The Great Escape

So, dinner was just about ready and Andrew called Seb in from the garden so we could settle down. He shouts "Seb, come here!" and Seb barks in response. The bark was distant and small, and carried on the wind - it was not coming from our garden, that's for sure. Yes, he had escaped. Again. The garden has been repeatedly "Seb proofed" over the few years we have lived here, and I really thought we had it sorted, but clearly not.

We try shouting him repeatedly, hoping that he will come back through whatever escape route he used. Seb clearly didn't want to alert us to the escape route, and just helpfully barked every time we called him. This was at least useful is allowing us to work out which garden he was in - unfortunately this garden was in a house backing on to ours, which has no rear access. Andrew therefore had to run to the end of our street, along the road, and then back up the parallel street behind, before ringing a complete strangers door to ask if he could go into their back garden. (Meanwhile I remain in our garden, shouting Seb's name with the aim of at least keeping him in one place so Andrew can locate him.) Andrew goes round to the back of the lady's house to find her husband standing in the middle of the lawn, with a small fluffy dog haring round him in large circles. Seb runs over to greet Andrew before haring off again, and diving in and out the bushes like some crazed beast. No one could catch him, and he was completely ignoring every command (and bribe) on offer.

Eventually I managed to climb on some stones in the rockery and peer over the back fence, where I saw Seb scurrying around in the undergrowth. Shining my torch on him (it was pitch black) he looked rather surprised to see me but rather helpfully ran straight to the spot where he has escaped from in an effort to come and see me (and to retrieve the cheese I was promising). Unfortunately he could not get back through (it was a tiny gap under the fence) but it at least made him stay still long enough for Andrew to get his lead on.

Andrew returned 5 minutes later with a rather exited, yet exhausted little dog. Seb collapsed by the fire for the rest of the evening, clearly worn out with the entire escapade. Just another day in the life of the worlds naughtiest little dog.

p.s I am still feeling ok, and chest is good just now. I am being low key about this good news, as I always seem to jinx things. Suffice to say, I am doing ok.

Squirrels vs Jac
2-0

Some of you may remember me blogging earlier in the year about the squirrels eating all my bird food. I tried many methods, including the RSPB recommended chilli powder, to try and deter them. Eventually I moved the feeder into the middle of my washing line, and this seemed to solve the problem. Not for long though...

A few months ago I witnessed the remarkable flying squirrel..

Psyching up for the flight

The Flight

The Landing (of sorts)

Mmmm....tasty bird seed

I was impressed by the squirrels flying skills but rather annoyed that they had outsmarted me. I decided to move the bird table further back, and again, the problem appeared to be solved.

Until....



Not only have the squirrels mastered the tight rope walk, but they appear to have a well orchestrated system of 'taking turns'! I think a squirrel who goes to that much effort almost deserves to get some bird seed...

n.b. the voice at the start of the clip saying "it looks like it is going to attack" is my mum somewhat over dramatically describing a third squirrel sitting on the hedge. The loud "Shhhhh" is me trying to stop her from commentating for the entire clip.

Stability

Things are fairly stable at the moment, which is just the way I need it to be. I had transplant clinic last week, where the team came to my local hospital and I got the chance to catch up with them. They were overall pleased with my current state of health, and felt that should the call come any time soon, I would be fit enough for the surgery. It's nearly 18months since I was assessed for transplant and they did seem a little surprised that I hadn't even had a false alarm in that time. For those not familiar with transplant lists, it is common for at least 2 people to be called for one set of lungs - this ensures that if the first person is not well enough to undergo the surgery, the lungs do not go to waste and they have a second person ready and waiting. I guess false alarms are good in that you know you have not been forgotten and you also get a trial run, so to speak. However, to be honest I can do without the trial run and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that when the call comes, it's the real one.

I went to the shops with Andrew at the weekend. We were actually just going to look at the bookshop and have a nice coffee, but I spotted a new art and craft shop, so wanted to check it out. We decided to take the wheelchair, as it was quite far from the bookshop, so inside the shop had to use the lift to get to the second floor. I picked up some paint supplies and we were ready to head downstairs to the checkout. Slight problem - in the 10minutes we had been upstairs, the lift had broken and there was now a gathering of wheelchair bound customers and mums with prams all hanging around the lift looking helpless. The shop assistant kindly informed me that the only option now was to carry us all downstairs! I politely informed her that I could in fact walk, so would not be requiring anyone to carry me anywhere. She agreed to this plan, but only on the basis that she would assist me. By assist she meant hanging onto my arm so tight it nearly lost circulation, and holding me back slightly so that I could only descend the stairs at a snails pace. Every time I tried to speed up, she held me back saying "now take your time dear, slow down". It was rather humiliating really, although I'm guessing it was all to do with health and safety rules. Andrew had carried the chair downstairs ahead of us and stood waiting patiently as we made the painfully slow journey. He later asked if I really needed to walk that slowly, or I was just 'putting it on for effect'. As if I would do such a thing! I was relieved when we finally left the shop, but did have to wonder how they planning to get the old lady on the huge motorised scooter down those stairs. Maybe we should have hung around to watch..

I have been doing a little painting again. I finished a canvas that dad asked me to paint months ago, so I think he was quite pleased with that. It was a picture of Glenshedy Rock, in Donegal, which he can see from the golf course on holiday. I have also started some canvases for the dining room, since my pictures no longer go with the new decor. I am trying to pace myself, as I do find it really quite tiring now. I'm not very good at pacing myself though, and end up painting until I suddenly feel quite unwell and need to lie down. It's a learning process and one of these days I'm sure to get the hang of it. Maybe.