Happy New Year!

Woke up to a snowy scene - an icing sugar dusting made for a magical world, sparkling in the winter sun. So jumpers, scarf and boots on and we were off for a walk by the beach. Brrrr - there was a bitter nip in the air. But in spite of the snow and the icy blast, it was busy. Lots of greetings and wishes of a Happy New Year for me and the husband as we strolled along.

Not to be deterred by the weather, some hardy kids were determined to build their sandcastles, as dogs scampered around, barking. Plenty of furrowed brows, though, when one dog walker allowed her hound to poop on the sand without clearing up her pet's mess. No one said a word to her. Why are we so reluctant to challenge people when this happens? Anyway, the smell of vinegar was wafting up nostrils drawing winter walkers to the steamed-up warmth of the fish and chips shops. Ernie Beckett's was packed out. But the bliss of eating hot chips with your fingers (of my left hand - more of which later) was worth waiting for.

Back home and nursing my painful right hand - I was bitten by a dog a couple of days ago - typing, writing, cleaning, cooking and washing up all proved difficult.

As I mentioned, I was bitten by a dog a few days ago. I had been out and about before New Year delivering bits and bobs when the hungry hound decided my fingers would make a tasty snack.
Dripping blood, I hurried into a nearby pharmacy to seek advice (I'm a fan of pharmacists) and the pharmacist said that I needed to go to the hospital. Dogs have filthy mouths, he informed me. So off to the hospiital I went. The last time I had to go to A&E - about 12 years ago - the wait in A&E was horrendous. This time, though, everything was as smooth as silk. I saw the receptionist, then the triage nurse for initial assessment, followed by the doctor, a nurse cleaned and treated the wound and finally I went to the pharmacy for antibiotics. All within about three hours. Everyone was professional and helpful. Full marks to them all, especially at such a busy time of year. 

That night, I asked a postie pal, Roy, for his advice when dealing with dangerous dogs. He simply said - run very quickly, Shona! Mind you, he also said that they have these special forks to deliver the post if there is concern about a dog. But once, he explained, a dog just ate the fork and then chased him all the way down the garden path. 

So because of the bitten hand - coupled with a stinker of a cold - I snuggled down on the sofa to watch the film Some Like It Hot - a classic. Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe are at the top of their game in the cross-dressing rom-com set in the prohibition era. Curtis and Lemmon - a saxophone player and a bass player - witness the St Valentine's day massacre and escape the mob by dressing as women and joining and all-girl band heading south by train for a gig in Florida. Pure joy.

The Big Freeze may be continuing, but in the garden, the snowdrops, crocuses and early daffs have already pushed up through the soil. I know we are meant to hate January and February, but once we clear the shortest day of the year, I really notice the day lengthening and the bulbs coming up.  

I check the emails - lots to answer, but particularly liked the one taking me to the Codalmighty website article on Sid Wheelhouse - the GTFC captain who lost his life in the First World War. It was a great read and well down to George Myerson for his excellent research. One of my photos of Sid's headstone in France was used in the feature, too. You can see the photo on this webste, too, if you go to the War Memorial Project and read the feature on Grimsby Town Football Club.

Later, we took in the final outing of David Tennant's Dr Who. I loved John Simm as the manically demonic Master. In the end, it was Mr Womble, Bernard Cribbins, that did for The Doctor. Boo-hoo. Matt Smith made his appearance. Is it me or are Doctors getting younger?

Like the Prime Minister, David Tennant is a son of the manse - his father was a minister, too.  But people seem more upset by saying farewell to one of those sons of the manse than the other.

1 January 2010