Issue 31 Jan 20

ISSUE: 31 Email: [email protected] January 2020 Ray’s Dream I was asked by one of the young adults if I could organise a fishing I was employed as a care trip as it was something he had support worker on the children always dreamed of doing. and young adult’s unit at St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth, Well we didn’t have any fishing Newcastle Upon Tyne. One of rods BUT what happened next my many duties was to organise was what dreams are made of. fun activities for the young adults group. The word spread to angling clubs Once per month the staff would across the country and donations take out the young adults and of fishing rods, reels and every their families to do things which kind of fishing equipment poured most teenagers take for granted, in. The Fire Brigade and Police such as going to the cinema, a also donated rods. trip to the beach, going out for a pub meal or ten pin bowling etc Now we had everything to go fishing OR SO WE THOUGHT. Donations then started flooding in. I was able to purchase a uniform for each member of the group. Everyone received a cap, sun glasses, hoodie and t-shirt. Next was finding a name for the fishing club which was left to the young adults and so Rods ‘n’ Cods was born. Next job was to design a logo for

the uniforms which was also left retired and moved to Parque La to the young adults to design. Posada. I thought it would be nice to have a raffle to maybe raise Now time for me to get the ball €100 for the activities group. rolling. I contacted the Angel Of The North fishing lakes and What happened next was the explained about our group. We continuation of the dream. were invited along and each young adult had a qualified Raffle prizes, donations and gifts instructor to set everything up just kept coming in. A bring and and assist Rods ‘n’ Cods group to buy sale had been organised on fish. The group caught loads of the Park and we were offered a fish (all fish were returned to the free table for the raffle prizes water unharmed). which my wife Helen did. Not only that but we were given half the On the way back to the Hospice I money from the bring and buy could feel myself filling up when a sale. People bought raffle tickets certain young lad who had wished and wow, I was amazed. to go fishing said “Ray, that was the best day of my life.” A fun night was organised. Disco, Singers, Auction, Comedian and Rods ‘n’ Cods are now able to use much, much more. A total of Angel Of The North fishing lakes €2000 raised to keep dreams and and firm friendships have been activities going. established. THANK YOU ALL The story doesn’t end there. I Ray Fenwick



A DOG’s LIFE! to the occasional “Oooo’s and Arrrhh’s” from Mummy as she Skye Winterborne seemed to like looking at the big rocks we were passing and then it The Adventure Begins….. was “eek” “oh gosh” and “get past ‘im quick” – I think this was Firstly I have to tell that nice Mr when the wet stuff started falling David, who prints my story, I’m a and oh my did it fall, not sure if little girlie doggie!! He Daddy could see the black stuff accidentally called me a “boy” last the metal box was supposed to be time, well I hope he sees from my running along but after a Very picture that I’m just TOO pretty Long Time we finally came to a and cute to be one of them !! xxx stop with them both sighing and saying “Skye, we’re here at your new home” !!!!! So…. off we set, my bit of the Looked to me like another “metal “moving metal box” [also known box” only much much bigger and as Daddy’s beloved Lexus] it had another “house” beside it seemed to be rather overflowing [think the parents called it an and my bed was a bit squished up “extension”]. So all those funny but it was oh so comfy, I lay my coloured boxes [suitcases] came head down and was fast asleep out of the “moving metal box” before I knew it. I only woke up and got taken inside the bigger one. I was very surprised when I finally went in as it was just like a “home” with things to lay upon or sit upon and had one of those great big beddy things where mummy & daddy like to spend the darkness. One complaint I have is that my “outside” space is not as big as I am used to, in fact it’s quite small really [although I have heard the

