Belated birthday

Flash was 12 on 16th August. With all the excitement the last few days we only remembered on the next day. So here a shot taken this evening with him on guard in front of the shower, his post whenever we use the sauna.

It's now 16 months since his major cancer/spleen operation and since then we have been thankful for each and every day he is with us. He has slowed down a lot and is getting used to the fact that he has to take it a bit easier. But in just one matter he can't relax. Well in fact, in all matters connected with "duty". He springs to life when duty calls and all the aches and pains are forgotten while he rounds up the chickens or horses. One simply has the feeling he refuses to "give up" - it's his duty to be around.

Daughter Kate posted me a touching link yesterday on the subject - Why Dogs never die. We hope to be able to accompany him on his daily walk for a long time.

On the kidney stone front - after a painless but restless night, managed to get rid of two pretty large stones and three smaller ones. They probably had all jumped out at the same time and got stuck, one of the larger ones was oblong. Certainly no problems today apart from the weather. Again cool and later rainy just as I had started doing some badly needed strimming. So had to abandon that when the rain had got through my pullover.

PS After posting this had to think about cooking something for dinner. Remembered that son J had given me a tin of Harry Ramsden's Mushy Peas some time ago. I have never, as far as I know, ever eaten Mushy Peas even though Norwich Market is famous for its Mushy Pea stall that has sold it for over 60 years, 6 days a week. The thought alone took some courage to open it. Naturally had to do something appropriate to go with it. A dive in the freezer produced some fish and while there are certainly some oven chips in there, I knew an open pack of Swabian Knöpfle (like Spätzle, the Allgäu dish, made of flour and water). Naturally, a beer to wash it down even if mine was diluted with lemonade.
I did eat some of the peas but will try making some pea fritters with the leftovers tomorrow hoping that makes them somewhat more palatable!
See Extra Photo.