Brave Babes Battle Bus - Holding our heads up like thistles

[MaryMungoAndMidgies]

I bit the bullet - Come on in, excuse the faint whiff of dog!

The last thread

Thanks Faire,
I'm determined today. Have the fridge full of lovely soft drinks, apple juice and dry ginger is my current fave.

Made it to London. Goodness it's muggy here after the fresh Scottish air!

I am in the local pub in a vair nice part of London..there is a group of young girls behind me and it's like real life made in Chelsea. They aren't even 21 yet and are discussing all their trips overseas,expensive holidays, having to get internships with friends of daddy's etc. Its priceless. They all speak with an upper class drawl and the conversation is peppered with OMG seriously?( saireeusly?), Literally, like I KNOW!. But Mickeeeeeey told Anastasia he wasn't taking her to New York and it was like, totally,OMG, seriously!!!!

Agh lost my post. Stupid phone. Welcome to muggy old London, ma. It can be vair pretentious but I promise we aren't all like that...

I have enjoyed the Scottish exchanges going on on the thread recently. I read them aloud in my head in a very broad Glaswegian accent... Yes I am rather odd.

First day back at work today, absolutely shattered after two hours sleep last night (typical back to work nerves/blues), but was surprisingly productive so that's all good. Had to leave my Lala pup at home though and missed her little nose greatly, luckily my very lovely dog walker popped in around lunchtime to let her out, check on her and give her a fuss. Roll on the flat with the garden that me and mr L are going to move into on the 20th or there abouts tell me this is all going to be ok, or am I making a rash and foolish mistake?!

Sad news, my beloved horse is due to be retired. Can't believe it, went up to ride her yesterday, tried to do up her noseband, she went nuts, reared, broke her swanky lead rope clip and generally was a nightmare. She has a mad swelling on her face a bloody gain so had to ride the insurance pony. I swear if I tried hard enough I could probably touch the floor with my hand whilst aboard. Waiting to hear back from the yard after vet's visit, but I don't think it's looking good for her to stay in work, she is off more than she is on

How is everyone? Sorry not to name check properly but tried to go back and lost my previous post so not going to risk it again.

elba are you ok?

Love to all xx

Ps wry you have my full sympathy. We are surrounded by period puppy dogs! Although at least mine has the use of her limbs for now (and a nose permanently stuck up her bum trying to clean herself, bless her). Hope little miss terrorist is feeling a bit better and you are feeling less stressed.

Pps I know I have said it before, but you Scottish babes could totally join forces and start a sea glass jewellery business!

Ugh, sorry for drunk rambling . I'm ok, just very hungover, tired and sad, no memory of going to bed etc etc. Been in bed most the day. Think I was just overtired, a bit stressed and generally pissed off from work...was planning to get drunk most of the day, it's a weird kind of coping/defence mechanism almost. Not drinking today...think I needed to get it out of my system though, not logical but never mind.

Why my life is like that like, literally OMG every day. Seriously.

Substitute New York for the Toon though.

Oh ma, I don't envy you that mugginess. I do envy that you are sat in a pub in a naice bit o London. Love London.

Bairn and I chilling, quite literally. Where's the sun gone today? Away to make a big pan of pasta, can't leave her for too long, so simple it is.

Oh elba, bless your heart, you sound so tired. It's so hard when the whole team is flat, it creates a atmosphere like no other. You are like me m'dear in that you sit and suck it up. You are no martyr darling, merely a little light in the gloom. It's the easy option to snap back, it's so much harder to sit on your hands. How are you today petal? Big bosies for you, xx

crochet How's your day going? What have you been up to? I'm on coconut water today and have some sparkling elderflower for dinner. How old is your Lab? Sorry I missed your intro, xx

faire the hairy alarm clock is a grand wee pal, one look at her and it is kind of worth it. I hate myself for saying kind of. It's a daily struggle, some days are so ruddy hard that I could roar, and I'm nanoseconds away from that bottle of cider. I feel so shiting selfish about my feelings, I'm not in pain. I don't have two broken arms. I'm not confined to a space equivalent to the loo. I'm not on a strict diet to keep my weight constant (should be). I don't have someone squeezing my anal glands. My life is sweet compared to hers. xx

lala just spotted you've posted, will come back to you as soon as I can my quine, I promise, but must let the Bairn oot for pee, tea, and pain relief, the kraken wakes...xx

lala at least yours is trying to tidy herself up a tidge, mine just lay there looking round at her nethers and looking mournfully at me going "staff - staff? Do summat. I'm leaking!"

