These clouds caught my eye on the basset walk today.  They looked suspended, almost unreal, hanging over the Hutt Valley.  They look painted with amazing perspective.  It was indeed a beautiful day today.

Sunny, warm (not too hot) and very spring like.  It’s amazing walking out in the country at the moment.  Everything is verdant and blooming.  Birds are busy and lots of rustles in the undergrowth of something furry going about it’s business. It’s be a great day to end the week and give optimism for a long, sunny and luxurious weekend.

There were some creatures who were however a little less sprightly and a tad grumpy.  Let me introduce you.

Fortnum – grumpy, I’ve been playing all night, I want to sleep now, thank you – basset.  Complete with tired red eyes.

Mason – this is harder to climb this slope than it looked when you’re tired from playing all night – Basset.

Yes, in the 360 nights that these bassets have been living with us last night was the first that they actually kept me awake without good reason.  The only other time was when Fortnum was wearing a collar to stop him licking stitches and he got his head stuck and panicked.

They work me up just gone midnight and then three other times in the night.  For some inexplicable reason they – I think Fortnum – kept waking up and then wanting not able to snuggle up with Mason who sleeps on the other side of the baby gate – got him to bark loudly enough to bring me running.  They even went AWOL outside for a while meaning I had to tip toe off into the night with a torch (flashlight for US readers) to find them.

Let’s just say that it took a nice long walk followed by a snooze to bring the world back into equilibrium.  And that was for me!

I admit, I’ve struggled.  Friday is chores day here at Domestic Executive HQ.  Never my favourite thing.  It is however part of the “deal” so better just dig in.  Whilst I was engrossed in cleaning the toilet (if a job’s worth doing it’s worth doing properly) I started to think about Friday’s in the past. And by the past I mean before my DE days.

To be frank Friday’s were always a bit of a blur.  Sheer exhausted from commuting, doing organisational battle and for just putting in the requisite hours at work.  In those days I had a lovely lady who cleaned and ironed – yeh Roseanne!  She was my saviour and a thoroughly nice person to boot.

That Friday night feeling was one of numb tiredness. So tired that the 20 steps from the front door of the house to the front door of our local pub seems like a marathon.  Also, you are too tired to think what you’d like to drink.  Good job then that the landlords were able to recognise the signs and deliver to MT and I our “usual” drink and the best fish and chips to eat.  Thanks for that Ron and Penny.

Yes, Friday’s were where possible “working at home” days.  Those days where all you needed to do was survive one more working day and then you could relax.  Sleep. Eat. Sleep and well sleep.

Not any more.  Those Friday feeling are gone.  Now Friday’s are energetic domestics in order to be ready to spring into activity over the weekend.  OK, maybe on spring but you know what I’m trying to say.  Don’t you?

If the weather this weekend is anything like today we’re in for a scorcher.  Marvellous thistle harvesting weather.  Deep joy!

I know my drag their heels I’m tired bassets found their walk today hard.  Here they are bringing up the rear.

And now turning the corner for home.

Yes, my let’s stick together bassets were getting a touch of those Friday feelings. Tired, cranky and in need of a rest.

That will teach them to keep me awake at night!  Me, I’m off to make Pizza  and see whether the landlord has stocked up the fridge!