A day off and a daring rescue...

Today I went to Wales, home of my fore-fathers (and mothers). I played frisbees, helped aprecious and Snotty’s friend Di eat her birthday cake, and I went in the river.

I was swimming but not getting anywhere fast like one of those ever-lasting pools. And then the next thing I knew aprecious was wading in, in her wellies and pulling me into shallower waters. You’ll be pleased to know, and I am pleased to report, she got wet through.

But she felt very good about herself.

On the whole, I behaved impeccably!

A proper day off without any work after a very busy period putting in our funding bid for continued core funding from 2015-18. Still a few very busy weeks left before we go on a trip to Germany at Easter. Hopefully, by then things will have settled and I will be able to blip again.

We went to Dobelydr, a Landmark Property in North Wales, to see some pals (and family) of ours - one of whom is 60 this week. We had a lovely day and in spite of Maudulent’s little adventure in the river (not the one in the picture!), all was well. I think she would have been fine because it wasn’t deep down stream but she was trying to swim to us in a little weir-effect created by debris and was getting nowhere fast. It’s only when she’s in water that you realise how little she is. AND I didn’t get that wet - the water just went over the tops of my wellies a bit! (I can totally see how folk throw themselves into raging torrents to rescue animals, though - I don’t remember deciding to go and get Maud, just did it). The really funny thing was that she didn’t let go of her stick! In fact, it was a handy handle to pull her clear! And being a dog she instantly forgot about her moment in peril.

We have Black Roses showing at BYT today and tomorrow, a terrific piece written by Simon Armitage, with the lead taken by Julie Hesmondhalgh. Sophie Lancaster - I was desperate to get the piece to our place because it was a shocking thing - that Sophie was murdered in effect because she was a goth, and it happened in East Lancashire. I’ve had a few emails with Julie too - and she seems absolutely lovely so looking forward to meeting her too. (For those who don’t know Julie by name, she used to play Hayley Cropper in Corrie.)