General Witterings -
Rosy and the Duke of York

You will recall the Grand Old Duke of York, who, apparently, had ten thousand men.  It's a bit like that here in Briare.  I mentioned that we all went up through a lock in order that the Port du Plaisance could be drained for cleaning purposes ... so when we were up, we were up.

Then, when the cleaning was over and the water level restored, we locked back down into the Port du Plaisance ... and when we were down, we were down.

Now they've decided that as there are floods (and warning of floods) on the Seine, there might also be a problem with the Loire  - so we've all moved back up again.

The pound above the Capitainerie pound has also been drained - I think there are repairs to be made to the top lock.

The Pont Canal is still empty, whilst repairs are being made to the embankments at Chatillion.  There will be some photos of the empty Pont Canal on the website ... soon - I'll let you know when!!

MEANTIME

Fanny the Wooflet continues to use up much of my time.  I work on the principle that if we're out walking, she ain't peeing in the boat.  This strategy is working very well, and it is also fulfilling one of the purposes I had in getting a woof - to get more exercise.

It is noticeable that the number of folk who talk to me in the street has greatly increased.  The general term folk use about my Fanny is 'mignon', which my dictionary translates as 'cute', though other folk say that this is inaccurate - thank goodness!!  I'd hate to be associated with anything that's 'cute'.  Uuggh!!!

In the market on Friday, an attractive young lady, totally ignoring me, dropped to her knees, and fondled my Fanny, and cuddled her.  When she rose she was about to walk off, when I said "Et moi?"

She's putting on weight at the rate of half a kilo a week.  She's been to the vet for her first set of injections, and will be chipped/tattooed in a couple of weeks.

She's not a very good leader at present - she much prefers following.  In the narrow corridor of a narrow boat, she won't lead me along if she's in front - she turns to face me, and then goes backwards.  I'm encouraging her in this, as it could put her in the running to become the first female Black Rod.

We've had a couple of lovely afternoons in the Park, with Jess and Fanny playing together.  Unforgettable sight was Jess jumping a low(ish) stone wall nearly followed by Fanny - who hit it half way up, and then slithered down it to the base - better than a cartoon.  She is either brave or foolish, for she made a couple more attempts at it until we caught up with her and helped her over.

She's been in the canal three times so far - swimming for her is keeping her head above water.

She is very amenable to being inspected, and to having her mouth opened to have stones, bottle tops, plastic and God-knows-what removed.  Jess used to be OK with this, until a vet opened her mouth, popped a pill in and held her until she swallowed it.  After a count of 5 she heaved up all over him and his treatment table, and has resisted human interference with her mouth ever since.

Jess is also very iffy about swing doors - ever since she dawdled through a pair and they closed behind her - trapping her tail ... it even makes MY eyes water, just to think of it!!!!

Many thanks for all the advice that has been e-mailed to me - it is all very much appreciated.

That's all, folks!!

Toodle pip!!

Bill