Catblogger

I left my cat at home snoozing fatly beside the heater on Saturday 22nd and took to walking with my sister using the Ringlestone Arms in Kent as my base.  We dressed up well in 'sensible' clothes took off to walk the exposed hills between the villages of Frinstead and Wormshill.  The thing is to keep moving, look for the sunny spots and step out a bit more vigorously than normal.  The reward was a wonderful experience that embraced the mid Autumn colors and some great views out over the Thames and Medway estuaries. 

Returning to the pub we enjoyed the warmth of a cheery fire and ate a pleasant lunch having exercised well.  The method I use for keeping the cold at bay is to warm up by walking along a road or an easy path first at what is described by us oldies as 'a brisk pace' and then venture into the less easier walking where you are forced perhaps to slow down and get a little exposed to the cold.  This day the wind was cold and vicious but with hats on and scarves we weathered the cold breeze and by the time we had clambered over a few stiles, climbed a few hills and finally reached the road we were well warmed up. 

Why walk in the cold?

The reason is that you can layer clothes on and as long as it is not yer actual artic conditions you can walk a long way without sweating your veritables off.  If you get too warm you can always take a layer off and add it on again when you get cold. 

I apoligised to my cat when I did get home after sitting with my sister at her home waffling and drinking hot chocolate.  She, the cat that is, seemed to accept the apology and cuddled up happily and all was well in the Apps household. 

Have you seen a cat walking in the cold?

Mine hates it and would rather be inside warm and sleeping, but then I do not blame her, after all she has only her fur to protect her and with bare feet on a cold surface I should imagine the experience leaves a lot to be desired.  She cannot add or remove layers so easily.

Mind you, I think she quite liked the idea joining me at the pub in front of their roaring fire.  But then I may be wrong.  Who can tell?  Cats have minds of their own.

From where I sit and watch the American elections it appears that the American people have taken the inevitable step and voted for the right man. Even if his opponant had been of a similar ilk, white or black, he still came across as the right choice.

That he is black is an advance, bearing in mind that many people in high administration in the USA are black, it is great that Obama has been chosen. I was impressed, as we all were, by Martin Luther King's speech and the promise that one day all men will be equal in the USA and now his dream has come partially true. The USA has a black president but there is still a long way to go. The next step is to elect a woman - right?

The amazing thing about Obama's election is that the American people have recognised a man with presence, a man who is strong in his ideas and can offer hope for the ordinary people.

What I like about Obama is that when he chose his running mate he discarded Hillary Clinton and made his own selection. I believe if he had been stuck with a Clinton he would be making a rod for hios own back and she and her husband would be like the Ancient Mariner's albatross hanging upon his soul.

So, let us watch what happens and in the meantime let's welcome him as the new leader of the free world. A little sarcastic perhaps but let's hope that he makes Iraq free and thinks again about Afghanistan and is strong enough to face off against other major powers and help us to stop the fiasco in both places.

Bush's war against terror and Blair's illconcieved involvement may find a new direction and in the meantime we will celebrate the change.

Welcome on board Barack Obama