For Belinda

 You asked ......

Mad Englishwoman19 February 2026 at 11:23

More pics please of Willow! Good luck with the training.

Besides - today is four weeks since her

'𝔾𝕆𝕋ℂℍ𝔸 𝔻𝔸𝕐'

so it seems appropriate to mark her progress.

So - let's see how things have turned out. 

Well - she likes to be warm, loves her bed(s),

buries herself in her duvet.

Puddles are to be avoided but mud is fine

A marrow filled bone for a 'little after dinner chew' is just perfect.

The cat does things that Willow is not allowed to do 

and can do 'magical' things she would never be able to do,

it tickles us that Willow can not fathom how Pan vanishes

through the cat flap out of the kitchen.

She is not a lap dog - goes stiff when she is picked up

so my sons lift her up, flip her over and give her cuddles

she is so confuddled by such affection

Baths are the source of all evil.

What has Willow Learnt....

• Sit
• Stay (ish)
• Leads with a slip chain mean a decent walk
• Heel (err - still working on that one)
• Wait (for two seconds.... then carry on regardless!)
• Not to dash through doors
• Car trips can be fun
• Fetch - best toy ever is her orange hoop
• Recall (using the above game as the basis of the command)
• Sign language - I teach all my dogs silent commands - she is good at these
• Bed
• No - well she should know this one the best - it seems to be the one I use the most!
• Come in/come here
• Not everybody is scary
• Not every dog is nice

And, I feels traitorous to even think this never mind write it down - as much as my Moss was 'my bestest dog in the world' this little red and white fox is quicker at learning, smarter and keener.

No wonder Collies often top the 'Smartest Dog Ranks'. 

leaps and bounds

 Willow is steadily finding her feet. 

She is quick and smart - so a typical collie. However she is overly sensitive, an overthinker, keen over achiever - likewise - a typical collie. She is also desperate to 'do things right',  to be loved'  to be 'part of the pack' and it is exhausting. For me but even more so for her.

Originally we were told she had to be kept in a crate to help control her as she could be 'too much' and they were worried about her chewing the kid's toys, that she sometimes urinated in the house when she was too excited. Hearing snippets of their reasons for needing her gone and watching the family dynamic I could see they were at their wits end and the dog had no boundaries, no leadership and they had no time.

After the initial allowance of all her foibles and issues, we have worked through and reenforced and reminded and repeated and rewarded new behaviours. She now is the 'proud' owner of three beds and several toys - although still not sure what to do with them, we're going to try and remedy that today (if it will stop raining) when we go out for our walk.

This last weekend has been an absolute test for her, visiting different houses, travelling in the van, fence building, hedge removals, meeting new dogs, new cats and our house full of people. That little timid, desperate, fearful red and white dog stepped up and was 'part of the pack' and she knew it.  Gone were the frightened eyes, the trembly legs and despite still feeling timid - she was 'there and in the mix' and although I know we have a  long, long way to go - I was so proud of her. 

......just have to keep reminding her that the CAT is 'Top Dog' !!

The spark

Cool grey air swirled around us, leaving misty droplets on my eyelashes and making Willow' coat twinkle. The horizon was greyed out and all the villages in the valleys just did not appear.

We walked out of the village, up on to the ridge, sploshed through the playing fields and then along the road before dropping down into the neighbouring hamlet. 

The weight of the mist dulled sounds giving a strange eery feeling - almost liberating!

I stopped briefly to chat to a farmer who had been reroofing one of his sheds however two of his helpers had called time, jumped in their van and were driving off. The farmer was feeling deflated and muttered things about the unreliable state of agency staff. He looked cold and dejected but defiant... He was off to ring the company who'd come recommended and give them a blasting.

When we returned home, Willow was absolutely famished and fell upon her food which such gusto I am sure she inhaled the entire meal in milliseconds.

She now has fallen asleep with twitching paws - think she enjoyed her walk.

Monday's meanderings

 I really should be getting on.

No really.... I SHOULD!

However my mug of tea, although almost finished is enough to keep me here.

But - the washing machine has fallen silent which strangely calls rather loudly to be emptied.

The carpet also rather tight lipped is pointedly saying that it needs vacuuming.

The dog, now asleep from her walk this morning snores gently with her face pressed deep into the fluff of her bed. I would like to take a quick photo but the moment I attempt to stand up her eyes fly open and she is ready for the next adventure - even if it only to the garden for a piddle....

I've a friend landing shortly - she invited herself having discovered I am now no longer working. A mixed blessing this new found freedom - I have things I want to do and I things I have to do but I am not getting round to them!

I have, to my delight, discovered another local name (to be filed under village folk law, myth and legend) for a small winding pathway on our dog walk. A narrow track, probably a pack horse originally, slips behind houses and around fields and terminates in a jumble of cottages. In summer it is a rash of flowers and weeds opening out to wider muddy tracks - perfect for dog walking away from traffic.

