Soaked to the skin

Reindeer Hugh likes his walks in the enchanted forest and if he doesn't get one each day he gets very grumpy. This morning however after a night of "severe weather warnings" and the potential loss of the covering over our neighbour's scaffolding this looked like being more of a chore than a pleasure. I looked at him and said "if we must" and I rather suspect he looked at me and would have said exactly the same thing except that a) he's too polite and b) he can't talk, well not human talk anyway. So I donned my old blue kagoule and the bright yellow waterproof trousers that date back to the days when Santa used to ride a motor bike. Whilst going through this performance the sky was black except when it was torn by flashes of lightning and thunder echoed around with torrential rain. No sooner had we got outside than the skies cleared, the rain ceased and although there were still very strong winds things seemed to be improving. Such a fool I must have looked, walking down the road dressed like an on shore lifeboat crew member rather than someone out for a morning stroll with a reindeer. But weather is deceptive and by the time we had reached the enchanted forest the wind had turned to a gale and the rain was coming down like a pressure shower. I don't know if you have ever stood under a pressure shower fully clothed but it is not to be recommended especially when the water is cold.
Then came the next problem ---- my trustee blue kagoule had somehow lost its waterproof qualities and was about as effective as a paper bag under the circumstances. Within 5 minutes I was as wet as Hugh as his raincoat leaks as well. he is getting a new one for Christmas but please don't tell him, we want it to be a surprise. A couple of drowned rats we were but far from hanging back he trotted off into the rain and looked as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself. Contrary things reindeer. To add to his pleasure he was soon covered in mud so all in all he felt it had been a pretty good walk although he still doesn't like the bath afterwards. Have you ever tried sharing a bath with a reindeer?
I promised to get a transatlantic reference into this week's post and facebook gives me the opportunity. Our dear friend ML wrote "Owww my latest piercing is infected. I shot pus across the bathroom. Yuck!". Not the image I recall of a young lady who used to babysit for Neil Diamond's family. Maybe this is some new kind of chemical warfare to be used in Iraq or Afghanistan. Get better soon ML - and I won't ask where the piercing is