parents talking about making it what all the fuss was about, it was bigger, so that will be okay]. I am only 3 & a bit days!!!! pleased to say that as soon as they had given us all a drink of So we are now here in this place water, they took me out to have a called Spain!! Tuesday dawned look around this new strange and it doesn’t seem that sunny to place. It was still very dark and me, but whilst the workmen there were lots of smells, sounds climbed up on the wooden and sights I just wasn’t used to, so “house” part to mend the roof – as much as they tried to apparently it had loads of leaks, encourage me, I was still “the poo they hadn’t noticed when it was who hasn’t poo’d”!! all nice and sunny!! - we went for a long walk into the Village – it The next day, after a rather nice was really nice to stretch my legs breakfast of yummy meaty stuff, and then we got to a bit that had they took me out again and this lovely grass, so I made good use time they took me to area where I of it TWICE, which I know made could run about without that long the parents very happy. “ropey thing” attached. We also got to play ball and I was happy to Wednesday saw the arrival of all give it back to Mummy for her to those boxes I thought we had left throw. She was quite good to start behind in our old home but no, with then, of course, she they followed us here and three managed to throw it the wrong very nice men took them out of way and over the fence it went!!! their moving metal box and piled So I get put back on the “ropey them up in the wooden “house”. thing” and she took me out of the Now starts the “unpacking” ??? I play area to the woody area to was ecstatically pleased when find the ball – Yay we got it and mummy got in one of the boxes then I had a long sniff about, and out of it came all my cuddly finally found some green stuff to toys – I was so happy to see Ted have a nice long wee and and Big Ted and Bunny and THEN…… amongst a big pile of MacBunny, I didn’t know which leaves I finally became “the Poo one to say hello to first who DID a poo”!!! Don’t know We have spent the rest of the week going for lots of walks

because although I pleased them moved, I can look out the front by peeing in the garden, I still window to my heart’s content and refuse to do a poo unless it’s in see all the other doggies going my favourite place in the runny- past and sometimes those pesky about area and only when it’s not cats – I try very hard NOT to bark raining. at them but sometimes I just can’t help myself!! I thought this was supposed to be hot and sunny, so far it’s done I haven’t done much exploring nothing but rain and rain and rain yet, as explained above, although [something about a weather front they did take me out on a long coming across from the States – walk for Mummy to show Daddy as if I know what that all means] just how far she had ridden her anyway I get to lounge around on bike on her first bike ride in 7 the sofas and watch mummy & years!!! I was quite impressed daddy keep getting in various until Daddy went out a few days boxes, not sure where they are later and not only did the same going to put all their stuff as this ride but did it TWICE [still he does “home” even with the extra bit on need to lose a few more pounds the side is so much smaller than than Mummy does !] our last home – there’s even talk about having to still get rid of I did take myself off for a walk the more “stuff”, I just hope it doesn’t other day, well the Parents were mean me!! taking SO LONG in opening the door and as I found myself The human parents are still without the ropey thing attached, unpacking various of those thought a nice stroll was the “boxes” but inside, now they’ve “order of the day”! Unfortunately, FINALLY decided where the the Parents didn’t think so and enormous Picture Box should live, told me I was a “naughty girl for it’s been up and down and here running off”, what’s up with them, and there but finally it’s in the I only went 4 houses up before I corner and with the softy sitty- waited for Daddy!!!! Even more upons moved about, it’s nice and exciting than that though was cosy and really feels more like when I discovered that Daddy had home now. With the Picture Box removed part of the “wall” that

goes round the bottom of the Christmas and Happy New Year. home – without him seeing, I Hopefully I’ll have more to tell you managed to sneak past and go next time…… exploring under there all by myself – it was dark and scary but GOOD EATING oh so much fun, although didn’t like the long wispy stuff that kept Dave Everett getting caught on my fur!!!! “El Buen Comer” (translates to We now have a Christmas Tree good eating) lives up to it’s name again this year – I still don’t get with excellent food, service and why would I want a tree inside, prices. Find it at Calle Vicente I’m not a boy dog! But it does Aleixandre on the Bella Vista look pretty! I also like seeing all estate in Mollina (near the post the other “metal boxes” with office). Try it—you can thank me their bright dangly things, they do later! look rather nice. Mummy & Daddy say I have to wish all my new doggie buddies and their ‘umans a Very Merry