I am also rather pleased to be given a Victorian cow/horse tether which some twenty years ago, had been found up on the moors near a dilapidated barn. It still has the rope on it from that lucky find. I already have one that I discovered in a Victorian tip in Wales years and years ago. So I have offered it to Eldest and he is more than happy to give it a home in his garden.

And I shall leave you with a couple of photo's of my Youngest's boys who were peeping beneath the banister yesterday when we visited with Willow. They were rather horrified at the thought of a stinky dog in THEIR domain😆

Hope your weekend was good and your Monday is gentle xx

Three

 Three good things on a Thursday 

Glorious spring-like weather with gentle blue skies and a warming sun,

Spending the morning and lunching with Youngest in his new home

and the snowdrops in my garden are the best they've ever been,

Where does the time go?

Twenty seven years ago give or take a day or two, Himself and I were in a worn around the edges suburban park in Johannesburg. It was uncomfortably hot and sweat was running down my spine and plastering my fringe to my forehead.

We were on a bit of a mission and despite the midday heat, were out walking. I can clearly remember the decommissioned old steam train with countless layers of thick shiny black paint covering every last inch. In spite of the metal being hot to the touch, kids happily played in and on the old monster. Strangely Himself has no recollection of the engine despite him loving trains.

I felt listless and, although normally not supressed by heat, I felt heavy and drained and very uncomfortable.

There'd been very little rain and the grass, though watered by the municipality, had a crunch to it as we walked towards some trees with benches in their shade.  We sat a while, which although being out of the direct sun was no cooler. The stilled air clung around and stuck to our skin, at least whilst we'd been walking, we'd caused a small draft which our sweat drenched bodies were grateful for.

Eventually we turned back towards the car.  Which had the glorious promise of aircon. Himself was careful and concerned and took me back home. I was what felt like 12 months pregnant with our first born son and he was two weeks over due. The ruddy faced midwife had cheerfully told us that walking would shift 'the little lodger' and so we walked, or rather Himself did while I waddled feeling the size of a house.

Sunday was his 27th birthday and we celebrated the best way we knew how - family, food, stories, candles, cake, films, pancakes, cats, gardening and fun.  Happy birthday Eldest !

The only time his feet were small........

A definite lack of rainbows

Being driven home in the dark whilst the car radio on allows my mind to wander. Himself is occupied by the drive and by nature is not a chatty person so I entertain myself with staring out the window.

The windscreen is stained by dried rain splatters and flicked up road dirt. This time of year it seems pointless trying to keep the car clean as every time I drive to and from work, my little white car has filthy streaks trailing down his sides. Yes, my car is male and he has a name - Bob.

In the distance small lights flicker as trees pass between us on the freeway and the farms sprinkled out on the hills. Sunday was a rather long day, we'd spent it with Youngest who'd put our a plea for help laying tiles on his kitchen floor and it turned out to be one of those 'takes longer than you think' jobs.

Storm Herminia was building up as Youngest's lovely girl and I were outside measuring the garden and discussing possible plans and layouts. It just got too wild and windy to linger so we retreated to the house and with mugs of tea and the internet we searched for ideas and inspiration whilst we watched the weather thrash about outside.

Monday was still reeling from the storm and although not as intense as the previous one, the walled garden suffered more damage. So after a meeting I started rescuing obelisks and wooden fence panels and dragging them into the glasshouse where they can dry off, get repaired then return to the garden. Some days at work - regardless at what life throws at me - I step up to the mark and come home satisfied. Then there are some days at work - I just want to shut the gate behind me and throw away the key.

Now, today, I am watching the finest of guti (that dreadful 'Scotch Mist / mizzle / drizzle / mist) that seeps through not just clothing but manages to dampen down through bones and flesh too. 

I know it is the dying days of January but surely we are due some nicer weather? I'd like to think so!

The pictures were snapped on Sunday evening on our drive home

Rain runs a thread through it

 Friday
After days of grey dank with the sky having no colour and mist filling all the spaces, we met up with Youngest and his lovely girl for a walk. We slipped and slid our way across muddy fields, deeply pock marked by sheep feet. I listened and failed to hear any bird song - not even subdued twittering although I watched a couple of flocks of starlings fly overhead in tight clusters. The afternoon stealthily darkened so we cut our walk short and returned. Carefully picking our way back, we finally reached firmer footing. With the mist thickening and the light failing, I was grateful to return to Youngest's home and wrap my fingers around a mug of tea. I know we will walk the route again, but hopefully when the weather is better, the sun is shining and the paths are dry.

