Schnitzel for Norman

We get up a little earlier this morning, around half past seven, I put the kettle on to make coffee whilst Norman relieves himself in the Garden. This morning I fry an extra egg and some black pudding and we both have a full English breakfast before we set off for Cherry. It is another fine day, the rain has cleared and there is a stiff breeze coming out of the West. After collecting Dolly and Teddy we arrive on the Westwood around nine thirty. There is a second day's racing on the Hurn today and quite a few of yesterday's punters have left their cars parked on the grass overnight. Presumably unsafe to drive having consumed a few drinks too many! I let Teddy and Norman off their leads and we proceed at the pace of our slowest member through the woods, which smell fresh after yesterday's rain, the sun dappling through the leaves as they are rustled by the breeze. The dogs are in a routine now and Teddy comes back to be put on the lead as we round the corner onto the common. There don't seem so many cows about today, perhaps they are grazing further afield, and when we get to Black Mill there is no sign of Angus. We get back for a quarter to eleven and I make hay whilst the sun shines and mow the lawns, and then finish off the weeding on the front flower beds before driving back to Tickton for midday. I leave the back door open for Norman and make sure he has plenty of water and the head for the pool. The human wave machine are bouncing to music again but it is not quite as busy as yesterday and I complete the same programme but in a different order, 400m backstroke and then the same in breast and freestyle before 4 x 100m individual medley and even have time for an easy 200m warm down before the pool is cleared. My strength and condition is returning, although you can never be sure of clear training space in the summer holidays. Still adapting to conditions as you find them is better than getting angry if they are not as one might wish. I take tea in the cafe and eat a few oaties before calling at the supermarket for a few bits and pieces. On my way home I call in at the doctors to collect a prescription for my blood pressure medication as I am out of tablets. When I get home Normy is sleeping in the garden but soon wakes up and comes to say hello, wagging his tail as I prepare a late lunch. Today we are having pork schnitzels, I took two frozen chops out of the freezer to defrost before leaving this morning. I bone them and flatten them with a tenderiser before seasoning and then dipping them in egg and breadcrumbs. In their flat and thin form they completely fill the frying pan and I sautée them carefully whilst making a tossed salad and buttering some Ryvita. I have also dipped and fried the bones and Norman has his own bowl of schnitzel, whilst I eat mine with a glass of nicely chilled Australian white wine in the garden. After lunch I drink a coffee and do a puzzle sat in the sun, whilst the dog sucks every last scrap of meat from the bones. We retire indoors as it starts to rain, but after a few drops, it blows over. Norman is running to the kitchen and barking because it is six o'clock and despite his schnitzel he wants his dinner. I give him a little bit of dog food, enhanced with some of the Bolognese sauce that I saved in the fridge. He seems happy with that and wags his tail when I put his lead on to take him for his evening walk. We go down to the bridge, in the fields the harvest is in full swing and the wheat field beyond the wood has already been brought in. The hawthorn trees are heavy with red berries and I am reminded that in four weeks, after my visit to Holland, autumn will be knocking on the door. I let Norman off the lead on the way back and we stop at the farm to buy some eggs. They only have six left, two large and four small, so they only charge 50p, and we are advised to shop earlier in the day. We get back around a quarter to eight and Norman has a drink and puts himself to bed and I make a pot of tea and some oaties before reading my book until bedtime. These two weeks of fine weather and returning health have been a real tonic.