleteWendy (Wales)
Home at last, and the relief flows through every word
ReplyDeleteOlga looks so pleased to be home. Curses about the headphones, we always seem to leave something behind whenever we travel anywhere. Your garden looks lovely and has stood up well. It is a murky morning here in East Sussex and rain is promised so your trip home was good timing. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteBig sigh of relief from Olga, no doubt. One of our dogs used to be so disturbed by being away from home that he used to take every opportunity to sit in the car - afraid of being left behind, maybe.
ReplyDeleteLove the "hop skip jump " !!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! That was a successful trip, and I expect you were happy the garden held up okay while you were away.
ReplyDeleteGood job the Uber driver relented and honoured the booking agreement. Silly Dave for leaving his noise-cancelling earphones behind. I guess he needs them for when you are yakking away about librarianship, Morocco, plants, martinis and rugby league. What a great week you had!
ReplyDeleteDogs (and some of the rest of us) do love their routines. Your garden is as beautiful as ever.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home...the unpacking and laundry continues. Garden does look good!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Olga has staked her claim on the best bits of your garden and is enjoying a wee nap after all that travelling.
ReplyDeleteOlga's back in familiar surroundings so all is right with the world. And is it really a vacation if something isn't left behind?
ReplyDeleteWhy would Dave need noise canceling headphones at the beach?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Olga will dream about beach foxes now?
ReplyDeleteIt's always so fun to check the garden when you get back from being away. At least for me.
I'm glad you made it home with minimum drama. It kind of feels like Uber Pet isn't. It's very weird how that never seems to end up with you actually getting what you ordered!
ReplyDeleteQueen Olga Girl !!! Its Funny To Read That This Will Be Her Last Vacation , Until The Next Time - We Have All Been There And That Aging Thing So Totally Sucks - Loved All The Photos And The Updates Regarding Daily "Adventures" Of The Olga Girl - The Rocks Were Also A Bonus - That Garden Photo Is Incredible And I Only Wish That I Could Care For The Queen During Your Next Holiday - Me , Olga Girl , And Watering That Backyard , YES PLEASE
ReplyDeleteStay Strong Brother Man ,
Cheers
Glad you all got home safely and your garden survived.
ReplyDeleteVacations are nice but it's always good to get home again. When we were commuting back and forth to Houston to work the first thing I would do when we got either place was to walk around the yard and see how things fared in our absence.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed following your adventure on this trip. Tee were very few people in the water so I guess the water is very cold.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Olga is home and everything is back to normal for her. It's hard getting old, even for dogs:)
ReplyDeleteYou and Dave quickly watered and mowed. The garden looks great. Olga seems happy in her garden lounging on her comfy bed. Home sweet home.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back safe and sound. A week by the ocean is always a nice little break from life's routines. And, the garden looks great after a week on its own.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved your holiday- I want to go there ! Your walks were most welcomed - a little adventure., some wide open space, Sea air. Olga is a good sport, good parents!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're home now and that the garden survived your absence. Other than forgetting the headphones, it seems like it was a successful vacation for everyone! I'm sure they'll mail the headphones to you if you offer to pay. My daughter has to do that more often than you'd think with the condos she manages.
ReplyDeleteIt a nightmare going away and watering plants
ReplyDelete