That is a big shame about your mare have you heard anything back from the yard? Poor lass, and poor you, that must have been awful for you both.

A garden flat with the new mister? Haud the bus and get everybody aff, I appear to have missed out on a few nuggets of info! Where about? Still Londonshire? And a garden for your hairy bairn, how lovely! Ah lass, none of us can see what's in front o' us, we just have to live for today. I wish you every happiness, ((((((((FlittingIntoANewHoosieBosie)))))) xx

Not inspired by my pasta. I usually like a plainer pasta. Today I yearn for a heavy on the cream, garlic and pancetta pig oot. Not a tossed in olive oil, lemon, parsley, chilli and anchovy one.

ma? Fit are you dining on the night when you're in the big city? Jealous at the lovely choice of grub you'll have. G'wan. Make me weep. xx

wry you do make me laugh! Little Lala doglet has basically been doing the same thing, constant nose up her bum, and then looks at me sadly like 'mum, this is so undignified...' Met someone on our walk today who was totally enamoured with her (it's not hard!), until she decided to lick herself... Sigh. It's a tough life looking after these wee hairy monsters isn't it?!

Yes the flat is still in the shire of London, a few roads away from where I am now. Can't wait to get in, with mr L, who is currently driving home after a 13 hour day, God love him! Expensive, but I hope it will be worth it... We should have a brave babes dinner house warming thing, only with raspberry lemonade and other such delightful sparkling things instead of cocktails! Little l will have the time of her life, her very own garden, and I'll be able to pop home At lunchtime and give her smoochies.

Not heard from the yard yet re the horse. Makes me very sad to think that our partnership is about to come to an end... I have literally loved that girl since I first rode her six years ago... Fingers crossed for good news for her health wise, but sadly I think it is the end of the road for us, riding wise. Trying not to cry.

I am struggling to keep my weary eyes open, going to go down and make a half hearted dinner. Your pasta sounds absolutely amazing wry, and I am now saddened by my soda bread/melted cheese/ham and salad combo, no wonder I am currently the size of a house! (Semi detached, but still!).

elba my darling, are you feeling better?

ma I totally need to know which pub you are in, sounds fab.

Just got out of my bath, going to have snuggles with the yappy one and await mr l's arrival, although I have warned him that I may well be fast asleep. My bed looks so so so inviting right now...

Love to all!

Ps wry if you are partial to a lemony pasta type thing, I had the most amazing one in Italy, it was linguine with buttery lemon oil, parsley, garlic and calamari... I have tried to recreate it many a time, but I realise now that me and cooking are never destined to gel. But as I said, yours sounds absolutely amazing. Although in my book, anchovies are the food of the devil... My dear old dad used to order pizza and ask for EXTRA ANCHOVIES on his and to make sure that they were well and truly mixed into the sauce and under the cheese so we kept our grubby little mitts off of his. I miss him and his Wiley ways... Then again, I don't like marmite either so guessing I am just boring and unadventurous... Enjoy your dinner!

lala sorry to hear about your horse but fab news about the flat and Mr l!! Hope you get a good nights sleep, must be hard to be back to work after the summer off.

ma enjoy London and hope you have a lovely week off!

wry so in awe of your devotion to your lovely pup! Yeah, it's horrible working when everyone is so stressed and demoralised. I hate snapping at anyone or being rude (obviously it happens from time to time, but I feel so guilty after)...in my mind everything works so much more smoothly if we try and get along, accept that we are all under pressure and try and support and build each other up a bit...just seems that others don't see things as you and I do! Maybe I'm just a bit idealistic...

crotchet how are you getting on tonight?

