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.
ReplyDeleteDave is hopeful he can get them back. We'll see!
DeleteLovely to have been on holiday with you. Great to be home again as demonstrated by Olga !
ReplyDeleteWendy (Wales)
Glad you enjoyed it, and without the ordeal of travel! :)
DeleteHome at last, and the relief flows through every word
ReplyDeleteIt really does. I am very relieved.
DeleteOlga 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
ReplyDeleteYes, we're having a murky weekend here. This morning (Sunday) is equally gray.
DeleteBig 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.
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor guy! :(
DeleteOr maybe the car was simply familiar to him, and he needed a familiar place.
Love the "hop skip jump " !!
ReplyDeleteIt made for a nice photo backdrop. :)
DeleteWelcome home! That was a successful trip, and I expect you were happy the garden held up okay while you were away.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a success overall. I was very relieved about the garden. I really thought the tomato would be a goner but they're pretty tough plants.
DeleteGood 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!
ReplyDeleteOn the contrary, I need them when he's watching Drum Corps marching band videos!
DeleteDogs (and some of the rest of us) do love their routines. Your garden is as beautiful as ever.
ReplyDeleteOlga has always been very into routines -- certain things at certain times without fail.
DeleteWelcome home...the unpacking and laundry continues. Garden does look good!
ReplyDeleteIt does, although we fortunately didn't have a huge amount of washing. We washed one load while at the beach, so that helped.
DeleteLooks like Olga has staked her claim on the best bits of your garden and is enjoying a wee nap after all that travelling.
ReplyDeleteYes, she needs some shut-eye in the comfort of her own garden!
DeleteOlga's back in familiar surroundings so all is right with the world. And is it really a vacation if something isn't left behind?
ReplyDeleteApparently not, though that is not a rule I have ever lived by! LOL
DeleteWhy would Dave need noise canceling headphones at the beach?
ReplyDeletePrimarily so he can watch videos and arrange music without forcing me to listen to it. (They cancel noise for him, but for me too!)
DeleteI 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 wish there were some way to see what Olga's dreams involve. I would love to know.
DeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteWell, last fall we failed to order Uber Pet, so that was our fault. This time we expressly asked for it and in fact paid a significant premium, but Uber still loused it up! I don't think the driver was happy either.
DeleteQueen 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
I wish you were here to dog- and garden-sit! Maybe I'll fly you over? :)
DeleteGlad you all got home safely and your garden survived.
ReplyDeleteWe are relieved!
DeleteVacations 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.
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to see what does well and what doesn't! Sometimes plants you think are tough perform poorly.
DeleteI enjoyed following your adventure on this trip. Tee were very few people in the water so I guess the water is very cold.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I saw only a couple of people swimming the whole week. I confess I didn't even get in the water -- not even my big toe.
DeleteI'm glad Olga is home and everything is back to normal for her. It's hard getting old, even for dogs:)
ReplyDeleteWe were worried about her even before the trip started, so yeah, it's a relief to be home and I think she's happier and more at ease.
DeleteYou and Dave quickly watered and mowed. The garden looks great. Olga seems happy in her garden lounging on her comfy bed. Home sweet home.
ReplyDeleteThere's not much to mow at the moment because I leave about half the garden unmowed in the summer. Better for the bugs!
DeleteGlad 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.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a great break, and so peaceful!
DeleteAbsolutely 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!
ReplyDeleteShe is a very good sport. She's always up for anything as much as she is able.
DeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's what Dave told them. Unfortunately our only contact is a central reservations number that doesn't open until Monday, so we don't know what to expect.
DeleteIt a nightmare going away and watering plants
ReplyDeleteUsually the rain handles it just fine, but of course we picked a dry time of year to travel!
DeleteThere's so much to keep track of when gone for a vacation; plant watering is one of them. Even though Mari can do OK for a day or so, I would hesitate to leave her for a week. So, I usually have a friend look in on her. Would you hire a dogsitter?
ReplyDeleteI used to leave my cat overnight now and then and she was fine. Cats are great that way. We've hired dogsitters when we've gone away on longer trips, but I think even that stresses out Olga a bit. She really wants us, here.
DeleteIt's always good to be home again. Even if I just visit a neighbour I feel better walking in through my own door again.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we can let down our guard in our own space!
DeleteGlad to hear there is not too much carnage in the garden. Olga is so happy to be home, she's a good girl.
ReplyDelete