Speaking of Happiness thanks M J - update

I have often returned to the theme of happiness in this La Margarita blog and we once voted on who was the happiest man in the world. Well yesterday (25.06.09) as even my cows know Michael Jackson died. I doubt that he was one of the happiest men in the world but one thing is for sure he made millions happy with his music and his dancing – he was the King of Pop without doubt. If you don’t believe me have a look at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkGOiS75Lwk

and watch and wonder - it is sheer joy. I listened, listen and will continue to listen to Beat It forever – the rhythm, the dance ,the song, the video, the guitar sola it has it all numero uno diez puntos the perfect pop song – bet God is happy to have him showing him how to do that moon walk now . Not sure how it happened that the great Eddie Van Halen played guitar on that single but I can imagine the conversation. Hey Quincy how about we get that heavy rock guitarist to play on my new single Beat It . You got to be joking Micheal you are funky he's heavy . Nah give him a ring see what he says. Hey Eddie wanna play guitar on MJ's new single . What me man nah I m heavy he's funky just won't work. Yea go on give it a try MJ thinks it will work. Ok I will but I warn you won't work. Yep didnt work all right it just worked fantastically - still one of the best guitar solos ever - even Van Halen said sorry don't ask me to repeat it cos I can't. Beat It became one of the best selling singles of all time - sheer sheer genius

Cheers MJ thank you so much for the music it was and still is fantastic.

This is David Cummings alias the English Gaucho playing loud music on La Margarita today to celebrate the life of the King of Pop - sad yes but dance we will.

A Sad Canine Farewell to a Lovely Old Campaigner

(Pic of Tom with Susan and her daughter contemplating if back packing is for him)
To those of you who have come to stay on La Margarita I know many of you loved the dogs we have here. Fido, Jack and Tom have often been firm favourites for many of you who stayed with us. It is therefore very sad for me to break the news that Tom, our oldest dog, sadly died last week. Although we are all very upset it is true to say that Tom had a very good innings.

We inherited him from the original owners of La Margarita a few years back. To be truthful he was even old then - in that same way that Ken Barlow seems to have always been old (sorry it’s an English Corrie thing). But it didn’t stop him from wanting to keep up with the youngster Jack or Fido when it came to going for long walks. Tom however always had that look of disdain about him and sometimes used to look at me is if to say “sorry old chap think I will just ignore you today and do my own thing”. I loved that look - it was as though he looked at me as the new upstart somehow, I was not fit to talk to a thoroughbred estancia dog.

Of course there were other times when he would forget his classy upbringing and slum it with me, and often with some of you. He would walk, say, to the entrance (about a couple of kilometres) and keep whoever he was with company all the way while Fido and Jack tried vainly to catch hares - something that Tom was not going to lower himself to do - too much rushing around . Often when we turned around to come back Tom would then decide ok that’s enough chit chat I am heading back as quick as I can to the house to guard it - and that’s exactly what he did.

Over the past year many of you have noticed he was suffering with what can only be termed as old age. I often thought, ok I will take him to the vet and do the terrible deed but I never did. I didn’t because even up to a few months ago I would find Tom alongside me deciding that maybe a walk with the satanic upstart wouldn’t be such a bad thing . I made sure I walked slowly for him and he often made it for at least a kilometre.

One day last week he took himself into the woods for his last walk. He laid down to have a sleep and didn’t wake up. It’s really sad but he had a great life I do know that and I have no doubt he has joined Bac (our other old dog) in heaven to have some great walks in the estancia in the sky

Have fun Tom, we will miss you your Excellency

This is the English Gaucho a little sadder today than yesterday
Saludos
David