I honestly thought Charles and James were joking this morning when they told me that we wouldn't be leaving NY today because all UK airports are closed due to a cloud of volcanic ash stuff from Iceland. But then the sickening realisation set in. We really were not going anywhere today, or indeed for the next few days as we were unable to book another flight until Monday evening.
I should point out that this has only been achieved at considerable cost, which added to the additional nights in the hotel, mean that out finances are now sorely stretched.
It took a while for us to get out heads round the implications of this delay and our primary concern was THE GIRLS. Paul and Annie have to leave Longfram tomorrow to return to Brackley, so we have asked dannymatt to take them to his place for a few days and he has very kindly agreed. He will understand that despite the fact that I know they will be well cared for and will certainly enjoy the company of Isla and Maggie Mae (although they will undoubtedly be jealous of their new haircuts) I am still beside myself with anxiety. How will they settle? Will they be stressed and nervous? Will they remember to go out for pees and poops? Will they sleep through the night? Will dannymatt still be our friend when this is over? Will they ever trust us again?
I am honestly frantic with worry and, if there is any further delay, will be rowing across the Atlantic to get back to them.
We've tried very hard to make the most of the extra time - and will continue to do so for the next few days. This morning we visited the Top of the Rock and Grand Central Station after a late breakfast at the Bread factory.
We shopped a bit this afternoon, taking full advantage of 40% discount at Kenneth Cole, then had a tour of NBC before grabbing pizza to scoff in the hotel.
We're probably going to have an early night and haven't really decided what we're doing tomorrow. We keep hoping that BA may actually make contact and and that they will let us know that we can return earlier than Monday, but that looks like a slim hope really. What we don't want is for this to take the edge off what has been a truly fabulous holiday, and to be honest, if it wasn't for the girls I wouldn't be too bothered about the extra days.
Dannymatt - we can't thank you enough. I just want you to remember that they may well be quite stressed. They are really good little things usually, but I honestly cannot predict how they will be with you. TELL THEM I LOVE THEM!
LILY & ROSE
Here are some photos of Lily & Rose. There are a few from the first time we saw them when they were just 4 weeks old. They would fit on your hand at this age and didn't look much like westies!
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Ok...well the first thing I want to say is they ARE NOT stressed. Smooth handover exactly on time and an air conditioned ride home in a BMW which they both commented upon favourably. They are running around like mad idiots all. Rose has learned that she can not walk on pond water unlike ours and has needed the first shower. One of them has (as you rightly pointed out in the user guide) taken her honest ease in the kitchen discovered by Andrew who promptly stood in it. Cathy quickly got it all under control and now wants a puppy. The reply took less than a New York minute. Cathy is currently reading the Westie User guide very carefully, occasionally raising her head to make such comments as "good grief these dogs live the high life" and "I'm not getting up at 6 o'clock...mum can". The girls love the stairs so you need to get some installed, now that they have learned to negotiate the descent and I'm making a photo record of the fun we're all having. Cathy has reiterated her wish to have a puppy for her 14th birthday having showered and groomed them both. The answer is surprisingly the same.
ReplyDeleteA very shaggy dog story pt2
ReplyDeleteI went to Iceland for some frozen goods this morning and they asked me if I wanted any ash back. Oh to be stuck in New York eh? Nothing to do, nowhere to go, nothing to see. Waking up in the city that never sleeps...what a drag.....too many snags. Meanwhile two shaggy, shower fresh hippie types are having a ball running upstairs, downstairs in my lady's chamber pausing only occasionally to learn some bad holiday habits from their mod suedehead friends to show mummy on her return...cos mummy won't mind will she? Nooo! Cos mummy has been away on her holidays too, hasn't she? Yeees!
All Quiet on the Westie Front...
ReplyDelete...Rose (re Christened Gizbo after Gremlins on account of the ears) flaked out on sofa (at the invitation of our two – and not a practice usually condoned in this household - ahem). When we questioned the girls about this they gave us a couple of surly over the shoulder looks as if to say “We’re on our hols too......in New York, North Tyneside”... LilyPad (dead ringer for Maggie Mae)on the lounge floor watching “Brassed Off” on E4+1.............yes it’s that late ladies. Cue another withering “we’re on a break” look and then follow Neil into the kitchen to get another beer. Neil I mean, not the girls. They’re sharing the Chablis currently on offer at Tescos. Every tipple helps.
I’ve taken some great shots today mainly of Cathy and the pups but pup whisperer has bu**ered off to a sleep over leaving us to read the manual. We got a quick lesson in the Chicken and Rice a la Fram recipe before she went and then she was off ...... “Toodles......be back to see MY girls first thing!”...........MY GIRLS???????
Don’t want to worry you or anything but its a mutual lerv thang!
Word of advice on the diet...stick to dried food. The pups will empty their bowels less frequently and more or less to order; the resultant doggy do will be a more consistent (according to the Bristol Stool Chart) less malodorous stool (as G McKeith might put it) and .........well....I have to report, before you read it in the New York Times that the girls conducted a well executed SWS (Special Westie Service) mid afternoon raid on the “Wag” dried food bag hidden in the conservatory and found it very satisfactory to say the least.... unless the smiles were of the “we ate the forbidden fruit so yah boo sucks to you city folk” variety...wait....its silent now
Sshh....sleep little babies do not cry......and I will sing a lullaby.....boy....you've not got long to wait.....long to wait in New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
Theres nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Lets hear it for New York, New York, New York