Well, goodness gracious me - Cathar curries!

Earlier this week saw a large increase in activity around the kitchen with some lovely smells arising from whatever was going on there. The action levels reached a peak on Thursday morning, just before the unexpected arrival of some 13 of my favourite people, all of whom, for some reason, were dressed very strangely.

Soon all was revealed. I turned out that mum and dad were holding a Curry Tiffin lunch for a load of friends and that dressing up in true Indian style was requested. Some people excelled themselves at this challenge whilst others were a little more modest.

Another feature was the application of a large red dot between the eyes - apparently some Indian mark of one's status in society. Even yours truly was not excluded from this but then I suppose that is only right in view of my position in the social hierarchy of this family.

With dad in the role of head chef, some four large vats of curry together with a large assortment side dishes, nibbles, and other delicacies were served up followed by a scrumptious Indian dessert made by Auntie Jo.

Not unexpectedly, bottle stuff was, as usual, in good supply, but strangely there was also a pot of stuff which had various bottlestuffs emptied into it together with all sorts of spices and fruits and then heated up. Apparently this is called mulled wine - a new one on me - and it proved exceedingly popular. I did not get offered any to try so I cannot comment. However, the end result of all this imbibing was that a good time was being had by all.

I didn't manage to sample any of the curries either, but I did manage to snaffle a samosa, a bit of naan bead, and a bit of poppadum when no one was looking and they were yummy.

And now I also have a new best friend - Uncle Stuart and Auntie Jo's son Tom who was over here for Xmas. He is a lovely person and I spent quite a bit of time on his lap and even managed a bit of a snooze whilst I was there.

As I had been up all day organising and then socialising, and as Uncle Tim and Auntie Mary stayed over that night, it was very late by the time I actually hit the sack. Consequently I had a bit of catching up on my sleep to do the next day as well. Come to think of it, I might just need a bit more.

Oh, and by the way, it is three years to the day today that I came to live here in lovely Montazels. Where did those three years go?

Happy New Year everyone.

Frightening objects and an industrial injury

Now as you all know I am a big, brave hunt dog and not much scares me...... but I must admit that occasionally something rather silly does. The other day mum bought a new pair of kitchen tongs - and they frighten the life out of me. Maybe it's because they are purple.

And I have always been a bit worried by the big ceiling fan in the lounge but recently this star thing has appeared dangling below it and that is really scary. I have to sit and stare at it for hours....just in case!

Yesterday my nursing skills were called upon. Basically, dad fell off a ladder in the garage, landed on his head on the concrete floor, and was rapidly leaking blood everywhere. Mum tended to the practical aspects of stopping the blood flow, dressing the wound, and administering brandy whilst I stepped in to administer TLC and maintain a "concussion watch" just in case he had done any real damage.

Glad to say that thanks to our combined efforts he is fine today apart from a small lump on his head and some quite sore bits of body. I think I might need to slip back into an 'elf and safety advisor role to ensure there is no repeat.

Other than that, all is well on the run up to Xmas. Dad has still to buy some more bottle stuff but mum is pretty much on top  of the food situation. I understand we are having "eggs benedict royale" (smoked salmon instead of ham) for Xmas day brekkie so I will look forward to that!


Oh, and by the way, my ringworm has nearly all cleared up and I stop getting the daily daubes soon, thank goodness. And it has been raining for three days now!!!!!!

Being a care assistant turns out to be quite a tiring occupation, so the sofa beckons.

Out of sorts and isolated!

Hello again everyone. Yes, I know that once again it has been over a month since I posted but this time I do have an excuse.

You see, I have been a little out of sorts having come out in a rash in a few places including one that I would rather not go into. Turns out that I have contracted ringworm and it seems that I have caught it from one of my best mates. Now I am not going to name any names as I do not want to be dragged up in front of the Leverson enquiry or anything similar - but you know who you are.  Although the rash is now largely sorted I am banished from contacting any other dogs for a few weeks yet and still get daubed twice daily with this evil smelling (and tasting) liquid. I don't mind that except my mum really should not be asked to handle that part of my anatomy with such frequency (I now have a new name "Willy the Worm").  This is a clue as to where the original rash started!

Other that that things have been pretty quiet as I am not allowed doggy visitors. Mum popped over to see her dad in England for a week so dad and I had a bachelor week together. Then dad popped back to see his dear friend Clive who is very ill, so mum and I had a few days of "cuddle time" together - lovely! Thing is, when one of them is away I have to be even better behaved than normal as I cannot then play one of them off against the other - something I am very adept at.

Suddenly there is a flurry of decorating activity going on with lots of lights being put up, a tree being decorated, and baubles everywhere. I guess it must be that time of year again called Christmass, although judging by the antics of the last few years it ought be be called "Super bottle stuff time" as so much of it gets consumed. Still, another couple of weeks and it will all be over and we can get back to normal.

Will report back soon with a progress report. In the meantime I had better get a bit of rest before the social rigors of the festive season descend upon us.