A trip to hospital...Again! along with a few aquistions, some of which I just can't get excited about.

Hello...

Well, where to start. I guess I will just type and see where it takes me.

 

Me and wor Nev

Yesterday I had an appointment over at the University Hospital North Durham and the inflammatory bowel disease clinic. This time around I got to see a doctor, my first time meeting anyone other than a nurse, and it's now been almost a year of having these God-awful symptoms. The doctor was very friendly, informative and reassuring which helped al lot in knowing what exactly the plan was moving forward. 

You see I have been pretty ill with this ulcerative colitis, and since being diagnosed I am now on my third course of steroids, which aren't particularly good for me. The clinic as I think I have mentioned in a previous post had tried me out on some medications, however each time I have been reactive, and had awful side effects. Fingers crossed with some trial and error I can get on something that will keep the symptoms at bay, and also I will be okay on. If these next few treatments don't work, all of which contain mesalamine, well the next course of action is to try out an antibody drug, called Vedolizumab.

As soon as I read my hospital letter that I received yesterday and saw this drug. I just thought "Oh shit I don't want to go on that stuff, it ends in mab", and the last stuff I had to take for almost two years, "Rituximab" which was another antibody treatment for my non-Hodgkin’s made me feel ill This was no word of a lie for about 4 years. Never mind, no good stressing about the unknown. Now I am just very happy I have been able to get out on my bikes, reconnected with an old school friend, and that is Carl, and been out with my other buddies Lee and John. Cycling is such a huge part of my life, and it really does give me head space, whether it's out with friends or on some trail all on me Todd.

Now then what next? Well, I have now got in in my head that as it is taking me so long to manifest my dream home in Scotland and that illusive win on the lottery, mind you I did win the princely sum of £3.90 last week, that I would change tact. So now I am pining for a campervan. This moves me along to my next bit of this blog and something I just can't get excited about. 

So, I have been saving over the last few years. I mean I don't have a vast amount, as I only work part time, plus I have reduced my hours at work, so now have even less. Anyways The Ern decided we should really have a new bathroom fitted. Me, "Mmmmm, either campervan or bathroom". Well, I decided to give in to Ern and I suppose it is a more sensible decision and go halfies on a new bathroom. Omg! How dear is a new bathroom? Saying which the company we have decided to go with has been brilliant, even going as far as to inform us as soon as soon as we entered their showroom that they could save both my dad and I a substantial amount of wonga.

Now I don't know if you are aware of this, but if you are registered disabled, or as I call myself "a professional cripple", you don't have to pay VAT on certain things. No one ever told me this for instance when I bought new cars in the past.

Anyhoo the campervan has had to be put on hold, as my savings have taken a bashing, however that hasn't stopped me looking. I even thought about either selling or trading both Lola and Grandma my respective cars, but that idea soon disappeared in a heartbeat. For the time being I am just going to pine, pine some more and do what I do best and daydream. Something I am very good at doing. I can just picture the scene now travelling about in my campervan, hopefully without the shits of course, as those porta potties aren't ideal. I can see myself up in Scotland, one of my favourite places. Ideally in my head of course I would be retired, and each day would be my own, with no real plans and let destiny take me wherever.

What next, well as if I haven't enough guitars that I think, or hope I am getting somewhat better at playing. I got my eye on yet another, which was on Facebook marketplace. The guitar was a Washburn, a HG12s grand auditorium model. I did some research about the model, and it sounded like a good bit of kit, so I decided to offer the gentleman who had it for sale a very cheeky bid, the guitar being advertised for £200, I offered £150. I wrote a polite message to the seller, informing him he could tell me to "Bog off", however I was over the moon when he replied and said words to the effect of "Go on then I will accept that offer, as I am fed up of time waters". Sorted, we arranged a time for me to go up and pay for and pick up the guitar.

