Back with Animals

We have just had a flying visit home to the Phils where I was able to see my pigs and piglets. Recently one very good mother gave birth without calling for the usual night assistance they seem to like. And giving birth to the fifteen healthy piglets unaided means some of her kids will become breeding stock rather than being sold later for lechon!
But what a difference between the UK, or the Gulf, and the Phils where animals abound and are both interesting and useful. A glance in the trees as you drive along can often spot a nesting animal, which can be a sight well worthwhile. Especially if you have your hunting gun with you. Personally I do all my hunting with the camera, and do not admit exactly where I have shot any particular animal in view of the fact that Filipinos seem to take after the Chinese in the way they will eat anything that lives!And, of course, as can be seen below, they also make sure that animals are made useful members of the community and they provide some proper input to the work of a farm.
But, as to me, I just like, as is well known, to see the odd frog or two, since somehow they warm my heart, whether climbing around our trees or sitting down for a chat. Unlike Charlie I talk to frogs, not to trees; and another difference is that my wife is beautiful, as I tell any frog who will sit and listen for a moment.
However there a some rare times when I miss seeing the well trained animals and their riders providing protection to our Royalty back in the UK.

Women

This photo has done the rounds at such length there can be few who have not seen it as yet. While I find it somewhat true it is also true that many Europeans can also go to excess and the fact is that it makes them even less attractive than the Americans.
Without question neither come across as what we want in the real world, some-one with the ability to look after their man while also benefiting the farm with their ability to work hard. Of course there are some who don't quite fit the bill even with their innate strength.
But a good hard look around the world will usually find the one you require, me being very happily married man, of course I merely take on additional farm hands but it does make a difference to have properly capable workers around the farm.
All this is said, of course, with the knowledge that there are feminists around who will take exception to the idea of men having an ideal that should be matched to provide the woman best suited for marriage, hiring, squiring around or whatever else.
To them I say . . .

'Nanas

What a strange thing happens as one's body becomes acclimatised to a new regime. I seem unable to stay away from the addictive banana. I vaguely seem to remember that it has three different sorts of sugar in it so I really should not over do it, I suppose.
So I have considered trying them as other useful things, not just as a snack. But so far the the result has not been perfect, dammit.
The strong desire may be a hangover from the war, or just post war, period when exotic fruits were not readily available in the UK, too many U-boats around to make fruit imports a worthwhile exercise. Which meant of course that the rich (and lovely) might get them on rare occasions but they were far beyond the dreams of ordinary souls like my family.
But I do remember being told a wonderful fact that may, in my pacifist old age, be the reason why they are so alluring. But then how many apples, pears or pomegranates actually cause death deliberately? Of course we can't be one hundred per cent sure since not all of us talk to plants like good old Charles, possibly because those of us with less horselike wives prefer to talk to them, probably with a far higher likelihood of getting an understandable response.
Having said that we should always remember that the wild banana if not properly fed, housed and, especially, trained has been known to turn on its owner, a very terrifying experience to those not used to the world in the raw. Luckily my experiences in Nigeria have prepared me for sudden and unexpected dangers.

Changes

After many moons of investigations the doctors have decided that my body is collapsing, pre-diabetic, liver functions and blood pressure all to

hell and gone and other such depressing nonsense.

So for a month I have been drinking no alcohol, and have just bought an electric running machine, which seems a misnomer since I am the one who has to run, and am actually using it, so far in brief attempts and at a fast walk rather than a run. Unfortunately, although I may incline to the poster idea that is not an option in Qatar. However not drinking wine with meals has expanded the number of restaurants that we can enter dramatically!
And, naturally, the waiters do not have to carry quite such a lot to me at one time, freeing them for other duties.
And my wife has pointed out that I should listen to, or perhaps view, the sentiments of these ladies since there are undoubtedly a number of advantages. I am not quite so certain as Alice but there is no doubt that there are certain conversations that we do not need to have these days. Which is the only advantage that I can think of.

