February 23rd

We went to The Orange Tree for lunch yesterday.  We were ready to drive there and I put Otis in his pen and secured all the clamps and hooks that hold it shut so that he cannot push the lid up and get trapped.  What did he do? Jumped into his litter tray and did a dump!  There was no way I could leave it until we got back as the smell is dreadful. So I had to don rubber gloves, unlock the pen…Otis immediately jumped out…empty the litter tray, wash it out , dry it and re-fill it and then find and catch Otis and put him back!  I was not best pleased!

Eventually we got there. It was very nice. Tastefully decorated in cream and duck egg. We had a wheel of Camembert between us to start with – this came with home made crust bread, red cabbage cole slaw and caramelised onion chutney.  Then John had roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and carrots. I had guinea fowl cooked three ways which came with dauphinoise potatoes and cabbage. It was beautifully presented. We had two glasses of wine each and the bill was £58 – about US$90.  We will definitely go again.

I am now putting Otis back in his pen when he bites or claws me – he has not been quite so bad today.He plays for hours with a ball of foil and also likes hunting for things in shoes. I put my keys is a shoe and he spent ages trying to hook them out.

Must go and cook a pheasant for Slip’s dinner now!

Febraury 20th

Sorry I have not written lately…Otis is a real handful. He does not give me a moment’s peace. He is either trying to bite or wrestle with my arms as I type or into mischief. He eats like a horse and drinks gallons of water. Hence his litter box needs constant attention!  He is so quick – it is all I can do to stop him escaping out of the patio door when I open it to go outside.

My Marion Foale Veronica cardi is coming along nicely – I would take a photo but Otis will interfere and I don’t want him to pluck at it. Maybe when he is asleep. Funnily enough, my sister in law went to school with Marion Foale.

Sunday we are going out to lunch to The Orange Tree –  we have not been there before.

It has taken me about 20 minutes to type these few lines as Otis keeps hitting the keyboard and making funny characters appear. I am going to feed him and perhaps he will go to sleep!

February 13th

Otis is being very naughty!  He is insistent in coming into the kitchen – he is not allowed in there as John does not like animals in where food is prepared!  As soon as I open the kitchen door, Otis is there! He is so small and he wriggles through the tiniest gap.  He is also watching how the door handles work and I think he will be opening them for himself when he is a bit bigger.

Two small pieces of news – Louisa Harding Luzia and Araucania Malpo and Puelo are all being totally discontinued.  And the Rowan Crochet-Along will start in March. There are four projects to choose from. They all use Rowan Summerlite and the largest one only takes 10 balls. There are four different colour ways  – some bright and some more subdued. Otherwise all quiet here!

Better go – Otis has just stolen a box of rubber bands off my desk!

February 11th

Sorry I have been AWOL.  Otis keeps me very busy. He is into everything and I have to keep an eye on him as there are so many hazards! I do go out of the room and leave him and when I can no longer here him chasing his ball or rushing around I have to go back to see what he is doing – when he is silent it usually means he is up to no good!

My website is down at present – there are problems with the servers. This is very annoying but there is nothing I can do but wait for it to be fixed. If anyone wants anything, just email me.

I am knitting Veronica from Rowan 36.  As much as I love knitting shawls, I realise that I am never going to wear them as I just don’t go anywhere that is suitable. I already have two Veronicas and I do wear them a lot and so I thought a third one would not go amiss. I am knitting it in Rialto 4 Ply held double.

 

Time to get lunch for Otis!  He eats like a horse!

February 7th

Phew!  I am exhausted! Otis is a handful.  He wants to play all the time – my knees ache from kneeling on the hard wooden floor whilst rolling balls at him! He is still wary of Slip but not terrified. I shall let them get to know one another on their own terms.  He did not cry during the night and was sitting on his bed when we got up this morning. He has started his blog – it is here

We are not going out tonight to eat – just for a drink. I can relax as I know Otis is safe in his pen. Tomorrow I am cooking chicken curry from scratch and then apricot and strawberry fool.

Now I must go and have a moment’s peace whilst Otis is sleeping!