And Doggy Makes Three!

Some of you may remember that I adopted a lovely cocker spaniel called Winnie (Poopini) in 2004. I had her for two years, then when the Martian and I split up, he agreed to keep Winnie because I didn't have the finances to take care of her.

A week before the wedding which he knew about, the Martian texted me to say that Winnie was part of his 'old life' and now that he had a 'new life' (translation = new girlfriend), he didn't want her anymore! He asked if I would take her back or alternatively, find another family to adopt her. I was very angry at the time and knew that he had timed it deliberately to cause me maximum stress, but I refused to give him the satisfaction.

I kept my cool and told him that while I would love to have her back, that I would be moving to Brrringland in a few months time. I told him that with the wedding, move, visa fees, new apartment, etc, that I just didn't have the money to take her with me. To my surprise, he offered to pay for her to flight to join me. I think a lot of it was guilt. Why else would he drop $3,000 for a dog he didn't want anymore? Regardless of the reason, I was/am happy that he did so.

When he knew that I would be taking Winnie back, the Martian left her full time with the dog sitter. He arranged for her to spend her quarantine on our Small Island and as everything went smoothly, she arrived in Brrrringland this week!

She was very happy to see me but her health has been a concern. I wouldn't say that she has been neglected in the last two years, but she certainly hasn't had the same level of care that I used to give her.

Her little paws are soft from lack of walking on tarmac, so they are a little raw and even bled a bit yesterday. She has also been trembling a lot (I'm guessing from stress and cold), so P went out and got her a couple of fleece blankets, which we wrap her up with. We took her to the vet last night for a check up and to get some cream for her paws. I think (hope!) she will settle down soon.

She loves chasing her balls in the parks here but we have to take it easy for the moment as she's not as fit as she used to be. However, she's as cute as ever, as these photos will show:

Wrapped up in my blankie, woof!

She is a real daddy's girl, following P around like a little shadow! She simply adores him. P has also been amazing with her. I will post more photos once she gets fitter and we can bring her to new places.

A Day in the Life of a King's S(t)on

My Brringlish history isn't great, but I do know that Hampton Court used to be THE summer retreat for the royals. These days, it is open to the public, although we have not visited yet. We are saving it for when Yeller Fever and the Gorgeous M visit us at Christmas. Superficial me can only take so much history in one year!

It is hard to believe, but this beautiful park that has a golf course and hundreds of deer is literally a 10-minute bike ride across the river from where we live:



P had very sharp eyes and spotted this lovely little baby fawn:



Bambi in the flesh! It was simply adorable.

A massive water feature leads up to Hampton Court by the park. On the other side of the building is the river Thames:



We have also cycled back home along the river, but we were a bit too lazy to do it today as we have neighbours from both our left and right sides coming for dinner tonight. Yes, life here is pretty darn amazing. I am one very lucky girl!

A Day of Culture

Yesterday, P and I went to the National Portrait Gallery with our new friends, the Historian and his Classy Bird. He is a teacher and knows just about anything worth knowing with regards to the Brringlish past. His wife is from my neck of the woods and is elegant and oh-so-beautiful.

The Historian gave us a tour of the museum, with paintings from the 1500s to today. You could just sense the richness of the past in the art, and the modern pieces were witty and attention-grabbing.

In the evening, all four of us went to listen to P's former flatmate Gobby (P nicknamed her!) sing. She is a soprano who has concerts every few months and it was the first time we had seen her perform.

The venue was the beautiful St James Church in Picadilly:


Unfortunately, our camera's night mode doesn't work very well so it is out of focus, but you can still see the beautiful stained glass and carvings.

Imagine sitting in a dimly lit, historical and atmospheric church, listening to an experienced soprano's rich voice, backed by a Baroque ensemble. Over the two-hour concert, Gobby sang selected pieces from Vivaldi and Handel. My favourite arias were 'Ombre Vane' and 'Se pieta di me non senti'. Gobby's voice and breath control was amazing (years of practice), especially as she did the, "Oh oh oh oh oh oh" part of the songs! If anyone knows what that type of singing is called, please let me know because I have no idea.


As I sat there appreciating this wonderful operatic singer, I thought to myself how lucky I was to be enjoying Gobby's amazing talent. I wouldn't have this intimate and unique experience on our Small Island. I came away from yesterday very grateful for where I am in life and the opportunities that being with P have given me.

Now if only the sun would shine today (it's drizzly and grey), then life would be perfect! ;-)