Thursday, 9 July 2009

Wally: Thursday 9th July 2009.


Wally has had a chequered past. This is what we know.

Wally was ten years old when we met him. He started out in Falkirk. Wally became the property of Dumphries Council. Many years later he was homed in Nuneaton. No-one knows how he got from Scotland to North Warwickshire. In January of this year Wally was taken in by the Dog's Trust Evesham branch. That's where we met him. We took him for walks. It was great. Then, about a month ago, we were told he had been transferred to the Roden branch to see out his days with all the other old dogs. We couldn't bear the thought of him being holed up there for the rest of his days so we went to see him. The DT persuaded us to give him a go. We were only too happy to do so. They knew he had issues about human food. Agression, that sort of thing, but we felt we could look after him. We collected him last Saturday and brought him home. He showed aggression immediatley.


In every other way Wally has been fine. Good with other dogs and people. Unfortunately, even the prospect of human food is enough to transform him into a completely different dog. We discussed this behaviour with the DT over the 'phone and they concluded that Wally is not a family pet and recommended we take him back so they could give him further training.

We drove him back to Roden on Wednesday morning. The longest drive of our lives. The heart warming/breaking thing was that, as soon as we opened the car door and the smells and sounds of the compound wafted in, his ears pricked up and his tail started to wag. He was happy. We believe it is known as being institutionalised. They say they are going to try to re-train him and find him another home.

Out there somewhere, the f*cker that abused Wally when he was younger is living his/her life. Probably abusing other animals/children/anyone else they can bully.

Right now we are feeling frustrated, inadequate, angry and, y'know, generally stressed.

Imagine how Wally feels?

The Answer, Rescue Rooms, Nottingham: 3rd July 2009.



No, it's not here.



It's next door. Time to nip back to the hotel and get changed.












Two avid fans of The Answer preparing to rawk.



If there's one thing that gets right up our noses, it's people (and not all of them are young) who go to rock gigs and stand there with an arm raised clutching a mobile 'phone or a compact digital camera to take a photo just like this.

Gits.

England Lions v's Australia, New Road, Worcester: 2nd July 2009.


Right. We're agreed. It's a batsman's wicket and that Bret Lee-fella's got no chance.



Out first ball? And that Bret Lee-fella's on a hat-trick?? Bugger.









What a lovely place to watch a bit of cricket.




Yay! Here comes Bob with the refreshments. Or should that be: here comes the refreshments with Bob?









Vicky is no longer a cricket-virgin. Her verdict? A most convivial day out.




Sunday, 5 July 2009

Prescott Mid-Summer Festival: Sunday 28th June '09.


Let's begin at The Start.












It's official. Our favourite car here today.













Lot's of Bugattis and their owners.










Vicky and Howard wish the RS2000 'all the best'. What could possibly go wrong?












Oops.












Grrrrrrrrr-owl.

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Roden Dogs Trust nr Shrewsbury, Sunday 21st June '09.


We've shown you Wally before. He was recently moved from Evesham to Roden to see out his days. We couldn't have that. So this is us telling him we're going to adopt him. Looks impressed dosn't he? We go back to collect him on the 4th July. Gulp. It's a big responsibility. Still, plenty of places for walks in Worcester. Him and Dave can be two old sods together on weekdays and Vicky can keep 'em in line in the evenings and weekends. Should work well then.

The Norton Festival/Classic Revival: Donington Park, Sat 20th June '09.


Right now, men of a certain age
are thinking 'wooargh' in an ever
so slightly orgasmic way.










Perhaps my '75 Honda CB500-4
had some parts in common
with this?
Somehow I doubt it.









Men.
Stood around.
Talking 'bikes.










Big Trev.
Still Big.










About £150k's worth?
Gotta be.











I shaved a bit off here.
Drilled a bit there.

Ooh.

Friday, 5 June 2009

Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb: Sunday 31st May '09.

A lovely day to bring out the crowds.












To paraphrase Ogri:
'It ain't what you drive.......











......it's the way that you drive it'.












We've re-sprayed our Lancer and gone hill climbing (oh yes).











An umbrella-person.
Hill Climb-style.














OK cleverclogs. Wot's this?





Answers on a postcard etc