My bungalow has been invaded by workmen again! The kitchen fitter is here this week to install new units and sink in my utility room. There is a lot of hammering and banging so I hid myself away in the garden room to escape the chaos and do some more work on Steve the Kangaroo (aka Mouse on Skis).
Steve has now had his paint job and is flaunting a nice bronzed patina. He’s quite cute but looks a bit crude on close inspection. Fun art rather than fine art.
It’s dull and very windy here today. Rick always gets a bit lively in high winds and today was no exception. We headed down the driveway to turn left down the avenue when I saw a horse and rider approaching. So I turned around in the opposite direction only to see two more horses waiting at the junction. Rick really goes berserk when he sees horses so I dragged him back up the driveway until the first horse went by. He still barked and spun me round in circles a few times. When the road was clear we set off along the avenue towards the church. Rick was trotting alongside me nicely until a cyclist whizzed by from behind; I almost lost control of Rick who was keen to race after the bike. I wish cyclists would give me a wider berth and some warning; I always ring my bell or sing when I cycle up behind pedestrians.
The rest of the walk was uneventful until we reached the home stretch and a farm tractor came trundling along the road. Was Rick going to ignore the tractor? No, of course not. Another battle to restrain him. Horses, bicycles, tractors – Rick’s favourite antagonists. I was exhausted by the time I got home.
When I live on the farm it was on a lane and walking was a nighmare because no bikes seemed to have bells and I am deaf. The first I knew of their approach was when they passed me. I think bells should be compulsory.
ReplyDeleteBells on bikes are compulsory but it's not compulsory for riders to use them!
DeleteThe kangaroo is quirky. He looks kind of sad. I like him. Sorry to say this but cyclists are the bane of my life when walking. They hardly ever ring bells - that's if they have them. I would stick them all in the village stocks and chuck rotten fruit and vegetables at them - but not you of course - nor Paul. You would receive favourable treatment.
ReplyDeleteWe are very considerate cyclists. We like to walk and drive cars too so we know how annoying some cyclists can be.
DeleteSteve looks very good. The patina is lovely. Will Steve and Dennis be placed in your garden or will they reside inside? My favorite garden center sells garden ornaments. Little did I know, I seem to have a weakness for dragons, now one resides in my garden underneath a dwarf Japanese Maple. Garden whimsy makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how well they would weather outside so I shall keep them indoors for now. My daughter's collection of dragons lives in my attic at the moment.
DeleteSteve is a very good addition to your growing "family", and will go nicely with Dennis - will you display them together? By the way, Amazon sells Das clay, which doesn't need firing, so no excuse to stop now!
ReplyDeleteThe more I read about Rick, the more I remember Duke our rescue dog - he would chase anything that moved, and I needed eyes in the back of my head whenever I took him for a walk. I'll never forget the time he climbed almost to the top of a palm tree in pursuit of an unsuspecting cat - he almost caught it too!
Funnily enough Rick doesn't pay much attention to cats and rabbits. Dennis takes on the appearance of a giant hare next to Steve so I need to keep them apart.
DeleteRe: Rick on windy days. It was the same at school - we all dreaded windy days as the kids were impossible to settle, much like the day after Hallowe'en!
ReplyDeleteWindy here again today so it could be another lively walk this afternoon!
DeleteSteve is very handsome but also pensive. I like him very much.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like him. He's not too bad for a piece of leftover clay.
DeleteI can see in future, large sacks of clay being delivered. I'd better warn your postman.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at how heavy lumps of clay actually are.
DeleteSteve does look a bit sad - think he needs a partner.
ReplyDeletethen I remembered the Knock Knock joke.
DeleteKnock Knock...who's there?....Isabel......Isabel who?.....Isabelle necessary on a bicycle?
(Actually I'm not sure they are compulsory)
It's a strange law, compulsory to be fitted on new bikes when you buy them but nothing to stop you taking them off again. My bike has a pathetic 'ping' so I resort to singing.
DeleteI would also like some method of warning of approach by bikes especially when on a legitimately shared path. But there are a lot of folk who walk, jog and run wearing ear things that must be stopping them from hearing. My 'Good Morning!' is often ignored.
ReplyDeleteMy pet hate - joggers wearing ear things.
DeleteI think Steve is excellent.
ReplyDeleteRe Rick and his behaviour......can I suggest that you watch some of the recent TV programmes, "Dogs behaving ( very) badly".They are on Channel 5. The dog trainer, Graham, seems to sort out some very bad dogs in about 20 minutes. Most of his solutions have the same theme and it might give you some ideas how to make things easier when out with Rick.
We have watched that programme, and the other guy - Caesar. Rick even went to dog school but eventually got expelled. In many ways he behaves perfectly but just overreacts to certain triggers. There is a local dog training centre that we may approach when lockdown is lifted.
DeleteI love your kangaroo. You are very good at this.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol.
DeleteHello Susan,
ReplyDeleteWell, Steve the Kangaroo is impressive now that he has his bronzed look. We are full of admiration for the way in which you can produce such a realistic finish. And, it does make all the difference to the sculpture.
How we adore Rick. His angelic expression clearly hides his more exuberant side but how can one be annoyed let alone angry with such a winning smile?! We think that he could easily get away with murder.
In our teaching days, we always dreaded windy weather. That meant that, in the playground, children would simply run amok buffeted about by the gusts and screaming to make themselves heard above the wind. So, Rick is probably just showing his inner childish self. Perhaps he will grow out of it....perhaps....
Rick is a lovely, affectionate boy but he can be quite difficult to control in certain situations. We forgive him everything though!
DeleteI think Rick is jealous of Steve, so he thought he would make you more attentive when out on a walk! Seriously I know what it is like to be taken off in a spin!! Take care
ReplyDeleteAt least I managed to stay upright - just!!!
DeleteWe have a little whippet - and whippets HATE water. But two days ago he first fell in the canal and then jumped up to his neck in thick mud on the drained section - both times chasing squirrels ... grrr those pesky squirrels, his nemesis!
ReplyDelete#lovemydog!
Rick is quite keen on chasing squirrels too, luckily he can't climb trees.
DeleteYour kangaroo looks as good as any in the shops. Well done. I feel for you being dragged along by Rick. We had a rescue terrier type dog who could haul an adult up a hill if she felt like it however as soon as we put a Halti (headcollar for dogs) on her even our young sons could walk her safely. She didn't like it at first but soon got used to it.
ReplyDeleteThe Halti sounds interesting. Rick wears a harness but it sounds like this could be something a bit different. Most of the time he walks nicely and it's only when he sees a car or bike to chase, he crouches and then leaps up at them.
Delete