I've had a bath and some food and gone back to bed to watch crap tv and browse holidays (annual leave in two weeks time...can't wait!) Hangover fading but been having hot flushes all day...not great. Very tired and achey, not sure if it's work, drinking or both.

Wasn't just last night I drank...I 'rewarded' myself for being af at my friends by drinking Friday night, was a bit hungover at work Saturday, then thought fuck it and had a glass of wine Saturday night too...would of been more if I didn't have to be back in early Sunday. Then obviously last night happened...stupid really. But I'm af tonight, therapy tomorrow morning then back on nights again.

Hey babes how is everyone doing?

Are you still in London ma? And having fun?

Wry good to see you. What a lucky dog to have you taking care of her. I hope she's feeling better soon.

I'm fine thanks elba, AF. In bed now, about to read my book.
Felt absolutely crap all day, hot flushes here too.

wry my lab girlie is 4, mad as a box of frogs. We had another, almost 12 year old girl who was pts about 6 weeks ago now. Still miss her.

ma enjoy London.

Good night all.

joey! Fit like quine? You keeping fine? Michty, you should see the bypass by the airport and the new Don crossing, it's taking shape faster than most of us ever imagined. I feel like taking a flight somewhere just to view it all from the air! Now we just need a magic wand waved o'er the Haudagain and we're set! xx

lala the calamari linguine sounds divine! Your dad and his anchovy pizza made me smile. That would stop thievery in it's tracks, eh? I never used to like anchovies until a couple of years ago, now I can't get enough of the little buggers. I also really love Marmite and Vegemite. Hope you are now fast apeeps with mister and pup, xx

elba sweet dream tootles, keep thinking about your holidays, have you any plans/dreams about where you'd like to go? Have you a countdown app on your phone? It's a bit daft but I love mine, had one for the horse trials with a pic I took when I was there last year. It just gave me a visual pick-me-up. Hope you have a better night, my dear and hope your morning goes well, xx

crochet aww, four, bless! I love that Labs stay daft for so long, there is nothing like a Lab mad half hour! I am so sorry to hear you lost your old girly bairn, it leaves such an ache in your heart, big bosie for you, from me and bairn. Well done on your AF evening, enjoy your book, xx

ma hope you had a spiffing time, are you tucked up yet or are you still out to play? xx

Off for the last pee run, then catch a few hours in the land of nod, see you all in the morning, xx

wry I'm open to going anywhere with a weeks guaranteed sunshine...found some amazing deals to Turkey (5 star all inclusive for £400 or so) but friend thinks it's too risky. Cyprus is looking like a good option. Any suggestions welcome!

crotchet hope you sleep well and feel better tomorrow.

I'm fighting sleep which is stupid as I'm knackered. Have to be up in six hours.

I was in a pub called The Engineer in Primrose Hill darlings! Didn't eat any lovely grub, can't afford it. Had a reheated curry at my sisters flat. Today, lunch with Boris Johnson ( dear God, please help me to keep my mouth shut) and then afternoon tea at Westminster.....
And then, then, I'm free. Tomorrow it will be cut offs and trainers, my stuff in a rucksack and off to Normandy. The real me!

Room for a small one?

I've been lurking as I've got nothing interesting to say but I think I need to get over myself and join in anyway!

Have a wonderful holiday ma

Hello April! Come on in! I spout about owt as my posts will testify, just feeling I can unload about my day makes all the difference in the world to me. What brings you here m'dear? Tell us a bit about your day, your life, your thoughts, your feelings! Pets most welcome. We have broad shoulders, nowt fazes us and we won't judge. xx

lala how's your bobbo today? What did the vet say? xx

elba I am a big fan of Italy for hols. For the food, folk, scenery, art and history. But probably mostly for the food. And people watching. Nowt like sitting out with a coffee watching some beautiful Italians and the world go by. xx

ma your whole life makes me BoJo!?! Afternoon tea at Westminster? That won't be a dry bap and a stewed cup o tea..
I need to have a full rundown of the goodies on offer so that I may judge whether or not it's worth me turning up for some scran when I go down in November.

