Sorting out the Olympics is easier.
This afternoon I started buying " Thank you" gifts for the people that are doing jobs for us when I leave for Australia.
Albert's House sitter, the chicken carers, Norma who is spoiling Winnie, Sister Jan who is boarding George, Eirlys who is taking William to and from the kennels, and sister in law Jayne who is taking me to the airport all have been bought bespoke gifts all gaily set out in brown paper carrier bags. Each person will also get a small flowering plants and a card.........
What I lack in expense , I make up in style!
Btw...teenage boffin Cameron who is shutting up the animals at night is no fool....he wants hard cash!
Lol
In the middle of sorting all this out I could hear the two dozen or so sparrows chattering away from their roosting place in the honeysuckle over the front door.....it was dusk and they were settling down for the night
I crept in from the kitchen to film William patiently watching their every movement....he sat like this until it went dark and the bickering finally stopped
What lovely gifts. We like to do something similar though I love your idea of a small flowering plant. If we lived near you, we'd gladly volunteer for some task!
ReplyDeleteLove the William video...he is intently watching! I'd love to know what they are thinking in their head....
Welsh terriers are renown to stand and watch quietly its a breed trait
DeleteYou said I was getting a koala!!!! xx
ReplyDeleteThats too...you will have a big pressie seeing i've got ypu up at the crack of dawn
DeleteThank fuck you are back to normal. I wish I was.
ReplyDeleteNow rach, when WAS the last time you were " normal"? X
DeleteAbout 1665 by my reckoning.
DeleteWhat neat and thoughtful gifts. I always bring back gifts for people who've helped with animals while I'm on holiday. Your idea is better - will try this next time. I love William watching the sparrows. xx
ReplyDeleteguys just don't understand, john. to them, everything happens magically!
ReplyDeleteNice gifts John. Funnily enough, whilst drinking a cold beer in the French sunshine today, I mentioned to Paul that 'John Gray is off to Oz soon' and he said, "Who will look after all his animals and chickens?" and I said "I'm sure he's got it all organised." I was right.
ReplyDeleteThat rather moved me sue x
DeleteThose are lovely gifts. William is a cutie!
ReplyDeleteFab gifts John you are very thoughtful, William is a doll xx
ReplyDeletePs If I was nearer I'd love to have Winnie for you, my 10 year old is a big fan, he often asks me 'what's Winnie been up to?'.He always enjoys hearing about her antics, especially if the word shit is involved, must be his age ;) ......
ReplyDeleteAnd id be happy she went with u x
DeleteWhat William was watching was far more captivating than "The Great British Bake Off".
ReplyDeleteBut not as exciting as the walking dead
DeleteNo spoilers! We're just starting the 5th season tomorrow...
DeleteFunny but true, the Great Scot has gotten so hooked on TWD (thanks to you) that when the discs were delivered he started dancing and singing, lol.
That boy does his job well, securing the front door against the errant sparrow.
ReplyDeleteHe is such a sweet natured soul.......i swear he smiles when the phone rings
DeleteOrganizing it all, someone has got to do it. 17 hotel nights in 13 different hotels, I booked all but one. Wish we were all close by to help out so you can get away for a few days.
ReplyDeleteThere is a man that knows
DeleteOh, John. You are just the nicest man. Your friends, your village, your family of humans and other creatures- they are so lucky to have you. And so are we.
ReplyDeleteSweetie x
DeleteLove your organisation skills. And your big heart. Your big, soft heart.
ReplyDeleteAnd my big soft head
DeleteI think William could teach a Scottie a thing or two about sitting patiently!
ReplyDeleteHello dearheart! Long time x
DeletePerhaps they were bickering about gun laws......!
ReplyDeleteStop it!
DeleteHeh, my thoughts exactly. Reminded me a bit of your commenters recently. Probably left shit all over the place as well.
DeleteHusbands always think things happen by magic. I run round like a blue arsed fly doing everything for a fortnight before we go away.....he checks the oil in the car.
ReplyDeleteWe recently had the grandkitty while his ' parents' were away. When they came to collect him they gave us £50 of vouchers for the little local deli/restaurant that we love but don't visit very often as funds are tight. It's not an expensive place so the vouchers will last a while. We were really touched by the thoughtfulness, and as our daughter said ' It was better than a mug with a penis on from Amsterdam'!
ReplyDeleteI love William. Maybe he misses watching Mary?
ReplyDeleteHe loved watching mary simone.......he loves watching things period ....... Funny little dog eh?
DeleteWise move, you'd be hard pressed to find an Australian souvenir that's not made in China.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a village for you and the Prof to go on vacation together! Will you take lots of pictures for us while you are in Aussie Territory?
ReplyDeleteI will miss you .. every morning I read the stories of the village and the pups and it cheers me up. Now I will have to go read the Daily Mail or some such nonsense.
ReplyDeleteHave fun .. don't feel silly if you are overwhelmed with the need to drop in and post how things are in Australia .. have fun. Take lots of photos to share with us .. bye !!
I was expecting to hear "bloody hell" at the end there when you ran into the shrubbery ... and does William not bother the birds, but just sit there and sniff?
ReplyDeleteWhat was the 'explosion' at the end of the video? Sounds like something important was knocked over and broken.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time on your holiday.
I hope you will keep blogging on your trip although I will miss the happenings from the village.
ReplyDeleteEverybody I know kills plants so they all get Gift Cards.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this wasn't intended to be one of your more hilarious posts, but I got a good chuckle out of the surprisingly loud clunk of your running into the bushes. Whatever were you thinking? Please be more careful Down Under, as the bushes there are liable to contain drop bears.
ReplyDeleteBe safe, and enjoy yourself tremendously - we'll leave the light on for you.
ReplyDeleteBecause you are you, John, I am sure there was no shortage of volunteers who wanted to help you with your menagerie. I hope your vacation will be everything you hope it will be. May good weather and good times brighten all your days in Oz.
ReplyDeletehummm be safe and have a nice time
ReplyDeletehttp://melodyjacob1.blogspot.com/2015/08/camel-and-rust.html
thanks for the video John, so touching,
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Just so you are politically correct whilst you are here....Koalas aren't bears.
ReplyDeleteJust shows what a kind and thoughtful person you are!!
ReplyDeleteNo wonder they offer to do these jobs time and time again John - a bit of appreciation goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteLovely photograph of William.
That's lovely x
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful way to say thank you!
ReplyDeleteHubby always gives me a hard time when we leave for a trip---I scrub and scrub EVERYTHING in the house. He says it will just get dusty while we're gone, but I just like coming home to a neat and tidy home. Besides, who wants the burglars to see a mess??? LOL!
A much deserved vacation! Hope it's wonderful for you....how long is that flight?
ReplyDeleteI hope you have the best carefree holiday, you well deserve it dear man.
ReplyDeleteWilliam is a darling ! All the animals will be very well looked after while you're away. There are many of us here who would love the chance to help out. Safe journey and have a great time in Oz John.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful gifts, and hard cash is always welcomed by teenagers :-)
ReplyDeleteWilliam is very good just watching the birds as they settle, Rosy would have been jumping up and down and barking at them ... no wonder none roost near our house!!