Busy Times

Now where shall I start? Honey first I think. She has had her stitches out and all is looking good, BUT she is still reluctant to put much weight on the leg. I think the problem is the splint and bandages which are keeping her foot vertical so she is walking 'en pointe' or toe tips like a ballerina. A bit painful to do it that way! The bandages should be off soon and she will be able to walk on her pads again and be more comfortable. I have had to battle with her about going upstairs. It is obviously awkward for her to go up, and more painful and awkward coming down. Yesterday she actually fell down the last couple of stairs as she lost her balance on 3 legs :-(

I have put the box back to stop her going upstairs during the day just to kip on my bed. Last night I slept on the sofa again so she would sleep downstairs and not try the stairs. She is one stubborn dog and prefers to be near me even if it's painful getting there. I do hope the op is successful this time.

I went to the diabetic clinic with Linda Wednesday. It's a special session for newly diagnosed diabetics and gave us some really useful information. There are two more sessions to go, 2 hours a time. They weighed me in and according to their scales I've lost about 2 kilos/5lbs since I started managing my food better. I've also not shrunk as much as I thought I had, measuring bang on 5ft 4 ( I used to be 0.75 inches taller). I think I should become a bat and sleep hanging upside down to stretch out my spine at night ;-)  I can tell I've lost a bit of weight because the roll below my boobs has shrunk and I can see my belly below now :-( Hopefully I will soon see past that!



Bongo



I am trying to resist scratching. I went out for the day yesterday with my son to Longleat, where I collected a couple of very small but VERY itchy insect bites.

We did not 'do' the stately home, much as I'd love to see the things the eccentric Lord Bath has done to it. We did the 'safari' first with a leisurely drive through the huge paddocks. The animals are mostly blase about cars and stroll around ignoring them.

We had a very close encounter with a large long horned African Bongo (I think it was). He decided to cross the road right in front of us.

He did not move too quickly either.



white rhino



We saw a load of African antelopes and cattle, giraffes, zebra and rhinos. The rhinos were impressive, and luckily for us they were happily grazing.

We drove on and by-passed the monkey enclosure. We could see cars driving through it covered in monkeys, all fiddling with aerials and loving roof racks to hold on to LOL. I value my car too much to risk it.



Tigers



We saw the tigers at play - the dull weather was not condusive to much activity, and they were very lethargic.

We moved on to the lions and they were brilliant. One pride were just sitting around on a mound, but the next enclosure's pride were out in the long grass, perfectly camouflaged, with some cubs frolicking and the male just lying right on the edge of the grass by the road.



Lion



Lion cub



The cars were driving past him only a foot or 2 away from his bum. I did note he'd tucked his tail round the side so it didn't get run over! I did briefly wonder if he was stuffed and placed for the tourists to photograph but his head did move now and then so I think he was real. The cubs were lovely! about half adult size and playful.

The wolves were all lying down in longish grass and barely visible but looked happy. After the safari, we headed to the cafe for some lunch. I had jacket potato with beans and cheese and salad, and a nice coffee. Lovely! After lunch we headed to the Animal Kingdom and smaller animals you can see up close. I spent nearly half an hour in with my favourites, the meerkats.

Our path, which had low open fencing to keep us in, wound its way through the centre of the meerkats den area and the meerkats ran around, through the fencing and across the path, stopping to inspect and sniff bare toes. The secret was to keep moving or you might get a nip! They are such delightful creatures.

There were many other animals, such as porcupine, anteaters, mara and otters - always a delight to see playing.

If anyone is thinking of going, don't bother with the train ride! It is popular with families but everyone who came off it was moaning it was boring.

The last thing we did was go and see the birds of prey flying display. Superb!! Don't miss it! You'll leave loving vultures!

Ah I nearly forgot the deer - herds of fallow and red deer out in the paddocks on safari, and a herd of fallow deer, near the bird of prey display, you can feed.



The deer were so soft and gentle and well used to being fed by visitors, with feed on sale by enclosure.

All in all it was a lovely day out, and I managed all the walking ok, but had had enough by home time. My knees were aching like mad today :-(

It was nice having time with my son too.

Thanks for the company, James xx

I hope you all have a great week ahead. Take care xx