Semi-peace
The kids have gone, though the dog remains, that’s why I say semi-peace. Couldn’t quite get the usual lie in this morning as little snapper jaws was enjoying his morning play. I think it was about six that Stephen had him outside for his morning ablutions and again half an hour later when he decided he wanted more. In between times, Riccardo played his favourite game, ie. getting his teeth into anything that moved, namely my arm and fingers. Fortunately, this game was short-lived.
Next it was down to the beach for my morning walk, something I have missed over the weekend. One doesn’t know how lucky one is until they have two youngsters in tow and realise one can’t just march off. The dog, however, is exuberant, with energy to burn and will enjoy a walk of any length. Yesterday we watched Riccardo and an Alsatian in a game of chase. The speed was exceptional. Michael says he does this with any dog he sees. Perhaps he insults these other dogs and darts off, ensuring they will join him in the game he loves so much.
Whilst it was lovely having the kids, it was good to see them go too, just to be able to watch television without a side show going on in front of us, or relax without having to jump up to rescue the cup of milk dangerously close to being tipped over. And Rosie enjoyed her time without them too. She only had her baby for the Saturday and yesterday dropped him with her mother for a kid-free afternoon in Whangarei. I am so thankful those days are behind me. One forgets how busy one can be young children and how there is no personal time during those years.
Yesterday, we gathered some seaweed while down the beach. I spied it as I looked out the sitting-room window. It took me straight back to the days when my kids were small and we would jump on the motorbike to go and shift a mob of sheep. This time, being in a suburban area, we drove the kids to the beach in the car and then popped them on the bike when on the beach. They had fun loading up the trailer. Living on an orchard, bikes are not a novelty to these two, but picking up the seaweed was.
The weekend did go quickly, I must admit, but it was certainly nice when the parents arrived. Suddenly, the onus wasn’t on me, for conversation, for cups of milk, for entertainment.
As I write this, we are having a minor emergency. Riccardo has disappeared, last seen wandering off with one of the neighbouring dogs. We have kept a close eye on him the last few days and he has always returned when we have called him, however, this time, there has been no response. It is a worry when the dog is not yours. Michael is out surfing and will pick him up later. That is if he can be found. Stephen is out driving the neighbourhood now. I did join him myself, but we had no luck, so Stephen is trying further afield. Riccardo has blown his bridges. There won’t be any leniency when he returns. He will remain chained up until Michael gets here. But please return first. HE HAS BEEN FOUND. Five minutes after writing this, and Stephen returning empty-handed, I spied Riccardo slinking up the neighbour’s driveway. That means, he had probably been on the road. Thank heavens he is safe.