Saturday in Canberra

It was very chilly here in Canberra this morning. There was a heavy frost and fog shrouded our home, which is on a prominent hill. I stayed in bed a bit longer than usual after getting the dog some brekky and up and about. I brought her little bed up and put it outside our bedroom and she happily stayed there after a feed and waited for us to get up, which was around  8 am. I was feeling a bit unwell again.

Sheba sleeps in the utility room behind our garage. I heat it up before she goes to bed. The first few nights she complained a little but always a lady, once she got used to it, she sleeps there happily. Now I give her a biccy and pat before she goes down and she likes that. It is one of the most insulated rooms in the house, with a little high window so she gets some natural light most nights. Last night I went back in there after bedtime and she did not complain after I left again.

The toilet training is continuing patiently. I never scold her. We are using positive (loving) training methods and she responds very well, because she is lovely of course. I've put a big bone outside for her which she likes to chew on when she is in our beautiful Italian garden, now dulled by winter but still enchanting to me. Tomorrow I shall sit out there with a glass of red, weather and Mrs Horse, permitting.

As always Mrs Horse was anxious to get moving. We went and looked at a car, and briefly some lounge suites, before stopping at the Asian food shop at Mawson. It is one of her favorite places and when we got home she made some delicious flat noodles with roast pork and broccoli for me. It filled and cheered me no end. As did meeting a couple of former colleagues in the supermarket. One, also retired, assured me there is life after. He is active in the media and scholarship, a Middle East expert and former boss of mine.

Mrs Horse being Mrs Horse wanted to go immediately for a walk on the hills above our house. I would have preferred a little digestion time. But in marriage I have learned best to accommodate where you can, so off we went with Sheba leading the way, walking rather proudly as she likes to do. It's not my best photo but you get the idea...

After quite a long walk on the hills in the sunshine, we had a little nap at home together and got on with various things. It is evening now and Mrs Horse is doing the ironing. Always a dangerous time when she does housework...I shall keep a low profile and do my share.