Oh and what looks like a blemish in the images on the pick guard is the original plastic protection that has not been removed. This is guitar has been very well looked after and plays beautifully, obviously better in someone else hands than mine LoL

Washburn HG12s grand auditorium

Washburn HG12s grand auditorium

Beautiful colours of the wood

Cracking guitar

Tuners on the Washburn

Head stock Washburn HG12s

Oh and what looks like a blemish in the images on the pick guard is the original plastic protection that has not been removed. This is guitar has been very well looked after and plays beautifully, obviously better in someone else hands than mine LoL

 

When I arrived at the gentleman’s house I was greeted by his wife and then Graeme, the gentleman who was selling the guitar. Long story short Graeme and I got on very well and shared some interesting banter about all thing’s music and guitars. It turned out Graeme is a guitar tutor, and he was kind enough to give me a few tips, and some great advice. Graeme also told me about the "White Room" which is a musical cafe, venue on Station Road at Stanley which he owns and invited me along sometime. I will definitely take him up on his offer and pay the cafe a visit. I have to say a huge thank you to Graeme and his lovely family for being so welcoming to a bloke that just rocked up at their door to buy something, and for the very kind acceptance of my offer in the purchase of the guitar.

Next... Another purchase, this one to help with my mindset in a way, well in my way of thinking. If you happen to read my blog, you will have read about my dream boards that I have hanging on my bedroom walls. Currently I have three, however I am planning on branching out, plus doing some reorganising. Some of the things I have pinned upon my walls have come to fruition, for example bikes, a new-well refurbished Bartlett Tendon Knee and other bits n bobs. My dad, bless him is always kind enough to print out postcard sized images I gather, these can be all sorts of things, like after mentioned bikes, or houses I see online. Anyhoo I was thinking why don't I research a small printer and discovered a Canon Selphy C1500. It does postcard sized prints 4x6. Very had one advertised on their website with a ink and paper pack, so I decided I would invest. It helps that I could spread the cost, then it doesn't feel like such a big pull out at £170.

 

Canon Selphy C1500, cracking wee printer

Great quality images produced

Just have to make sure there is room at the back for paper to not get jammed

So easy to setup

How the printer arrives in a small neat box

The printer arrived within a few days, and once unboxed it was very easy to setup. The printer connected to my Google Pixel 9 Pro in no time at all and I did a practice print while my dad watched on, The Ern loves new tech gadgets. Upon printing out a black & white image I had taken of Neville and myself I have to say I was very impressed with the speed and quality of the printer and the image. My next plan is to head over to the Toon and get some shots of the urban cows, as I fancy trying some interesting and creative black and white shots, with the cows and the urban back drop.

The next purchase was a spur of the moment one, whilst Ern and I were shopping in Asda. My Phone doesn't have a headphone jack, it is one of those new-fangled Bluetooth things, and I don't trust myself to lose expensive earbuds. So, whilst perusing Asda I got my eyes on some Bluetooth earbuds, they were only a tenner, and once at home, and connected, they sound great to my ears. I bought a mP3 player yonks ago, it is still in its box, and I believe it is Bluetooth enabled so these little earbuds will be grand for when I am out on my bike to listen to a few tunes to.

Bought these from Asda

Canny for the money like

Well, we have now had wor Neville just over a fortnight. He is such a lovely little fella, with a huge personality. I am so pleased I decided to get another dog. In the short space of time he has been with us he has brought us so much joy and laughter.

Wor Nev and Ratty Rat

Nev loves nibbling ears

I thought and wrote this real quick... about wor Little Nev

 

Border Terrorist

"Hello", "hello" projected from your eyes. No need for words your thoughts are wise.

You shine so bright with so much unconditional love, which emanates from deep within.

How you run over to me, all leaps and bounds, excitedly wagging your little tail.

With your infectious smile, and your little bark, hey don't squat there and leave your mark.

You are a ging’a with a grizzled coat, bushy eyebrows and a old man's beard

With small paws, that pitter patter, as you bounce and jump here and there and everywhere.

You love to chase ratty rat, or bite your bear and make him squeak.

You're off to find Mr Stick,  there content to just lie  in the sun and have a chew.

Each time I go to make a cup of tea I have to look all around.

Because your like an assassin and move in close without making a sound.

You have a habit of sneaking up, an apparition that appears sitting at my side.

You always tilt your little head, as if understanding just what I said.

An expression of wisdom on your cute little face, before you are off running in your own little race.

When it's time for a walk, you look all around, suspicious minds, are we being followed.

You're a Border terrorist, with a cunning and devious plan. Now a much-loved member of our clan.

Making Time

"I would say we are all guilty, at times of just letting life get in the way". What do I mean by that statement?
Well, it's just when you get so wrapped up in what is going on in your life. A life that at times you feel you have no control over. You have commitments here, there and everywhere. Everyone wants their pound of flesh from you, and you have constant adverts pushed down your throat at every turn. Then you are told what you can and can't say, and from a young age you are taught to conform and just fit in.

And breathe...

