All posts by Darren

LiveFromPeru Part 7

#livefromperu

Well it’s a new year but to get here every pet owner and pet has to go through the same gauntlet.

Despite the many pleas on social media in the run up to the new year for others to consider how stressful fireworks are for the animal kingdom. There still seems to be those that think letting off enough ordnance to put the illegal airstrike of a sovereign nations nuclear program to shame is justified in celebrating the passing of the old and the start of the new.

This would be Diogo’s first time experiencing such explosive celebrations. How would he handle it.

I’ve been lucky in the past. The wolf pack were not bothered at all by the loud explosions. Which was handy when we were living in Crook because we were living next to the towns cricket ground where we found out they held the annual fireworks display.

Nico and Loki have been ok as well with fireworks. And Dolly has been as well.

I think the secret is not to get stressed out by the fireworks yourself. I think the furballs pick up on this. So being calm and not reacting helps them.

Mums dogs Ebony and Toby were always getting stressed out by fireworks. Which I think they picked up from mum. She got stressed that they were going to be stressed. It was a self fulfilling prophecy.

Last night Diogo was in his bed when the first explosions of the night started going off. All he did was get on the bed and cuddle up next to me. As did Loki and Dolly. I was literally pinned on the bed by them cuddled up next to me.

They weren’t stressed, worried or under any duress. Just content cuddled up next to me.

I was really proud how all three handled the fireworks. I’ll take doggy cuddles any day of the week.

This morning on our walk there was very little evidence of last nights explosive celebrations. Usually the remains of some expensive fireworks display in a box type thing are left next to the dog bins or in the middle of the grass. All I saw this morning was the remains of a sparkler and a couple of rockets. I know times are hard for lots of people and this is just a tiny example of where people are making cuts.

Anyway happy new year from the little monsters.

LiveFromPeru Part 6

#littlemonsters, #livefromperu, #the3d’s, hiking/backpacking/camping, outdoors, rambling, The 3D’s, Walking

Today Dolly and I introduced Diogo to the fenland landscape.

We went to just out side of Newton in the Isle for a walk I used to do regularly with the wolf pack. This one saw us doing a there and back to the North Level Main Drain. It ended up being about 1.5 miles in total.

This is the furthest Diogo has been on a walk since arriving in the UK.

Although the sun was out there was still a bit of a chill.

While Dolly was off the lead, a trust she has learnt. Diogo has not got to that point yet and was kept on his lead. He did get a bit longer on it than normal because I used Dolly’s lead as an extension.

Although I did my best to avoid other dogs, and the inevitable barking in excitement from Diogo. I wasn’t 100 percent able to avoid that situation though.

But I am trying to get to a point using calming dog treats (I’m very sceptical about these but time will tell). I’ve also contacted a dog trainer but had no reply yet. But then again it is the Christmas period and they could be taking the time off. I’ll give them until middle of next week before looking for another.

In the meantime Dolly and I need to build Diogo up so he can do the longer walks.

My 2025 Boardgaming

bgstat, by the numbers, gaming stats, stats, Year In Review

It’s that time of year once again where I bore you with the stats for the year.

This year despite one or two poor months I’ve surprisingly played more games than last year, yet had less plays! I’ve also played more new to me games.

I’ve said in a previous post this year seems to be the return of some old favourites such as Netrunner and Ashes. Which I’m glad I’ve done. I’ve really enjoyed playing these games again.

My GOTY…

I think this is probably the easiest year since I started doing this for choosing my game of the year.

As you can see from below I’ve played 84 new games (to me) this year. And there have been some crackers.

But before I share with you my GOTY I think a few honourable mentions need to be made. Any other time these games would be worthy winners.

Honourable mentions: Battle of Hoth, War, Furnace, Tir na nog, Vantage, Rebirth

Ok and now onto my GOTY. Which I think you could guess easily.

My GOTY is…

Rebel Princess.

This is such an amazing trick taking game.

It became a group favourite after the first play. It’s quick to teach. The variety from the princesses and round cards makes each game feel unique.

We have had so many moments and laughs playing this game.

The boring bit…

One Year On

#littlemonsters

This post is a couple of days late. However it doesn’t change the fact that a year ago on the 27th of December I drove down to the Farnborough area to meet Dolly’s owner.