I'll chap the door all friendly like, tell 'em ma sent me.

Me? I've been out in the garden with the terrorist again. With dripping on toast. I shit you not. I woke up and had a hankering. Got a pot from the butcher. And some potted heid for me and madam's sandwiches tomorrow.

I am still AF, though still have the want. I am on bitter lemon and tonic with heaps of ice and slices of lime. My failsafe when I can almost pretend it's real. Laters taters, tea and tablet time for bairn, xx

Hmm, well at BoJos place it was salmon on skewers and wee pies and fresh fruit. Not very inspiring. It was however soldier ogling of the highest order. Didn't know where to look first!
House of commons was finger sandwiches with crusts cut off, and some delicious wee fancy cakes. Nae booze at either so had to make a quick visit to the pub with a friendly Squadron Leader!
Shoes were rubbing me like fuck and I couldn't afford a cab( am all for coat and nae knickers) so ended up walking from Chalk Farm tube up Primrose Hill in my stocking feet going ow,ow,ow all the way home
And now the fucking trains are on strike and I need to get to Newhaven for the ferry....

ma Glad you had a feast for the eyes if nae for the face! Fresh fruit is all very well, but finger food needs to be nibbles of calorific tastiness made of unicorn hoof dust and full fat gubbins. Finger sandwiches are fab if they have lovely fillings, I'm partial to anything on that front.

Stocking soles? Up a pavement? I would have roped in a willing, strong solfier for a horsey back. That Squadron Leader must have forgotten to suggest it to you, being blinded by your intellect and beauty, natch!

Hope you've got your roasty tootsies in a pail of cool water. Jeeze that's all you need, a ruddy train strike when do you need to get to Newhaven? Are there any buses? xx

Going to re_route via Brighton and then there is a bus. I got super cheap tickets in advance though so a but worried they will charge me more ...we shall see. I need this holiday. I will swim if I have to!

If they do charge you again, I'm sure you could appeal and get it back. if they don't, well, apart from suffering the wrath of everyone on this bus, I would mention quietly to Boris and Squadron Leader and everyone else you met today. ma there's pals and there's pals.

I rather fancy you will be rowed over in the moonlight in a raft powered by marines. Being fed the leftover finger sandwiches. Having your aching tootsies gently massaged by a strapping, six-packed, six footer.

Crossing my fingers for you quine, you'll get there. xx

wry you DO make me laugh. Loving the being rowed over in the moonlight by marines, while having my tootsies massaged.
Got some cracking blisters to show for today.

Just about to go to bed but wanted to check in.
Love the banter!

Had a good day, and AF too. Could have killed for a glass of wine at 6pm, but resisted and made do with sparkling water in a wine glass.

ma get you, hobnobbing with the likes of BoJo, hopefully the soldier ogling made it worthwhile. hope you get to France

wry how old is your dog, and how much longer will she be caged? Must be a nightmare for both of you.

lala sorry about your horse, hope period pup's ok.

elba how are you doing? You planning that holiday? You deserve it

april welcome, I'm sure you've got lots of interesting stuff to tell us.

Right, bed now for me.

Just lost my post again! Could spit.

crochet glad you had a fine day, well done on the AF!

The Bairn is 10 months old, with another 5 weeks of strict cage rest to go before we can start 5 mins of structured lead walks. I just hope she comes through this mentally unscathed. I have the brain games, the mazes, the love. It's a waiting game. If anything, I think our bond has never been closer as she relies on me for absolutely everything. To be fair though, she hasn't much choice.

I hope by Spring she will be able to go off lead a little, it would be lovely to see her back in her forest again. But hey, if this makes her life pain free, that's enough. xx

april check in tomorrow if you can, hope you've had a good day, xx

I'm off to bed too, early shift tomorrow, dreading going in, I've had such a nice couple of days at home in the sunshine.

ma hope everything is going your way and that the fates smile on you, bonnes vacances, at all the wine, cheese and bread you'll be stuffing your rucksack with! Although in my mind's eye you'll be eating it off the pecs of recumbent marines instead. Save me a bit. Of everything. xx