Sophie enjoys a post walk carrot half.
The mayor arrives. He'd like to borrow the ladder to put up the flags on the war memorial. He was supposed to do it on Saturday but events somehow overtook him. He shrugs his shoulders.
'The Font' has to go to the airport tomorrow. The big car low on fuel. Of course this has to be the day when the fuel delivery drivers are staging a national strike. The petrol station at the supermarket has a large handwritten sign informing customers that it hopes to get more petrol tomorrow.
Angus and the PONs head off in search for a functioning petrol station. Angus thinks this tedious. The PONs view a trip in the car much the same way a human might view a Mediterranean cruise. There is much tail wagging and excited singing.
There has been an incident on the road into town. We get stuck in a queue for ten minutes.
A group of militant fuel truckers have parked their lorries at either end of the bridge over the river. This blocks the traffic and creates gridlock. A man is standing on the parapet giving a speech. Angus mutters under his breath. The words he mutters aren't found in the Baptist hymnal.
We find petrol and fill the tank. Angus and the PONs head off for a well deserved coffee, a bowl of water and a shared croissant. 'Meet the farmers day' has been extended so the inhabitants of the special needs home can enjoy it. Bob and Sophie are hurried past the piglet, geese and miniature sheep. The farmers are at the bar.
Zimbabwean oranges at the greengrocers. Another first.
At the check out the cashier rings up the oranges and a pineapple. '' You certainly know how to choose a good pineapple ' she says as if this is the most natural thing in the world to say. Angus is unsure how to reply. Is it a joke ? Is she serious ? How much skill can there be in choosing a pineapple ? The French often say things that sound bizarre to Anglo-Saxon ears. Angus opts to say 'thank you' and hurries out to the car.
This is the most truthful description of Polish Lowlands I've read. Rather more honest than the ' ideal pet for an apartment dweller ' description we found in one dog book :
12 comments:
You have reminded me why it's good to be in France profonde. I had quite forgotten about the strike. Strike? What strike? (Answer: birds chirping)
Did the farmers ever leave the bar...?
Don't understand the pineapple remark either. Great description of life with a PON. We seem to have mostly working dogs in this area....bored and destructive. It would be good if people would research breeds.
Hari OM
To make such a remark, the commenter must herself have been a good judge of pineapples, else how to know? YAM xx
A perfectly ripe pineapple needs to be golden without green flesh showing at the top...but not too ripe. You obviously made a lucky selection.
An interesting piece about PONs and their history in Scotland. I notice Noah mentions they like to jog, run and swim. Guess you might debate that last activity.
Any PONs that we have had don't swim. They sink. That fur can absorb a LOT of water. Bob and Sophie steer well clear of the pool.
;) can't say the description is spot on. It's not that bad though. There are many Pons that swim and there are many pons that happily live in appartments, and they are not that destructive either, just the opposite. They are loyal to the owner and will stay home with their flock all day, even when that's not good or healthy for them. They still have hearding instincts but few of them work. Cant say how good they would be because they are no longer bred for that ability. They are good watchdog and most bark a lot. Very independent barker, it is highly instinctual to watch over their flock. Dont get one if you dont like barking dogs.
Although active, they can be lazy. Some run with owners, others prefer not to. They are known to exert bursts of energy and sleep or rest in between even when watching over a flock of sheep. My will walk with me for miles, but doesnt run. Will go into water after me, even though she hates it. And is completely nondestructive at home even when bored. Favorite activitied are being a watch dog and barking, eating and going on walks, playing catch.
I recall photos of a previous generation of PONs in Umbria with their black noses resting at the edge of the pool as they unhappily watched their tennis ball bobbing beyond their reach in the water.
Yes, there was the time Angus returned from Moscow and an overjoyed Wilf did a somersault into the 5 metre deep end of the pool. His descent to the bottom was marked by air bubbles coming to the surface. Angus took off his suit jacket , leapt in and recovered one very sorry, very wet and very heavy male PON. He made sure he stood well back after that.
The bit about c-a-t-s seems spot on !
Another string to your bow, Angus, if you can now pick a good pineapple ! Is there no end to your talents?
That's a pretty good description. Merlin is not a swimmer but sure loves a puddle!
Quality pineapple selection may not be the basis for a new career.
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