Joan is back from her holidays in Northumberland where she has been visiting her son and has sent two photographs taken with her new camera , entitled Rainbow Arch and Early Morning at Lower Newton . Well worth clicking on the pictures to enlarge . The beach reminds me of our day trip there a few weeks ago when Alice went crazy and had a lovely day on the same spot . Great to see Joan back ....Today was a bit different on the Alice front . There are days when she really doesnt fancy a walk . It may have been the slight dampness in the atmosphere when she ventured out after a lie in , at seven . She sniffs the air gingerly as she prances her way down the yard , looking back over her shoulder at me all the way , as in " Do I have to go ? " " Really ? " Reaches the bottom of the yard , turns to look at me full on , then before squatting , hesitates one final time as if " Cant I just do it on the carpet ?" Her normal modus operandi , ie on a dry day , is so so different , stretching fully then hurling herself at full pelt , squats , checks youre watching , flies back in , then stands at the hall cupboard door for her Reward .
So this morning , post wee , all breakfasted , whiskers wiped on her duvet , she' s back on the sofa and she hears D start mentioning the time of the morning walk with me . I am early at work so wont be accompanying . She glances at us , at the window ( rain ) and pushes her head firmly under the dusky pink suede effect cushion . She wriggles her body , pushing further . If Im right in under this cushion , and no one can see my head , I'm not really here , and there will be No Walk .
I go about my morning preparations , breakfast tray , coffee , ironing , collecting reports , packing bag , etc etc . Dog stays quiet . No movement . D is on his pc in his office . Then for some reason as I plan to leave some word is mentioned that interests her . She forgets that she is In Cognito and the head raises , cushion perched on top . She looks like a Turkish Sultan and as we reach for the camera she becomes embarrased and remembers what this is about . Avoiding the Walk . Down goes the head , and the cushion . Silence , Stillness . There is no dog . No walk .
