Meet my new friend

This is Angus.

He is Dick's new companion. Dick is the wonderful man who helps with my garden and his dog, Doc, had to be put down at the end of February.

Angus arrived 2 days ago. He is 13 months old and full of beans. He has bonded well with Dick already, but has a lot to learn. He was with a family who were out all day so popped him in his cage while they were out. I think they were glad to find him a good home.

He is nervous of new people - who can blame him - so barks and backs off. He quickly came to sniff my hand and be stroked. Very early days.

In other good news, Ian, my neighbour who restores antique furniture, came to look at a music cabinet that was damaged when the stair lift was installed. He whisked it away and repaired it in a few hours. He also put back the kitchen blinds that have been down since the new windows were put in. It was a fiddly job but he was determined to do it perfectly.

I took Mum to see the textile exhibition at the Queens Hall this afternoon. Two artists received a grant from the estate of a wonderful embroiderer called Val Stoddart. (Her work is exquisite.) Both artists produced work in response to the Northumberland National Park.

We were rather underwhelmed by the results. One made 3 banners, a bit like  Durham Miners' banners. One is all about the mines............not been coal mining here for many a long year. They are collages and some beautiful embroidery from local embroiderers has been incorporated. On one banner he must have run out of time because two of the collage pieces are attached by open pins. (Health and safety, where are you?)

It had been sunny and the temperature was 21 in Hexham. Amazing.