Rain. Lots of it. Starting with a drizzle as the dogs found their way to the house for breakfast, the heavens opened by mid-morning and it rained for the rest of the day and evening. Our Ken had disconnected the downspouts to the basement pool (better known as the cistern) as a result of the roofing job and rued the loss of water. Still, the gardens are perking and the wells are filled. Charlotte is singularly underwhelmed and is considering her options. She hears Virginia is hot and sunny. Lee spent the day in the kitchen stoking Ken and Ken wandered aimlessly, considering his options. He managed a run to the Village for propane and gas. And there was the gas crisis. The refinery in Dartmouth is closed for routine maintenance. But it appears that someone overlooked the fact that this is the long week end and everyone drives somewhere. By Friday evening there was a gas shortage in HRM and by 5:00 pm, there was no gas at all in Elmsdale or anywhere else from Truro to HRM. Irving NB came to the rescue but it took some time. Many cancelled their long week end plans. Heavy rain and gas shortages do not mitigate for driving trips.
The kennel is less full than anticipated - weather and gas issues curtailed many plans. Jasper the Sheltie arrived and settled in easily as Jasper does. Brunswick and Dylan followed through the gate. Brunswick is not impressed by the weather but quietly managed to check out the big yard and approved. It is a week end of dogs who prefer to use the big yards in singular fashion. Still, Pippa is enjoying Trebia. There is consideration that Dylan might join the pair. He is uncertain of his changed circumstances but is a great little Welsh so will settle. Brunswick is fond of Labs but there is a dearth of Labs this week end so consideration will have to be given options. Buzz, of course, will look after his yard in splendid isolation. Bishop the Boxer is managing nicely. He is looking after his area, eating well and has asked for us to turn off the tap over the kennel - not a rain dog is Sir Bishop. Bentley the Bernese is fine. He is a big fellow and prefers his space uncluttered by dogs and people. He is learning the routine.
The house dogs spent the day on beds in the den, happily listening to the rain and watching golf on the big screen. Piper occasionally got up to chase a put. Patti is keeping a close eye out for Felicia. We have explained that she is off until Tuesday - Patti has yet to accept that fact. There was lots of help in the kitchen. Abigail lobbied for bread dough - didn't happen. May declined a peach but determined that a dried apricot sliver was more palatable. And there were two paws up for the sausages from the butcher across the road. The Norwich have requested that Billy be asked to make Norwich food on a regular basis. Laurel and her family are settled now and are doing well. She is pleased with them and lines them up for inspection, a proud mom. Marguerite's puppies took the day of enforced rest with Airedale aplomb. Snoozing and a little play in their playpen worked for them. There were a couple of short breaks in showers that allowed a quick run on the deck but as rains returned they were happy to be repatriated to the house.
Meals seemed frequent. There was a big breakfast to give Our Ken energy. Pancakes (yogourt based, fluffy and light) and Withrow's homemade breakfast sausage accompanied coffee from the best coffee maker in the world. There had been fruit earlier in the morning. May, in particular, approved the breakfast. Lunch was late but necessary to Our Ken. Lee had made bread dough early in the day so a flatbread was fashioned - caramelized onion, fresh tomatoes, shaved Parmesan and Maldon salt. The dough was also made into round rolls and an apricot and walnut fougasse, all baked on the stone in a hot oven. There has to be some benefit to a rainy day in Belnan, after all. Dinner was a Ken favourite - beef tenderloin, creamed potatoes with caramelized onion, asparagus and a tomato blue cheese casserole. Desserts were plentiful and enjoyed late.
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