So much to show you, but today, everything has to be put on hold, for the RNLI (the lifeboat).
This morning we were woken in the wee small hours (three a.m.) by an urgent buzzzzzing sound, as Hugo's pager, that alerts him to lifeboat launches, hopped about urgently on the bedside table.
When his pager goes off, Hugo stops everything, (as a volunteer for the lifeboat), and makes his way as fast as possible to the lifeboat house.
(Apparently another volunteer was having a bath the other day, when his pager went off, and he literally shot out of the bath, threw his clothes on without drying himself, and arrived at the lifeboat station soaked through, but ready for a launch).
So off Hugo went, and I drifted back to sleep.
When I woke up to the alarm, Hugo hadn't returned, so I knew it was a serious call. And it was, very. Hugo called me on his mobile to report that they were among many vessels searching for the body of a boy in the North Sea, because a ferry had ploughed into a fishing boat and sunk it. There were two people on board, the fisherman, and a sixteen year old boy. The fisherman survived, but the boy didn't.
After about twelve hours searching for the boy's body, it still hasn't been found. The police have been brought in, and the ferry taken back to Edinburgh for the whole matter to be investigated, and the accident has been reported in the news.
Hugo returned about an hour ago, wolfed down some chicken and chips, and then sunk back on the sofa with the doggies.
They both look dog tired, don't they? Ellie hasn't been at sea searching for a body though, she's been for walkies, had some carrot and a chew for lunch, and had a bit of beauty sleep, which might not sound busy to you and me, but may well sound tiring to other doggies, with equally tough lives.
Hmmmm, I'm just trying not to dwell on the tragedy of the boy, still lost at sea, and his horrible death. It's tragic. Must try not to think about it, and his family, whose lives will never be the same again.
I don't think I'll talk about my Fair Isle dress and it's progress just now. I was going to show it to you on Wednesday, but I was so tired, I went to bed. I missed my knitting group meeting on Wednesday evening, which is quite simply unheard of, I never, ever miss it, unless I'm away on holiday, so that shows how tired I was.
I've been reading all your supportive comments about my prints, and want to say a big thank you for all the lovely things you said, I would love to be able to reply to each and every one of you, but I can't quite keep up with my time management at the moment, I'm ever so sorry. I'll let you know when the full selection is finally in my etsy shop.
There's nothing quite like pets to come home to after a traumatic event is there? Just giving them a cuddle and seeing their tails wagging is soothing. Of course, Ellie and Douglas's excitement at seeing Hugo on his return, was absolutely nothing to do with the chicken he brought home with him.
Well, I'm going to pootle off now, or "puff" off, as I once heard a two year old announce as she left the room, which sounds ever so charming, don't you think? Have a lovely weekend, and I shall see you on Monday, fresh as a daisy hopefully. Love Vanessa xxx
How terribly sad... Hope you both have a good rest this weekend.
Isabelle xx
Posted by: Isabelle | August 06, 2010 at 06:39 PM
Oh this is very tragic, life is so precious. Hope you all have a relaxing and peacful weekend and of course get some timto knit ! xox
Posted by: Penelope-by-the-Sea | August 06, 2010 at 06:59 PM
A terrible tragedy, we heard the news last night. Thanks to Hugo and all the volunteers who turn out when needed to give their time and help, I'm glad he's home safe with you and the doggies. Have a lovely weekend, I'm sure you will be counting your blessings.
Posted by: Jennyff | August 06, 2010 at 07:06 PM
That is just so sad. That poor family.
I hope you and your brave husband have a restful weekend.
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | August 06, 2010 at 07:30 PM
peaceful sleep to all. good for hugo helping out but it must be terribly sad, not to have a good result after much effort. it's hard not to be affected. terrible tragedy for the little boys family.
hope the weekend brings happier events or at least peace and quiet to let the events of the week settle in.
Posted by: mlle paradis | August 06, 2010 at 07:46 PM
I have so much respect for Hugo and his volunteer colleagues - they have a tough job at times, so sad that they didn't find the other fisherman. I hope both you and Hugo have a lovely, restful weeked this weekend, and look forward to seeing you on Monday.