I’d been warned before hand that if I things went well with the owner I’d be returning home with Dolly.

We met at a friends house. Dolly wouldn’t stop barking at me. I think more protective of her owner. It wasn’t until Dolly and I were given some alone time that we started to bond.

We had a nightmare return journey.

But Dolly settled in so fast with Nico and Loki. Even got on with Ramsey the cat.

I can’t believe Dolly has only been with us a year.

We did a charity walk together for Alzheimer’s and dementia research. The both of us have a great time when we are able to get out on longer walks.

She is such an amazing dog. She is beautiful, such a character, you can see what she is thinking on her face, has the cutest yawn. Although her barking at the tv when animals or scrolling text are on it can be a bit annoying. But I’ve never had a dog that watches tv before.

I’m so glad Dolly joined our family.

A Christmas Period Update

#littlemonsters, #livefromperu, life, the universe, and everything, still alive

There is one last opportunity for some games to be played before the year is over. Hopefully that will work out. Then it’s a couple of boring stats posts and we are in the new year.

I did give away my Pokemon Splendor yesterday. My step sisters son is a Pokémon fan. He collects the cards but doesn’t play. So I decided to let him have my copy of the game.

My Christmas viewing, apart from YouTube has been a rewatch of season 1 of Arrow. Which has been fun watching these earlier, almost darker episodes again.

Diogo update

I’d say Diogo is now 98% back to full use of the leg.

I do notice a brief limp after he has been resting for a while.

Now to build him up to doing a longer walk.

I do have a new brew kit in the works. It will work with any stove. Well 99% of them that aren’t like a Jetboil type stove. It won’t be the lightest but it will be flexible.

Having a brew stop while out on the longer walks is something I really enjoy. It’s something I need to introduce Diogo to. Unlike Dolly who will have a bit more freedom while we stop. Diogo will be on his leash. Until he learns or should I say earns the trust to be off it. Which at the moment won’t be for a while.

I do need to look into training for the both of us. We need to correct Diego’s barking while excited. Whether that’s while I’m getting ready for our walk or while out and seeing another dog.

His barking Christmas Day morning at 8am upon seeing another dog did see a home owner enter into the Christmas spirit by shouting out of their window for Diogo to stop barking. Diogo’s response? To keep barking. It’s surprising how loud his bark sounds in the silence of the early morning, echoing off the surrounding houses.

I’ve tried the usual words in English and Spanish but they have no impact. I’m not sure Diogo knows the meaning or how to be.

So I’m hoping a combination of training and calming dog treats (ordered from Amazon) will break Diogo of this habit.

The other aim of any training is to get to the point where he has earnt the trust to chill freely while stopping for a brew.

Merry Christmas 2025

Uncategorized

I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers and bots of this poorly written blog a very Merry Christmas.

I hope you have a great day celebrating (if you do celebrate that is, otherwise have a great day).

I close this blog post off with a couple of photos of Diogo and Loki taken round mums yesterday.

PreChristmas Gaming 2025

Gaming roundup

Well I did get some gaming done in December and the run in to the Christmas holidays.

Ashes: with my all in pledge from the Plaid Hat kickstarter arriving it was only natural that I’d want to get this to the table at the earliest opportunity. Marcin and I played what effectively would be considered the new starter set. Which has a lot going for it. You get two phoenixborn (ie decks), a great intro rule book that takes both players through the first few turns of the game introducing various elements of gameplay, and a comprehensive rule book too. We worked through the intro rule book, and then continued the game. It was great to be playing the game again. Now to slowly work my way through the other 28 phoenixborn and eventually the co-op stuff.

Wyrmspan: played with the Dragon Academy expansion. The fledglings and having to train them was interesting. Luckily having new caves and dragons that allow you to accelerate the training was very handy, and needed. Otherwise I’m not sure how useful or fun these new fledglings would be. Obviously so that we experienced all that the new expansion had we rigged the decks so that we saw the new stuff.

Tokaido: I’m so glad Stonemaier took over this game. It’s bought the game back to the table, and reminded me how much fun it is. Plus it’s been a hit at the club. Glad it’s getting the love it deserves.