Woes

Waily, waily, waily. One thing after another. First migraines, then an ingrowing toenail minor operation then very high blood pressure, liver enzyme functions double what they should be and it all seems a shade too much. A trip to the Booze Shop was indicated (reopen after Ramadan at last) except for the fact of the high liver function levels.
But with my aging bladder and increasing prostrate size it would only mean being stuck in the loo if I did retreat into alcoholic cheer; so perhaps I need to look elsewhere to ensure cheerfulness. Although if I had a "two holer" and could be joined by such charming company then perhaps there might be reason to forget the liver levels!
My cholesterol does not seem to bad so perhaps I do not need to join this lady who is more careful in how she maintains her calorie intake.
You would not believe the sadness that I have felt as I restrained myself from the red wine that is my solace, especially these last few days with Alice back in the Phils to sort out a few necessary things for us at the farm and in the Immigration Office. But we are in the new flat which is so much better! But space and comfort do not mitigate the loneliness in the same way that Jack or red wine do.
Never mind, I talk to my pet, at great length in the absence of Alice, and find his relaxed attitude quite refreshing. Thinking it over I feel he is sensible and I wholly agree with him.

Seafood

I have always been fond of lobster, more so that of crab, here I am seen tucking in to a small one at Cherating on the east coast of Malaysia. Unfortunately this was the first time there and while enjoying the Tiger beer I had not yet discovered that hidden out the back they had some wine.
Mind you it was nice to have the beer anyway, and it is pleasant here in Qatar to be able to get it (or wine) in the hotel restaurants. Although my other favourite will probably not be available anywhere here.
But there are Japanese restaurants around and I do love sashimi, although not sushi so much. A big plate of sashimi though, especially with a decent amount of octopus, is something that I find very hard to resist, especially if properly presented.
But there are so few places that can present it in the way that best grabs both your eye, your taste buds and all your various appetites, don't you find?

Visits

Just recently my friend (and an ex-boss) Dave came on a flying visit, looking more Pickwickian each time I see him.
He was keen to see the sites of Doha, a somewhat restricted list to be honest but we obliged to the best of our ability.
He saw the desert, the wild (and domesticated) life that abounds.
Then on to see the exotic, but unfortunately he and I could not enter, "Men NOT Allowed", as can be seen if you click on the picture and see the original.
Then on to the major interesting buildings such as the Police Institute as, to be honest, as I pass it on my way to work every day I never fail to be amused by it.
But we stayed away from dentists although I should have been searching for one as a tooth thickener has cracked and partly disappeared. But I have never really enjoyed dentists and fear that here they may be of different standards to in Singapore.

Women

As we all know women are wonderful creatures, capable of anything. Although I do feel some are too sports minded to suit my own love of animals and children. At least I saw nothing like this as Henin recently do so well. And we all know that rugby players will do anything so there is less surprise there.
But it is indicative of feminine combativeness, whether it be ladies scaling the walls to release those held in odd places by the US forces or just showing a copier that it really should work if it wanted to survive (after all, I have to!).
My own wife of course is an absolute Angel and, apart from an occasional foray into my Jack, has no connection with the usual unpleasant self-assertive female traits. Perhaps, like me, she finds things to reduce her aggression; but while she normally uses tennis, I end to use wine!

Dog Days

Well, its odd how the sadness continues, a dog is not a person after all. And yet we can get so attached to them, especially as one sees that the 'love' given is returned and the faithfulness becomes evident.

But I recall the days when he was young and he and I (and Jasper) would sit in the garden of our city house enjoying sun and togetherness. I have not wholly lost my love for cats, which was partially based upon their less devoted nature, but I do not miss them having them in the same way that I miss Muggins.
And of course he also got me the odd bit of exercise, as he and I, together with Jasper and Alice (not seen since she is taking this photo) stroll along the beach so near to our city home.
He was intended to some extent as a guard dog but he became rather more and will be sorely missed.
And so I have to turn my mind to other matters, deep and philosophical matters that the world can read, learn, inwardly digest and benefit from. For example: -

Desolation

We were awoken last night by the telephone with appalling news, my wonderful dog Muggins has died. Apparently the victim of rat poison.I am really sad he was a grand companion although as he grew (and grew) he had to become one of the outside dogs being too big to move inside the house that is somewhat overfull. But his friendly nature never changed even as he was wonderful protection for the family and home.

He still enjoyed the odd trip out although getting him into the Pajero was a bit of a squash. But he was always eager to explore. Admittedly once he got to the destination he could become a bit more unhappy sometimes, but no more than me going to the dentist, I feel.
We recently bought two Shih Tzu's and very charming they are but with all due respect they cannot take the place of Muggins, my dear Akita.
As we seem to be specialising in either mongrels or exotica I am starting to think that the only answer is to really hit the exciting breeds. Do you know where it is possible to get one of these in or around Cebu?