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 06, 2010 at 07:56 PM
Dogs are pretty amazing at sensing things though aren't they. I am always so in awe of people who are willing to drop everything in order to help out with all of the truly tragic and awful things in life. He deserves a blanket of warmth and love like the dogs are providing for him.
For a little bit of light relief for you, my Hugo just tottered down the stairs (I was awake before him for once) and said as his sleepy, red cheeked face came around the corner "It's me, little tuttu feet"... (tuttu is a maori word for fiddling things and making general mischief).
I also have to email you a huge thank you as your wonderful books arrived. We are just loving them and Hugo insisted on taking 'Dear Tooth Fairy' to preschool and told me that it would help him to stay cheerful and not cry (very rare that it happens) when we would say goodbye. The children all loved it and it was so appropriate as all of their older siblings are losing teeth but to them it is still such a strange mystery. Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxxooxxooxx.
Posted by: Kate Bruning | August 06, 2010 at 08:04 PM
Ahhh Hugo looks so sweet and divine, you lucky girl and so good he returned safely but wrecked!!!
The dogs have it hard you know doing all this therapeutic work on their owners...
Posted by: Katie Willow | August 06, 2010 at 08:14 PM
Rest, dear Hugo, and I will say a prayer for the lost boy and his family. What a comfort our pets are to us. They really provide a "pet therapy" role for us sometimes when we need them.
Bless you all,
Val :-)
Posted by: Val Reaves | August 06, 2010 at 08:51 PM
I was rather touched by those photo's you've taken of Hugo bless him. There is a lot of love in those pictures. I'm sure you must be pretty shattered too as you must have been worried about him. Hugo does a very altruistic thing; this time not all lives were saved which is very sad but we know everyone did their very best. No one can possibly do more. Without the life boat teams how much worse things would be for those at sea. There are many who have much to be grateful for thanks to them. Unsurprisingly he looks absolutely exhausted. Luckily he is back on terra firma, safe and sound. I know the doggies have a hard life - I feel their pain! So sweet cuddling up like that; perfect medicine. Hugo looks to be getting lots of deserved TLC; you deserve some too. Hope you get lots of rest over the weekend and manage to put your feet up. Take care.xx
Posted by: Siobhan | August 06, 2010 at 08:54 PM
Oh, this is unbearably sad. I was crying when I heard the news about this young young boy. I keep thinking about his mother, I have a 15 year old son. I have nothing but admiration for Hugo and all the other lifeboat volunteers.
Posted by: Sue | August 06, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Hi, heard about this accident on the local news, and as i have a 16 year old son my heart broke for the boys family, just want to say a big thank you to Hugo and all his colleagues for so bravely volentereing and doing some thing amazing , so so sad he coudnt be found , but at least they did there best, and thank god for the lifeboat men! hope he isnt called out again , have a restful week end, hugs to your furry babies ,bestest wishes,Linda
Posted by: The Vintage Heart | August 06, 2010 at 09:43 PM
Heartbreaking story - but thank goodness for people like Hugo who care enough to volunteer for essential services. It is so tragic for one person to die, yet another's life was saved.
He deserves his snuggles from the doggies!
Posted by: Claire | August 06, 2010 at 11:50 PM
So very sad. And yes, thank goodness for the brave volunteers.
Posted by: knittingoutloud | August 07, 2010 at 12:15 AM
Dogs seem to know what people need. What a fantastic fellow Hugo is. Such a sad tragedy. Blessings.
Posted by: Faeryfay | August 07, 2010 at 12:23 AM
That's so sad... I can't bear to think of thinking about losing one of my kids...ugh, it felt awful even talking about thinking about thinking about it! Yay to Hugo for volunteering for such a wonderful thing!
(I saw your jar-full of yarn!)