Lee &John

Yesterday for a few hours I had the best time with a couple of my favourite people, my mates John & Lee. We haven't been out cycling together for yonks, and it's because of the after-mentioned "Life" I guess. What with one thing and another, work, health, time and probably at least on my behalf laziness.

A shot by John

John's Cube eBike

So following a brief too and fro of messaging one another, I was well happy that the 3 Amigos would ride once more, even if it wasn't going to be one of our longest adventures.
The morning started with John arriving down at my house, a little introduction to wee Neville, and then we rode over to Lee's. As soon as we all got together the fun began. Heckling one another, laughing, talking about bikes and adventures, sharing memories and basically putting the world to rights.

Lee is becoming quite the oracle of bike set-up and following assisting me with my shoe cleat and riding position, went on to help adjust John's saddle and offer some advice on seat height and foot position upon his bike.

Soon we all headed off, on what was a glorious morning, with the sun shining, the birds singing and 3 blokes pulling the piss out of one another, and of course, anything we felt worthy of having the piss ripped out of upon our ride out.

Today I guess I was an unelected route planner and decided to head over towards Craghead and down towards Fox & Parrot Wood. I wasn't sure if Lee had ever been that way before, and as Lee the proverbial mountain goat was going to be heading off  "Somewhere West", as he put it, on an overnighter in full-on "Stealth mode-avoiding detection", and bivvy out. A local loop, where we could end up in just the right place for Lee to continue. So this route I had planned in my head seemed appropriate.

Lee decided to bring along his camera equipment and shoot some footage. Like myself, he enjoys documenting his adventures and sharing his memories on YouTube. Lee is also quite the accomplished self-taught musician and composer, having produced some amazing stuff. Every now and again, we would stop for a natter and take a drink on board, as wow it was a scorcher—the hottest May on record, I think accordingh to the news. Lee would go on to direct both John and me for his video.

Me of course being the professional actor having now been in a film all about me, well I didn't need any encouragement, and hit all my cues...Lol. I hope you do know I'm jesting... I'm fucking useless and just spout loads of crap, however, sometimes it's really funny crap and I love it when John & Lee chuckle along.

Ickle bridge over stream

It was proper funny when after taking one clip, Lee played it back and I heard him chuckling on camera, he sounded just like Muttley from the Whacky Races cartoon.Riding through and down Fox & Parrot Wood, more photo opportunities and good craic. 

I was on ages trying to figure out where Macro is on my Goole Pixel 9 pro

I say you boys

Love the colour of me bike

Then climbing a short steep hill and then traversing a field where there was a kind of single track. We came out at a farm at Grange Villa, which had a public access route that would lead us into West Pelton, coming out near to where the Jingling Gate restaurant used to be. I see they are building some rather nice houses there now.

What I like about the houses is the view that whoever lives there would have, well as long as they don't build more out the back in the nearby field.
 

We were spoilt today when I think back, however, each of us took on board just how fortunate and grateful we were in some of the countryside we viewed, commenting on the beautiful meadow field, with its flowers and the woods we were approaching, which was yon side of Beamish.

Lee directing himself "Hello, Hello"

As we rode into the woods, it was pretty, with the bright sunshine breaking through the canopy of the trees and dappling the ground beneath us. It suddenly dawned on you, well at least in my mind, " Life doesn't get much better than this". Pain and discomfort out of the window, as I am caught up in the moment, the natural beauty surrounding me, doing one of my favourite things, riding my bike, with the sound of the leaves and twigs crunching and snapping, and of course sharing this with two people that I think the world of. 

Omg! That got a bit mushy there... Lol.

Me on my Santa Cruz Heckler Sl CC

More footage for Lee's video and also some brief local knowledge of what I knew about the area. When I say brief I mean miniscule as I actually don't know much at all, other than that there is an unusual, cone-shaped structure made from what looks like slate. I guess it's a sculpture-type thing. I didn't know how long it's been there or who built it, it's just there. Oh and whilst in the woods the all to familar sound of John "Aww man I don't beluieve it I have dog shit all over me tyre".

John at the sculpture type thing

Glenn at the sculpture

John with a newly discovered Poo stick

Riding through and down the wood we eventually came down to the footpath, which is near the Chester bypass, near Beamish, and I had the next bit of our route in my head.
A cross over the road, and heading down past Beamish Open Air Museum, which I believe is the biggest museum in Europe, I may be wrong and just made that up.

