A pat and a chat with Freddy from Flanders

Up early and a few unavoidable chores done and dusted (no dusting, though), as I had an appointment across town for a routine x-ray for women over 50. As I've been over 50 for more than a decade now, and this is my first 'routine x-ray' I'm not sure what routine they're on. But hey-ho, I'll go with the flow.

I checked out the buses, but as it was dry, I threw caution (and laziness) to the wind, and decided to walk along the canal. I noted where to come off on a piece of paper and forgot the piece of paper. Didn't want to end up at the other end of the canal (Glasgow!) and not notice. But no worries, I asked a lady with a nice wee Westie. The walk took an hour, a bit early for my appointment, so I had a cuppa in a nearby cafe. Unfortunately it had the local radio station on loud. With the shouty presenter and even shoutier ads - how I wished I'd brought my iPod...

However, the walk along the canal was very pleasant. I've been meaning to do this for ages. In parts, you could be in the middle of the countryside. It's inhabited by joggers, dog walkers, cyclists, a couple of swans on a huge big nest (but evidently no cygnets yet) and a family of ducks and six ducklings. I took lots of photos of them, but none as good as the duckling blips I've already seen.

But I did meet this rather charming couple and their huge dog, called Freddy. Had a pat and a chat to find out what breed he was. He's a Bouvier des Flandres, from Belgium, and apparently they're used as police dogs. They were all happy to pose for me. I can only imagine what size of poo bags they'd need to carry for him!

While I was waiting for the x-ray, the same local shouty radio station was on loud. Again I wished I had my iPod with me!

During the x-ray, which was, shall we say, was a tad uncomfortable, the woman doing it kept up a chat about (her) having lived in NZ for a while. Under any other circumstances (say, in a pub) we would have had a good old chinwag, but mostly, when I tried to speak, only a squawk came out. But that's enough information...

I walked back along the canal as well, instead of getting the bus. No- not because I'd forgotten my bus pass again - just because I could. I'm stuffed!

I did make a start on the 20 page pensions form yesterday, and ticked the wrong box by mistake, inevitably. I got out the Twink Tipp -Ex to fix it and then remembered that passport forms mustn't have any Tipp -Exing. I won't tell you the palaver over filling out my form for a new passport. Suffice to say, I got to know the people at the Post Office very well over a few weeks, as I kept being sent away to re-do something else.

I will have another go at it this afternoon. Or maybe I should do the dusting. Or maybe just the sofa, after my energetic day with added x-ray trauma.

Edit (specially for aprecious)

List of annoying things (contd)

Local shouty tinny radio stations on loud in public places.