I've been sat at the kitchen table for much of today looking at nursing jobs and agency web sites.
It's an odious task
I literally went goggle eyed by midday and was only saved by the escapee group of young Bullocks who first darted up the lane then sprinted back down with gay abandon .
Glad of the distraction I caught up with them at the livery fields and herded them down to another field with the help of some woman in a small hatchback.
Herding Bullocks in flip flops is not for the faint hearted , and when I eventually got home I had to rinse feet and flops in a bowl of detergent.
The postman arrived soon after and pushed some more cards through the window
" This is bloody ridiculous !" he said showing me this
" More fan mail" he laughed then asked " Where's Mary?"
I panicked a little as she's always hanging out of the window feigning "I'll kill ya, I'll kill ya " when the postie comes, so I went in search of her....
She wasn't far away
It's an odious task
I literally went goggle eyed by midday and was only saved by the escapee group of young Bullocks who first darted up the lane then sprinted back down with gay abandon .
Glad of the distraction I caught up with them at the livery fields and herded them down to another field with the help of some woman in a small hatchback.
Herding Bullocks in flip flops is not for the faint hearted , and when I eventually got home I had to rinse feet and flops in a bowl of detergent.
The postman arrived soon after and pushed some more cards through the window
" This is bloody ridiculous !" he said showing me this
" More fan mail" he laughed then asked " Where's Mary?"
I panicked a little as she's always hanging out of the window feigning "I'll kill ya, I'll kill ya " when the postie comes, so I went in search of her....
She wasn't far away
Ta muchly btw
Herding bullocks in any footwear must not be an easy task. Your doing it in flip flops goes above and beyond just being a good neighbor.Did their owner have a chance to speak with you or know they had escaped? I hope all that reading showed some promising positions that you wouldn't mind having.- Mary
ReplyDeleteRoyal Mail deserves a compliment....
ReplyDeleteIs Wales that small or are you SO famous?
ReplyDeleteYou are SO famous :-)
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Trelawnyd is so small the posties just 'ask around' lol.
ReplyDeleteWhat is "gay abandon" and can only bullocks run that way? How about penguins? Can they also run with "gay abandon"? Camels? Hippos?
ReplyDeleteNow someone should try it without the 'Trelawnyd', and even the 'Gray'. John, Wales.
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of the pair on the table!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome postman! Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor incomplete address nor hyper dog stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds!
You have herded cattle! That makes you a cowboy. I am now going to imagine you singing the next time you herd cattle or take the dogs (and Albert) for a walk:
Git Along Little Doggies!
How lovely to receive fan mail. Soon you will be needing a secretary or an agent to manage it for you. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's simply amazing, that you would get a piece of mail with no more identifying information than that! Crazy.
ReplyDeleteIt's driving the postman doolally
DeleteMary and Albert on the table together is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteOur postmen are wonderful in the UK.
ReplyDeleteMine has to put up with a great deal . He s almost lost fingers with William's letter box obsession
DeleteHerding bullocks in flipflops, now that paints a funny picture. I am smiling about your fan mail reaching you.
ReplyDeleteI love Mary's little face.
ReplyDeleteShe adores just sitting (preferably up high) and watching
DeleteLife with you around is never boring! Someone somewhere with connections needs to put someone somewhere on to you to buy the film rights to your story! That should set you up very comfortably for life and you’d be able to live out your dream right where you are. I’m holding thumbs that your fame will make all of this a possibility.
ReplyDeleteCome on, world, John Gray of Trelawnyd is deserving of our love. Make it happen, please!
Make a boring movie..me chasing bullocks in flip flops x
DeleteHey John
ReplyDeleteLong time reader but first time commenter - thank you for this blog- today has not been kind to me- I am off sick with anxiety and depression and my employers today started formal proceedings to end my contract- have worried about paying the mortgage, bills, eating etc. I am in awe of the fact that you keep up this blog, often poignant, reflective and so very funny- could you not be paid for your writing
Would like to sign up to join your fan club
Siobhan
DeleteWelcome Siobhan sounds as though u need a fan club of your own xx chin up x
Sending you a virtual hug Siobhan...x
DeleteOh Siobhan that sucks - we've been through this with my other half and it is so stressful, I hope you find some light at the end of that tunnel <3
DeleteOh dear - I've just recently learned via your blog what bollocks means. And then you toss out bullocks. I was a confused girl for a bit. Google has helped me to sort it all out. I love the fan mail!!