All the way down the bank past the Museums Farm and once down by Beamish Hall we turned Right and got on another trail that would lead us up into Beamish woods, and the rather large pond at the top. 
As we rode up Lee gathering more footage we stopped to admire some bluebells.

Pretty

Pretty Bluebells 

Whilst John was taking snaps of these Lee and I began discussing how as you get older your priorities can change. I am very much on the same level mindset-wise as Lee, in that we both just want to escape,

" The so-called rat race". We feel over the years forced into a corner of what is expected of us, when in reality it makes us miserable. I think that is why cycling, and getting out in nature, either alone or with trusted friends makes such a huge difference. It allows us time to clear our minds, reflect, reset and recharge. Always in the hope that one day we will realise a dream that we can escape and live the life we truly want.

For me my idea is simple, as few commitments as possible, get up each day with no real plans, go where I want, when I want and legally of course do what I want. Everyone by now knows my dream of a house in Scotland, however recently my overactive imagination has been thinking a campervan is the way to go. Get off grid, and have my bike along. I even suggested a hair-brained plan to my dad. Sell our house, buy some land, ideally in a wood, this would be home base if you like. Then get a static caravan, and a campervan, and from there just bugger off and lead a life of complete freedom, meeting folk from all over and each day having a new adventure. I think if my dad had been a bit younger he would have maybe gone along with the flow. I hope in the future I can gather the courage to follow through on my dreams. I hope opportunity comes knocking at my door as it has in the past. Who knows, that is what is exciting about life I guess.

Pond

Another brief stop at the pond, where we watched fish quickly come to the surface and make rippling effects on the glass-like water. The sun shining on the pond and reflected a myriad of flared colours. We could see ducks paddling way off near the reed beds, and then all of a sudden "Harry the Heron" flew in although he looked majestic in flight, his landing in a tree branch looked clumsy, as he bounced up and down, then became static and fixed in place. Not moving like some sort of a statue. Oh, and I'm not sure if his name is even Harry. I mean it could be Bob or Kevin, for all I know, it's just what I called him upon seeing him. No pics, unfortunately, as my phone couldn't focus that far away.

Next, a ride up the hill and onto another dusty trail, eventualluy coming out at a back road, which we followed as if heading towards Sunnyside, however, we turned off onto another trail way before then. This trail led us to Birkenhead, where the secret gardens and coffee shop is situated. A quick scan of the narrow country lane, which as I recall I tipped a small Morris Marina pickup over into a field when I first passed my car test. It had been raining heavily and I just lost the light back end, then went up and over a grass verge and through a barbed wire fence. Fortunately, the fence stopped my little pickup from going onto its roof. The most expensive part of that mishap was hiring a wagon with a Hi-Ab to lift my car back onto its wheels.  As I recall it only cost me £8 quid at the scrap yard for parts to repair the car.

Anyhoo as we continued on the opposite side of the lane on yet another dusty trail, as I was chatting to Lee, a huge fly went in my gob, and I proceeded to get it stuck right in the back of my throat. I had to stop and then started trying to hack it up. Ewww! I fucking hate it when that happens. So the remainder of my ride home from that point was of me making these awful sounds, which I guess if you are reading this and have ever swallowed a fly will understand what it's like and sounds like, "hack fuckety hack".

Reaching Tanfield Railway and the car park opposite, this is where John & I said our farewell to Lee. Lee not knowing exactly where he was going other than West and John and I heading back home, via the back road at Beamish, cutting down another piece of dusty and fly-strewn trail, where I kept my gob firmly closed. Then we rode back up by Beamish Museum and up Beamish Hills.

I said my goodbyes to John, with a passing comment, man I can remember a ride up this bank into No Place way back with another friend, Carl. It must have been in 2008. Shortly after that ride, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A good few years later I required chemotherapy, and just lately I have been for a checkup as I've had this sore area under my Right arm, with a small lump.

I'm not worried though, and certainly wasn't going to let past ill health, or what may lie in the future get me down, well not at that point, as I had had the most wonderful morning just being with my mates, doing the simplest of things. Nee worries or stress and that is what each and every one of us needs in our lives.

The ride home was easy. I headed up another trail at No Place that would lead me down the Famous Farmers Trail. I had this huge sense of excitement, you see I knew I would get to return to my new wee little mate Neville.