*********************

Sunday

Himself and I headed off to the Dales to make the most of the mist finally lifting. We set off in fine fettle, looking forward to getting out and although it felt rather fresh with a frisky breeze (well it was December) it was rather nice to have no commitments and know that the day was ours.

It seemed also to belong to many other walkers as the pathways and parking places were the fullest we'd seen for some weeks. We strode out, listening for bird song, watching for wild life and breathing damp cold air.

The pathway - well trod and muddy in places wound and wove itself alongside the River Wharfe, dipping down to the water's edge, following a farm track away then returning to the riverine margins.

We stopped, sitting on a damp ledge with our boots on a sandy 'beach' and watched three mallards steadily make their way towards us as they battled against the river flow and noticeably increasing winds. They were rewarded as we tossed a few crumbled shortbread crumbs before we continued our walk.  The wind now carried rain droplets and on the other side of the river we watched sheets of rain make their way up the valley. Coats were pulled tighter and hats more firmly yanked down over ears and eyebrows. The inclement weather was winning the battle so we turned away from the river, joined a small quiet road and worked our way back to start. Once in the van, heating on, kettle whistling away cheerfully we watched rain creating runnels down the windscreen. 

***********************

Tuesday

New Year's Eve - and with weather warnings being issued with stern voices we all set off to meet up to celebrate the demise of 2024 - which has been a notable year if only for the tide of life being a double edged sword throwing us mixed fortunes amid small glimmers. With both our boys and their lovely girls, we ate (too much) drank (tea, coffee, tonic water and beer - but not simultaneously!) played board games that both flummoxed and frustrated us with equal measure causing amusement and howls of laughter. We watched fireworks on the television and through the rain streaked windows, listened to music, joked and shared stories, cuddled cats and hugged each other.

Wednesday

Rain, so much rain overnight, rivers flooded and fields drowned. After hugging everyone we returned home - today is the first day of the new year, time to reset and think about returning to normal. Here's hoping that you all find 2025 in a better place.

2025 - please be gentle and kind and far far nicer than your predecessor - thank you.

Belated HaPpY BiRtHdAy!

 I have to admit that even with my newly harnessed 'powers' of reluctantly accepting winter as winter, am finding this dreary transition over to early spring a rather long and drawn out affair.  We seem to drift beneath lingering mediocre grey skies and incessant rain or bitter winds. And yes I know it is the bleak end of the year weatherly speaking - however a blue sky no matter how brittle cold the air is - is more cheerful than the 'nothing' which seems to idle from horizon to horizon. 

A couple of weekends ago we celebrated my Eldest son's birthday - and yes it rained - however we swarmed around the diningroom table and beneath strings of fairy lights and accompanied by candles, ate good food, played board games, laughed and talked and were entertained bossed around by cats. We also tickled goats and played in the garden during a brief but most welcome stay in the weather - now that is what I call a good weekend!

Post script: am I the only one who wants to blog but when I start the words feel trite or the stories not worth sharing? I have over the last couple of weeks, opened the page, thought about what to say (which sounds excellent in my head by the way) only to press delete.

The delight of a warm cat after a rainy day

My last day before returning to work saw Eldest, his lovely girl and I saw us splash and bump our way over the wild and windy moor road to Hebden Bridge. I swear the pot holes and uneven tar has worsened over the last few weeks making it a very bumpy ride.

Storm Henk was doing his worst further south however we were still on the receiving end of blustery and wet weather when we landed. Carefully walking down the steep cobbled steps into the town is an adventure in it's own right when the cobbles are dry, however when they are glistening wet with rivulets of water streaming alongside, even more so! Definitely not a flight of stairs to do on an icy day.

Town was a lot quieter that I thought it would be, probably due to the less than delightful weather. We visited a few of our favourite haunts - We love 'Spirals' and 'Earth Spirit' and often come away with something we have fallen in love with. This time for me, it was a book which I am devouring happily. 

Dashing between shops to try and keep as dry as possible took us to Jules - an absolute gem of a place. Filled with quirky hand thrown pottery from Portugal and unusual pieces of kitchenware - it is somewhere I have been taking the boys since they were small and what pleases me is that they now take their lovely girls and friends. Spreading the joy.

We eventually had to give up - the weather was just not letting up and we were succumbing to the cold and the damp - besides, at home the kettle and woodburner were calling as were these two. Eldest's two kittlings (not young enough to be cats and certainly not kittens any more) lovingly known as 'the boys'.

Who, despite appearing angelic and snoozy in these pictures, can be whirlwind mischief makers at the drop of a hat! They have gone home now and the house is a whole lot quieter without their exuberance and enthusiasm and generosity of purr. 

 

Post Script: the boys are seasoned travellers already - they love their car crate and will jump in as soon as they see it and when they arrive at their destination they make themselves at home within seconds. These lads are amazing little cats.