ReplyDeleteI walked my dogs today in the fields wearing cheap crocs-luckily no poo.Last night new dog pooed in the bedroom & unfortunately was stood in.Poor postman-some people expect just too much from postmen-especially in this heat x
ReplyDeletePs-I think my new is dog looking a bit like Mary as his hair is growing.Someone today said they thought he was similar to a baby airedale x
DeleteI was at first confused as well and like Jill turned to Google. For some strange reason I had a picture of a wild group of teenage boys escaped from school and running down the road. Crazy, I know!
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean you are contemplating going back to work John? You know what I have always told you about writing a book - I really meant it you know - send some of you blog stuff to a magazine - they may easily choose to give you a column. I really mean it.
ReplyDeleteListen To Weaver !
Deletecheers, parsnip
I agree with Weaver and Parsnip! I bet many others do as well.
DeleteHear, hear !!!
DeleteI'd buy your book...
DeleteI'd let u.
DeleteJohn..I've sent you an e card last week via jaqui Lawson website..let me know if it hasn't arrived
ReplyDeleteI got it and the cat cartoon was fun x
DeleteAmazing about the mail. And amusing about the chase :) Just think, if you'd had something more substantial on your feet, they would likely be ruined. Flip flops and feet are easily cleaned!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with finding a position. I would be grieving for lost retirement if it was me. Maybe it's a chance to find work that is less taxing but still fulfilling. I guess that's a variation on the "when one door closes, another door opens" theme.
The grieving will come
DeleteAh, to be so famous! It's August at the beach; we've got a load of young bullocks darting around, too.
ReplyDeleteBollocks? Or Bullocks
DeleteWell, in the States, bullocks are not necessarily castrated... So, either way.
Deleteawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, mary and albert!
ReplyDeleteI had to Google "Herding bullocks" I was thinking of something spelled slightly differently and wondering how you herd those down the street. Maybe you should post a mailing address (there is probably one burred in the old flower show postings.)
ReplyDeleteI can see you as assistant for the cute young vet.
So can I
DeleteLife partner to the vet would be even better then you wouldn't have to work and could stay home in the cottage in domestic bliss.
DeleteAh, a woman with a small hatchback and a load of bullocks. Bullocks in flip-flops. Even more dream-like.
ReplyDeleteAnd not easy on the ear!
DeleteLOVE IT . . .
ReplyDeleteIt is called, Blog Love!
BTW . . . love that Mary look!
ReplyDeleteWork may keep your mind occupied. But I know how great retirement is. You do what you have to do. And if I come into my fortune some day you won't have to work...promise!
ReplyDeleteGoogled herding bullocks and it linked back to your blog. Interesting. Now I also know that bullocks are mature cattle or oxen, yes? Good luck with your future re-employment. You will shine where ever you go. Ranee (MN) USA
ReplyDeleteThey are usually young stock raised for beef
DeleteKnown as steers in the USA
DeletePlease get yourself published!
ReplyDeleteSo many of us are waiting for you to take that step.
What Weaver said. Are you having to go back to work? And yes, I'm sure a book spin-off from your blog would be a great success.
ReplyDeleteOf course the postman knows your address. The fan mail must be pouring in non-stop.
I'm glad I've never had to herd bullocks in my flip-flops. Trying to move a goat is hard enough.
I, too, found bullocks to be a new term, but sorta guessed the bull part suggested cattle which web confirmed is what I always knew as steers (neutered bulls) here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteWorking can keep the mind occupied whatever the motivation, so expect you’re focusing on what keeps each day going which is all we can do sometimes. Sending positive vibes your way!
Oh my goodness. OK, yes a book would be wonderful but it won't put food in the dog bowls. All the best with the work hunt. In the unlikely event that you would consider emigrating, NZ is recruiting 500 nurses right now. And I imagine you have skills that would be transferrable to something else should you choose to. I'm underutilised right now too, stage work aside, and have mixed feelings about working. Meh <3
ReplyDeleteStill reading you blog John, very sorry to hear of your personal upheavals. Always interesting reports here, whether funny, thought-provoking or occasionally sad. As for bullocks, when I worked on a farm aged 17 and several bullocks were charging across a field towards me an old farmer on the other side of a big fence told me "stand yer ground and stare em down!" It worked, but only at the last minute in a cloud of dust and snorting bullocks putting the brakes on (and one terrified 17 year old). Does not work with bulls though.
ReplyDeleteI once found it funny when I helped a farm wife round up stray cattle because she was using a fly swatter and had curlers in her hair. I think flip flops beats that!
ReplyDelete