Wor Neville

As I got home my Dad and Nev were in the front garden, my Dad having propped an old gate sideways to keep Nev in. Our front door was open and as I opened the back door little Nev came bouling through the house and ran out to greet me. What a mint little pup he is. I could see the glee in his eyes, his little smiley face as if he was laughing, and at that moment in time I felt so very fortunate. My dad is on the mend and I had shared some time with friends old and now both new.

Okay been writing that real early, it's now 6:15 am time to get up and go and say hello to my ickle buddy, Neville

Big thankyou to John & Lee, with special thanks to John for sharing his pictures.

Say Hello to my little friend!

It has been almost two years to the day since we lost Baxter, our much beloved English Bull Terrier. Baxter had developed kidney failure, and it was so unexpected when we had to assist him out of his pain. As anyone who loves dogs knows, they are not merely dogs, they are so much more, a huge part of your family,  your life, and their unconditional love is second to none.    

To be perfectly honest although the pain of losing a best friend does improve over time I don't think you truly ever get over the loss. What tends to happen is you start reminiscing over all the good times and adventures you may have had and this brings a smile to your face.

The biggest drawback of dog ownership is that they do not live even half as long as we would like them to. That said I have done a bit of thinking on this and the way I figure is that if you can offer a dog a loving home, where he/she can live out their days, well you cannot ask for any more than that, as for a dog, its life will go by at a far different pace to its human companion, hopefully in the knowledge that it is one of the most precious things ever.

Neville & Glenn

So anyhoo, after a fair few months of pondering, "Should I or should I not" get another dog, my dad not being entirely convinced. I decided to bite the bullet and make the decision for both of us. Now I will be honest here, I wanted another English Bull Terrier; however, the cost of the breed has skyrocketed, and no matter how much I like the breed, call me tight, there was no way I was going to be paying upward of £2,000 to £3,000. I also looked at another breed I quite fancied, which was an Australian Cattle Dog, however, there weren't too many of these for sale, plus also expensive and upon research, they needed a lot of exercise and activities to keep them on the straight and narrow.

This is when I decided to start looking at a much smaller type of dog and researched Border Terriers. The size of the wee dogs, their appearance and character appealed to me, and so began looking.

All I said to Ern was, "Okay, I have arranged a viewing of a dog, over at Sunderland", and that was pretty much it. My dad, bless him, who has just come out of the hospital after being poorly with pneumonia, just went along with my plan, something he has done a lot more regularly over the years, instead of trying to convince me otherwise. I know a lot of people will say, and no doubt have "A very special Father". For me this is the case without a sdhadow of a doubt. I am so fortunate to have the Dad I have in my life. I am not just blowing his trumpet here, the number of people I get commenting on what an amazing, great, or special dad I have is unreal. Whether it is neighbours, people I bump into who know my dad or even like when he was in the hospital just the other week and the nurses commented "Your dad is mint, we don't want him to go, he can stay a few more days, as it's been a real pleasure having him on the ward".

Anyhoo I had arranged to pop over to Sunderland to go and view this 4-month-old Grizzle boy on Friday, however as I finished work on Wednesday I decided to send Joanne the owner a quick text message to let her know I was free and could call over anytime. Joanne got straight back in touch and said "Oh you can come over anytime", so following a quick cuppa, Ern and I were off over to Sunderland, following the Sat Nav directions.

We found the house with nee worries and outside were greeted by Joannes's friendly partner, who was in his backyard. I stepped out of Ern's car and greeted the friendly lad, and he replied, "Oh, are you here about the dog"? "Yes" I replied, and he then got up from where he was sitting and said, "Hold on a minute, he is just out back, I will go and get him for you". Well, when the lad returned holding this pup to his chest and then handed him to me, I could tell straight away what a friendly and characterful little chap he was. The Little dog instantly began wagging its small tail and, leaning in as it was half over my shoulder, nibbling my ears and trying to give me kisses. I think that was all the proof I needed that we would get on, and he would be coming home to become my best mate.

Neville & The Ern

My dad and I were then invited into the gentleman's house, and I got to meet Joanne. This couple were extremely friendly and offered good advice, informing me about the pup and his microchip transfer, the Kennel Club registration and whatnot. At the time, I was still holding the wee fella and asked my dad to take over, to which my dad replied, "Okay, I will go and take him and sit in our car". I was thinking "Bloody Hell man Ern I haven't even paid for him yet", so I could tell my dad was also enamoured by this little energetic bundle of fur.

