From N4 to E1

My week in pictures ...

Sunday 23rd - a sky-banner celebrating England's ashes victory passes over North London.


Monday 24th - pest control destroys a wasps' nest under my roof terrace just before the heavens emptied.




Tuesday 25th - back in E1, I spot twins, identically dressed, trundling leopard skin cases along Whitechapel High Street, the redhead in red hot pants, the brunette in black, but I only manage to catch one on camera, so resort to reconstructing the effect in Photoshop.




Wed 26th - a strange configuration of birds pauses on a neighbouring TV aerial. I can't tell what species they are - too plump for starlings.

Fri 28th - a Ramadan poster on my drive to work.

Buddy update

The Royal Vetinary College was hard to find as I made the fatal mistake of taking the M1 instead of the A1(M). Duh. We were over an hour late for our appointment, having circled the South Mimms roundabout on a seemingly endless loop without finding the right exit, but Buddy was uncomplaining despite it being the hottest day of the summer. His only grievance was the hospital's taste in sculpture. He probably expected to fetch up in Wales, as the drive took almost as long. Diagnosis - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or weakened heart muscle; and to avoid risk of further blood clots, treatment is a small dose of aspirin every third day. Almost impossible to make him swallow even the smallest tablet, disguised in treats or direct in mouth, while avoiding stress - to both pet and owner.

Back from the brink ...

A chorus line of Barbie look-alikes celebrating their rescue from a skip, Buddy's amazing recovery (treatment still ongoing) and the withdrawal of my resignation after the most unacceptable aspect of the proposed new regime has been revised. Sometimes you just have to stand up for your principles.

Buddy

Buddy is poorly. He had a stroke or seizure at about 6.00am today and the vet diagnosed a heart murmur later too, which may be the underlying cause. He needs a heart scan next week at a vetinary hospital in Potters Bar and lots of good nursing care at home: I couldn't leave him at the local vet's practice over the weekend - he would have been too distressed. So glad my daughter was at home and cancelled her flight to Edinburgh this morning. We've had him for over six years now. He was a surprise Mother's Day gift from Battersea Dog's Home where he singled himself out from the other moggies by his friendliness, I'm told. I wouldn't have chosen to take on the responsibility of another pet at the time and wouldn't have opted for a tomcat either, but he has proved to be the most affectionate cat I've ever owned and my constant companion at home, following me from room to room. Shredded stair carpet is his one bad point. Here are some pictures of him in happier times.

Engrossed in Springwatch earlier this year, though his favourite programme is Big Cat Watch.

Inviting Jim-next-door in for tea.

See also my Spring post photo: http://splitbyscene.blogspot.com/search/label/spring

Life on the edge

Worms Head, Rhossili, Gower Peninsula

I've been too preoccupied to post to my blog for a while. I resigned from my main job a week ago in protest at proposed changes and have been considering my future. An alternative job offer came today ... I have no head for heights, unlike these Welsh sheep.