Tir na nog: my kickstarter copy with the expansion arrived and it was great getting this to the table. We played just the base game. Which was great fun. Love the drafting mechanic, and the clever way to keep track of how many rounds are left. This was a big hit with Charlene.

Machi Koro 2: what’s to say a great almost filler game. We had some close games where everyone at one point could have won the game. Great light fun.

Splendor Duel: love this two player version of the game. Maybe more so than the full blown game.

Furnace: this worked surprisingly well as a two player game. Love the auction mechanic, and using the gamer variant for running your engine.

Qwirkle Flex: still a fun game now with the tile backgrounds relevant for scoring too.

Take Time: a co-op game in the same vein as The Mind. It was ok.

Stone Age Anniversary Edition: thanks to a fortunate dice roll about three quarters of the way through the game, Ben was able to grab victory without progressing on the farm track. If he had failed on the hunting roll he’d have never recovered. Instead he did amazing and got enough food to see him to the end of the game. He gambled and it paid off.

Rebel Princess: Probably my worst game in a long time. I got 18 points in the final round alone. Needless to say I came last.

In Flanders Field: Jeff’s World War 1 themed push your luck game. Quick, good fun.

New Arrivals

  • Ashes Ascendancy All in kickstarter pledge
  • Formaggio

LiveFromPeru Part 5

#littlemonsters, #livefromperu

Diogo is about 80-90% now with his bad leg.

Each day it seems to be getting stronger. Which is what I want to see.

Hopefully Diogo will be in a position soon where I can introduce him to the fenland landscape.

A surprise gift

This morning the post delivered an emotional surprise.

A mystery friend had sent me this little slate with Nico’s photo on to remember him by.

It came as a complete surprise when I opened the cardboard envelope it came in.

I had no idea.

And yes it did cause my eyes to leak.

The photo is from one of the ones I shared when I told the world of Nico passing away.

It’s a beautiful gift to remember Nico by.

I’m eternally grateful to the mysterious, generous, thoughtful friend.

LiveFromPeru Part 4

#littlemonsters, #livefromperu

After the “brief” update yesterday buried in the “I’m still alive post”. I thought it’d be more appropriate to give another update on Diogo’s road to recovery its own post.

Diogo is continuing to make progress in using his leg.

He is using it a lot more. If walking at a slow or moderate pace he is using it. However if at speed because he is excited and wants to get to the next scent fast, he resorts to limping.

Jedi duelling

Which is massive progress.

I want to think that the rheumocam he is taking once a day is helping. According to the included leaflet with the medication it alleviates “inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders in dogs.“

The only pain about the medication is it’s an oral medication. So I have to use a syringe to give it to him.

Unlike Nico and his heart medication who I could pick up, cradle in my arm, and use the syringe in his mouth. Diogo is a bit more challenging. Neither enjoy the medication they have/had to take.

But as I said it appears to be working.

Kate managed to get hold of the details for the operation that Diogo under went while in Peru. Which I promptly emailed to the vet. I’m also sharing them with you below.

“Right flank / lumbar area: an open wound was found affecting the dermis and epidermis; for this reason, flap approximation was performed.

Lacerations were present on the distal portion of the tibia, fibula, and tarsal bones. In this area, partial loss of condyles and fascia was found. Skin approximation and regenerative treatment were performed, preserving the anatomy of the distal limb. Estimated recovery and skin regeneration time: 2 months.

A bilateral orchiectomy was also performed. Postoperative care was provided following all surgical procedures.

Medications used

Anesthesia:

• Ketamine

• Fentanyl

• Lidocaine

• Propofol (maintenance)

Postoperative treatment:

• Cephalexin

• Meloxicam

• Dipyrone”

Obviously that all means diddly squat to me.

Kate also has the theory that Diogo may not be used to walking so much, especially in the rescue home.

So maybe it’s a combination of things that have bought us to this moment in time and the issue with the leg.

Diogo has also started knocking over the glass next to my bed to get my attention. He particularly does this if I try and ignore his barking to nag me to take him for a walk.

Diogo has his body clock that tells him he wants a walk at 8am and another around 3pm.

And if I don’t give in to his initial prompts his barking somehow gets louder!

He can be a very demanding young dog.