A right old full house we have of it this week. Both the tall ones that I live with are here plus two more by the names of David and Daniel. These two are apparently called WWOOFers. Something to do with dogs, I presumed, and thought I ought to take them under my paw, but it transpires that WWOOF actually means: Willing Workers On Organic Farms. Turns out that the Australian Laura who was here a short while ago was also a WWOOFer. They seem to get up early enough, put on their working clothes, then all of them head on out and occupy themselves with some chore or other outside until its time to eat. Today I watched them working on the reservoir above the house, building what seems like a small tank for the water to flow into first. I expect it is so that all the mud and other sediments can sink to the bottom before entering the main reservoir. Ingenious really.
The weather has been warm and sunny so I expect the tall ones will soon be needing ti use the reservoir for irrigation purposes.
There are other creatures in the house that are causing me perturbation. Spanish guests downstairs have brought with them two dogs. They are of medium build with long curly hair. Treat the place as thought they own it. She is clearly upset and doesn't know what to make of it, but I'm calm. I've got my eye on them in case they leave their scent in the wrong place.
Yours, from the gantry look out post,
Fergus
The weather forecast this week has predicted sunny days, and certainly the mornings have been sparklingly blue, but the afternoons have been a disappointment with grey clouds rolling into the valley. There has certainly been a need for a warm fire to sit by at night - would that the tall one would light it!
Today, though, we rose above it all and took a walk way into the snow line, venturing up the Lomo de Jabali - where I famously once chased and saw off a large wild boar. The scenery was spectacular, pure white snow, fresh green pine trees and bue skies. As we climbed we could see the afternoon cloud entering the valley below us but we remained firmly in the land of the gods, in sunny splendour. Lunch was taken on a rocky outcrop, after which we descended into the gloom of the valley once more. I was front marker today as I sniffed out the ground ahead for more wild boar. All I could detect were wayward cows with the shaprest horns imagineable, so I saw to it that my tall companions were protected. I got a little agitated when, on arriving at the top of a steep slope of ice, all three of my tall fellow walkers sat down on their backsides and proceeded to slide to the bottom of the incline, propelled only by gravity. She mucked around a little and tried to slide on her back but I think she started to feel the cold towards the end.
Members present at start of trip: three tall ones - Robert, Judith and Alan - plus myself and Ella.
Members present at end of the trip - all those who started it. Had hoped we might lose her, all the more dinner for me. Next time maybe.
Now to catch up with my missed siesta.
Yours, from the dog bed,
Fergus.
I have been cut off this week and it hasn't been very enjoyable. On Monday 7th February the internet went down, and it did not re-surface until Thursday evening. Four days cut off from the outside world and unable to update my Dogblog. I suspect it was something to do with the the deep snow that is sitting on the mountain where the transmitter masts are located - our internet is provided by radio technology, very modern and wireless but at times a victim to the elements.
But surely spring is here. This week, the weather has been perfect, just the sort of conditions you would hope to have in southern Spain in the winter. Georgeously warm sunshine all day long with barely a breath of air movement. Superb. Almond blossom striding across the hillside with ever increasing momentum. Saw out first tiny little violet flower whilst out walking up to local favourite viewing point, La Mezquita.
We have had a female volunteer working with us for two weeks by the name of Laura, as seen being supervised by me in the picture. fergus the Foreman is an epithet I have earned. Laura's from Australia but staying in Barcelona whilst studying to qualify as an architect. Great company she has been, taking me for walks, feeding me the odd biscuit and rubbing my tum. She even made a genuine Aussie barbeque. The two tall ones got her to do some work in the garden, which seemed a bit unfair to me since tummy rubbing can be a demanding occupation. No wonder she's left us.
Not the only one to leave; they both got into the car today but only the shorter one returned. Looks like we might be in for a quiet week.
Yours, in contemplation of spring,
Fergus
Listening to the radio today I was interested to learn that large parts of the UK are being affected by heavy snowfall, schools are closed, buses have stopped running and people are walking the streets in search of snow orientated pleasure. I well remember the few occasions when living in Essex that we were able to enjoy a stroll across the snow covered fields. Ice balls were a problem that afflicted me then, by which I mean the accumulation of ice in my leg pits that grew into a large solid ball and dearly impeded my progress. It is a problem that she doesn't appear to suffer from; I was told that being a girl she doesn't have balls, but I don't see how her gender can have any influence on the build up of frozen water.
Here where I now live in sunny Spain we have been experiencing a good deal of inclement weather, including snow. It seems the whole country has been sieged by torrential rain and high wind, resulting in great damage and in some circumstances, death. Roofs have been blown off and buildings collapsed. In Malaga they had a tornado! With us, things have been bad but no real damage so far, touch wood. A few minor landslides along the road and some lost strands of cane from the terrace shading. Yesterday the rainfall total was in excess of 60mm in 24 hours.
The forcast is for things to settle down a little over the next few days and for the sun to return. This being the case I sincerely hope we take the opportunity of a romp in the snow, which I can see clearly from the terrace. I had better prepare myself for balls of ice.
Yours, from the fireside,
Fergus.
Well, a week has gone by and it seems to me that my alleged parentage of the pups next door has been premature and spurious. When visiting yesterday the brown puppies have grown into fat fluff
balls with increasingly light coloured coats and a splash of white under the chin that clearly marks them as tri-colour whilst I have only brown and black in my coat. I am outraged! I can only surmise that the parents were after some form of maintenance payment. They are certainly off my Christmas card list from now on.
But what of the other women in my life? There is, of course, she who I live with, Ella. Always competing for attention and turning somersaults in order to appear cute. Look at the picture of her and ask yourself how can she compete, with all those wayward white whiskers appearing in her black coat. Then there is the shepherd's sandy coloured dog, Tula. Every morning as we accompany the tall ones on their morning circuit she comes bounding up, full of energy. Quite playful really, but absolutely no discipline or control. It is a daily task of mine to show decorum and discretion.
Watch this video and you will see what I mean, wayward women charging around and multi-tasking all over the place. You see what I have to live with?
Bye for now,
Long suffering Fergus
