The Leaving Hey TanviLove, I should be blogging about ‘re-tyre-ing’ but I don’t really smell that concept. Me: Okay, what do you want to talk about? Can I explain the Leaving instead, as we Guide Dogs go through and past and through it a few times a life-long. Me: That sounds great. Go ahead and I’ll type. Should we eat something first? Me: You just had breakfast. Did I? But I am faint with hunger. Me: Hmmmm, look here is […]
Amazing Grace and the End of an Era
Grace Hangs up Her Harness Grace has retired. Yes. It is officially the end of an era. As of last Thursday my wonderful buddy and fellow academic, my guide in the dark, my morning singing, fox poo rolling, clever, funny, huge hearted, rambunctious, co-traveller in this bonkers journey, has been retired. She has been at my side for seven and a half years, guiding me past the death of my Dad, across the county and through my MA and PhD. […]
In which I am attacked by a speed boat and Grace plunges under a train
I loved Greece.. I really, really did. Only there was one ineey meeny mini bikini moment where it could all have gone a bit well ..I believe the expression is ‘tits up’. We go on this boat to see turtles. We see a turtle. We pootle a bit further around the coast past beautiful coves and cliffs like this. A couple of times the boat stops and everyone jumps off to swim and snorkel. I don’t snorkel anymore but I […]
No Spoilers
Tomorrow the BBC will disclose the identity of the new Doctor Who. For many us in the real world this will be more life changing than royal babies, Zimbabwean election fraud, bedroom tax and even racist buses chugging around London with ‘Go home ++++!’ emblazoned across the sides.
Mixed Emotions
It is hot. Very bloody hot. Not that I am complaining but Grace has a black fur coat and is finding it all a little much. She is floppy and there is much panting. Here she is with her homies…hot dogs. Last week we were volunteers at the very cutting edge MIX conference here at Corsham Court. I had volunteered last year when I first arrived in Corsham and it helped me figure out the layout of the campus. Not that […]
Mooning over my Dog!
Dear All, Grace is three today! A winter solstice dog and especially for her an eclipse! a moon eclipse. There was a total eclipse of the sun on my 30th birthday on the summer solstice a few (okay..more than a ‘few’) years ago….freaky huh? Anyway she doth love the snow and eats as much of it as she can reach but working in it is not possible as there are now no defined kerbs and everything smells different and a […]
H’Ash Browns
Why do they keep coming to the door when I am mid nap?Obviously they clutch some kind of Star Trek scanning device to scour flats and houses for people who are in deep slumber (or what I like to term ‘research’.) They ring the bell again and again knowing that the person shambling towards the door is going to be at their most vulnerable, confused and potentially apathetic having been woken up from a deep unconscious and only wanting to […]
Doggedly Trying
Last week I was utterly useless. Utterly. Useless. I sat in front of the computer and couldn’t even find the impetus to fill in my status bar on Facebook. It was something to do with the cold and sleet and the constant audio backdrop of radio news from Haiti; the sound of so much terror and pain. After sitting like someone drugged I would get up and make coffee or walk in circles or stare with exasperation at the huge […]
Wildlife
Obfuscate Series: ‘Shadow dance’ (c)T. Bush 2008 There is a tiny woman with nicotine-blonde, over-curly hair in the side-alley ahead of me. She seems unsure of which pavement to go to and is turning around and around on herself in the middle of the road. She spots me over the roof of the parked cars and immediately her small gnarled face lights up. She leaps forward, forcing me to slow and stop then stoops slightly as if bowing. ‘Isn’t the […]
Attaining Grace
‘How many times have you been shat on by a bird?’ My friend M is gingerly swiping the top of his head with his hand. Its only water dripping from the overhead pub awning but still he looks across at me, his eyes darkening. ‘Well, how many?’ He is insistent and I note his fist is clenched. Startled I shake my head. ‘Errr …nefariously onceI think. Splashed in passing. ‘ ‘Yes yes,’ M leans forward. ‘That’s the usual response.’ His […]