My 21st (and 336 months) b'day

Part One.

It was a bright but breezy start to the day here and I had a busy day ahead. First off was a journey to the garage to drop off Sue's car for a service, then on to get Alfie and drop him off at the vets.

These things done it was time to take Aphrodite and Oscar for their walk. We decided on Wyre Forest. By now the wind had dropped and it was getting warm so we loaded them into the car (once I had stopped Oscar going cracker dog, he does LOVE his walks)
They amused themselves on the journey by playing their favorite travel games, 'make has many smeary nose prints on Dad's rear screen as possible' and 'let's give the car behind our cute look'.
We arrived at one of the several car parks in the Wyre Forest and set off for the walk (Sue is a tad unfit so we had to do the shortest one).




We had only turned the first corner when we met up with another couple enjoying a dog walk who were returning to their car. The lady told us about a Lurcher that had literally dropped down on their door step one bonfire night many years ago. Some local travelers had dumped her in the forest and the dog warden had been trying for 5 weeks to catch her. The couple think she came to their door because she was afraid of the fireworks. She was an elderly dog but they managed to feed her up and get her health problems sorted. They had her for about two years before she went to the bridge.
Is it just me or do you hug your dogs just that bit tighter every time you hear a story of another dog who suffered?

We had a very good walk, both our happy hounds took it in turns to have runs off the lead. Aphrodite got her normal 10/10 for recall, wait etc. Oscar got a below average 7/10 for his behavior because he decided to run around and around and around one of the BIG drain access (it is were Lesley Whittle was found when she was murdered by the Black Panther) giving me more Grey hairs. He then failed one recall, I had to turn and walk away before he came, but he is much, much better than when we first had him.

When arrived back at the car after over an hour, both dogs were covered in mud and looking very pleased with themselves.

Part Two

They had both dried out by the time we got home, although Nichole had a new perfume Eau De Wet Whippet(available at all bad Perfumers) so I gave them both a good brushing, Aphrodite did her usual vanishing act at the site of the brush while Oscar did his Tigger impression, bouncing one one let and thinking "Me, Me, Me" they then settled down to sleep, only to jump up and wait by the door when John and I got our buckets out to wash the car's.



It took 3 hours to wash, polish and hoover the two cars to a good standard and we finished just in time because Sue had arrange for a beautiful (and very yummie) birthday cake to arrive. It was hand made by one of her friends from work.



Shelia, Sue's Mum and our week day dog sitter arrived a few minutes later (her cake sensors must have been on high alert) and we settled down to tea, cake and a chat.
Discretion being the better part of valor Sue decided not to attempt to put a full complement of candles on my cake, last year they took all of the oxygen out of the room and we were all near asphexiated.......

Part Three

After tea it was time to get ready to go to my work mates (the one with cancer) 65th surprise birthday party at the Royal Forester. It was a family and very close friend only do which i had known about for weeks and had managed to keep quiet about despite Neville saying "I wish you would come for a drink on my birthday" and "why can you not come out?"

We all had to arrive before 7:15 pm and we sat waiting for the main man to arrive (he though our boss, his brother in law was just taking him out for a quick pint). Nev's stunned look has he stepped through the door only to be serenaded by party poppers and a huge shout of "SURPRISE" was some thing I will never forget. He was sooooo moved by it all he started to cry. After his family had all hugged him, his wife said "Neville, your best mate is here too" all of his family stood aside and he walked to wards me has our boss said "folks, this is the guy who keeps Neville able to come to work" I must have gone 20 shades of red. Neville gave me a huge hug and everyone cheered!!!!






Nev and Anita his sister (my other boss)


Nev grew up on a farm and is a butcher by trade so a tractor had been arranged for him to have a go on! He seemed to be in his eliment.........



The cake was ablaze but the waitress dealt with it very well


Nev shows his skill with a knife........



We had a fantastic time, the food was fab and the company great. A perfect end to a perfect day.

John you deserved the accolade xxxx