The Great Escape

Hello All!

Well I'm a little out of breath as i write this having just chased my dog Molly around the city! No doubt highly amusing for her, but since her escape took place while my apartment door was wide open and Grettle was outside, unlocked and in the middle of a test pack, it was significantly less amusing for me!
With Molly replacing my main bulk of baggage and with an adventure that covers almost half of the globe ahead of me, I decided to test sooner rather than later, whether or not i could actually fit all I needed onto Grettle. This was all going rather smoothly; I was in high spirits having packed everything, except for Molly, into the small top box and the old leather panniers, apart for the tent which I strapped to the steering column.

We then went on a small spin around the city before calling it, all too soon, a successful day. I was in the middle of taking all my bags back inside and unloading Grettle when someone opened the gate to the small courtyard outside my apartment and Molly made  bolt for it!
With the door wide open and all my valuables on an unlocked bike, clear for all to see, I had to make a split decision; do i lock up and put my bags inside or do i run after Molly? It took only a second to decide on Molly and so i ran after her, leaving the door open and bags falling off Grettle in the process.
Hoping she was just around the corner, my heart sank as i ran on to the street to see no dog! I began barking at pedestrians in the hope they may direct me to Molly and despite several startled looks, one or two helpful locals pointed me in the right direction. Thankfully, about quarter of an hour later I caught up with Molly, who had bolted across a busy road and taken refuge in a rubbish dump! I scooped her up and ran, very out of breath, back to my open apartment, which typically has  'TEA SHOP' written above it in large letters, surrounded by pictures of Mongolian Dumplings; a clear invitation for any nomad to wonder in at any time, which, they frequently try to do!
To my utter relief, I got back to find both bags and bike, and having half expected to discover half a dozen toothless nomads in my apartment, snuggled in bed, eating food, and wondering what to steel, i was overjoyed to discover it empty!
So, the situation turned out dandy, but it could well have lead to the loss of Molly, Grettle and ALL of my possessions, I dread to even imagine! So, a big 'Phew!' on that front and a pup in rather bad favor!
I have since been trying to teach Molly 'Heel' which is not yet her forte but I'm sure we will get there eventually, and hopefully avoid too many escapes across Russia and the EU!

On a different note, I have finished the full Mongolian Animal Cricket Team for Trish Reed and have now started on a series of chickens for the bath and west show this summer!

So -trying to keep busy until the adventure is finally upon me!

Until next time, Adios!