Wash and walk

I'm not lazy, really I'm not, but I dislike doing the laundry to such an extent I tend to let it pile up. A quick solution to this problem is to take everything to the outsize washing machines that many filling stations seem to have now. I've often wondered what the connection is between laundry and petrol pumps. It stretches the imagination somewhat, doesn't it? Mind you, I could happily entertain the idea of soaking my washing in petrol, but then I'd rather set a match to it than wash it. But arsonist tendencies of the material kind aside, maybe it's because they often have a car wash on the same premises ... you know, do washing and spruce up car simultaneously? Perhaps it's an efficient use of water. Who knows? Whatever the case, our local giant washing machines are at a filling station in Terneuzen close to both a dog park, and even better, a hop and a skip to the huge locks on the Westerschelde Estuary– always great eye candy for a waterways' lover.
So, last Friday, my daughter kindly offered to let Zoe, me and my washing accompany her, Lucy and her own laundry pile to Terneuzen where we both availed ourselves of the facilities. In our case, though, we didn't do any car washing; instead, we took a walk to the locks and along the waterside. It was a blustery, rainy day – note the cloud scape as well as Zoe's hair. No, she hadn't been to the hair dresser. It was the wind giving her that artfully swept-back look. 
Both dogs enjoyed the walk as much as we did and then practised their cute impressions in the car while waiting for us to unload the machines.

Ah, now I can see! At last!
Some good sniffs around here, Zoe!
Ooh, wot you got there, Lucy?
Eye candy for me
Are we cute or what?
And just to show how wet it's been.
That isn't a lake; it's just water on the fields

The photo above is just one that shows how wet it's been here. Normally, the Netherlands can cope with excess rain. The drainage ditches do a fantastic job as do the pumps that keep the polders dry, but being a land largely below sea level, the kind of endless rain we've had has taxed even this country's brilliant anti-flooding systems. There's standing water and mud everywhere. We're just praying it will dry up sometime soon as we could definitely do with some respite (remember my green barge and damp walls?).

So that's it for this week allemaal. I hope you're all keeping well wherever you are. Below is a photo of Zoe especially for Rebecca. As my little pooch says, she can't help being adorable! :)

I can't help being adorable, can I?