Nev & My Dad

Upon paying for the puppy and getting a written receipt along with the relevant paperwork, I said my goodbyes, thanking Joanne and her partner, and then we were off shopping for puppy stuff. I had seen a small kind of dog house advertised at B&Q that I thought it would be a lot more suitable for under our stairs than the large crate that Baxter used to sleep in. On the drive from Sunderland over to Washington, I informed my dad that I already had a name picked out for our little lad, "Neville" I got the name from one of my favourite authors, Neville Goddard, and you know what, it just fits, with his personality and his looks. Whilst in the car, Neville was all over the shop, wriggling and trying to explore, with the odd jump to try and lick my nose or nibble my ears.

Upon arrival at B&Q, I popped the small collar and leash on that had been kindly provided, and whilst my dad went into the shop, I stood outside with Neville, whilst he bounced all over and  began running running circles on his lead. At least four separate people came over and greeted him, saying what a lovely puppy he looked, and I explained, "Ooh, I have just got him, we haven't even been home yet". I ended up having to order the dog house online as they don't keep them in-store. So it was back in the car, and now a drive to Durham and the Arnison Centre to Pets at Home.

Nev & Glenn

At Pets at Home the staff were all over Neville and one of the store assistants was super helpful in assisting me set up the app on my phone so that `I could get various discounts. We bought a new bed, a bag of puppy food, a Knotty bear, a puppy Nyla bone, oh and two small matching bowls. Then it was time for home.

Upon arrival back at the Johnstone residence, we introduced Neville to his new home. He was super excited and had a good sniff about, then like a good lad used our garden to go to the toilet. Neville also followed either my Dad or myself everywhere, he loves company and interacting with his new humans.

What a playful and friendly little bloke Neville is. I have already got in the habit of looking all around me before stepping off, as he is a lot smaller than what I am used to. As night approached, my Dad had unfolded the large crate and positioned it under our stairs. I popped Neville's new bed and mattress in and had to pretty much keep him held in place as I closed the door, then I placed a blanket over the cage to darken it and keep any drafts out. Man, Nev does not like being put in the crate. He instantly started crying, a range of squeaks and funny barks, actually betraying his small size. Neville's crying went on for some time, however, I left him, as I knew he wouldn't get used to his alone time andwhat would be eventually his safe space if I kept pandering to his outcries. Eventually, he settled down, and I didn't hear a peep out of him until this morning when I went to let him out. Bless him, his bed was wet, but he was so happy to see me at around 6:00 am this morning. I swear he was laughing and smiling, he has such an expressive little face, with what looks like a wee beard.

Letting Nev out, he immediately went into the garden for a wee and then at about 7:00 am I gave him some breakfast and we went for a little tootle around the block, where he was very well-behaved and fairly inquisitive. Getting back home after the short walk, we played some. Neville is brilliant in that you can throw his little new toy bone or his bear, and he will bring them back, so that you can throw them all over again. He also has one of the softest mouths and is very gentle. 

At just after 9:00 am, my friend John came down for me and we headed to our other friend, Lee. A long-awaited mini bike adventure was in store, so I had to leave Nev in his crate, as Ern had gone to get some wood to make some new gates for the front and back of our yards, and my son Kyle had just come in from a night shift. Anyhoo, Kyle rang me about an hour or so into my ride, asking when I was coming back. "What's the Matter like?" I asked. "Oh, Neville is crying", he said and "I'm trying to get some sleep". About fifteen minutes later, another call from wor, Kyle, " It's ok, I have got up and I am looking after Neville". Wor Kyle sat out in the front garden with Nev, and as I was returning home, I had this warm, fuzzy feeling, thinking I had this new thing in my life, weird, yet lovely. When I returned well I spent all day with him.

 

Neville is having a breather

Neville looks tired, I thinks

Neville is a clever little lad, he isn't perfectly house trained, so a few accidents, however in about a day of having him he will now pretty much sit on command. In fact as soon as he sees my hand reach into my pocket he sits and waits. I love his little face, especially his eyebrows as they turn up quizzically at times as if he is thinking of something.

It has been lovely to see my Dad interacting with Neville too, we had a lovely walk this evening, my dad holding Nevill's leash and directing him. We didn't go too far, just from ours over to Burnside and back. My dad has bought Nev an extendable leader and it was really funny watching him tear around the field on his little legs in typical puppy style, without a care in the world.

I haven't been able to get a great deal of photos, Bloody Neville won't stay still long enough.