Posted by: Erica K | August 07, 2010 at 12:46 AM
The photo of Hugo and your story really touched me, how unspeakably awful for the family, and for all the life boat teams who must have searched frantically for the boy. I see in Hugo's face the absolute exhaustion, more than that, the sinking deep into the sleep where you let go of all that is in your mind, the pictures that hover around.
Like Kate I see the dogs as knowing at a deep level that Hugo needed some healing and I am fascinated the way they are both stretched out over him, covering all his body with love Kate said,]
I do hope you are able to have a peaceful weekend, looking after each other and maybe doing something really special even iif it is just eating some beautiful chocolate! I must say too, where would we be without the brave volunteers who do all sorts of amazing things for the sake of all of us.Lots of love to you both, Aubrey
Posted by: Aubrey | August 07, 2010 at 02:07 AM
The mystery of creation is like the darkness of night--it is great. Delusions of knowledge are like the fog of the morning.Do you understand?
Posted by: jordan retro 1 | August 07, 2010 at 02:36 AM
I'm wondering what Hugo will think of all those photos of him sleeping in the armchair. He deserves his rest though. It must be very demoralising when you come back from a rescue like that. Love to you both.
Nicola
Posted by: Nicola | August 07, 2010 at 04:34 AM
Poor Hugo, he does look exhausted. I heard the news on the radio and it's so sad. Thank goodness for Hugo and all the other volunteers who do such amazing work. Have a restful weekend, both of you, Penny x
Posted by: Planet Penny | August 07, 2010 at 08:21 AM
I come from Fowey in Cornwall and knew many of the lifeboat crew. I'm in awe of them and now Hugo too. I cam across your blog via bunny mummy, it's wonderful - regards frugal queen
Posted by: [email protected] | August 07, 2010 at 08:35 AM
Goodness, what a heroic but exhausting task for poor Hugo. That must have drained him emotionally as well as physically.He has two very-soothing-looking small hairy blankets though. I expect he'll feel tired all weekend. Sending thoughts today x
Posted by: Emma | August 07, 2010 at 08:36 AM
Very sad news thinking of the family Hugo and all the hero's of the RNLI
Love the photo's of the loving hairy blankets
xx
Posted by: Suz | August 07, 2010 at 09:29 AM
Oh how terribly sad, I saw this on the news too. What a kind and brave soul your Hugo is being a volunteer.
Looking forward to seeing more of your fabulous prints, they're truly beautiful.
Stephx
Posted by: Steph | August 07, 2010 at 09:46 AM
That's horribly sad, I read about that too...what a star Hugo is for volunteering.
Wishing you a restful weekend with your lovely pooches Xxx
Posted by: Amy | August 07, 2010 at 10:18 AM
How brave all the volunteers of the RNLI are.
What lovely photo's of Hugo and the dogs. Have a peaceful weekend
Posted by: Chris, milatos | August 07, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Heartwrenchly touching. Brave Hugo and the RNLI deserve all good things in life. Sometimes our pets give us more than we realize. Its amazing. I wish you and your family a peaceful weekend.
Posted by: PosyLinda | August 07, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Vanessa, let me join with all those prior commenters who've praised Hugo's volunteer work, while expressing such sadness at the sad recovery story.
Yes, please do have a restful weekend...surely those doggies will help. xo
Posted by: frances | August 07, 2010 at 02:31 PM
I heard the report about the fishing boat and the missing boy on Radio 4 news - what brave people the volunteers are - Hugo deserves his rest and the big cuddle from Ellie (I think dogs know, don't they?)
Celia
x
Posted by: Magic Cochin | August 07, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Much repect to Hugo - I'm always in awe of those who put their lives at risk to save others. Awful, awful for the family though - I've got a soon-to-be16 year old boy and what his poor mother must be going through does not bear thinking about.
I didn't realise you lived so far north - I've just moved up to the Isle of Skye - literally a week and a half ago.
Posted by: Lesley | August 08, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Oh how terrible...I do hope they find the body...for the sake of the family... xxx
Posted by: The Curious Cat | August 08, 2010 at 06:16 PM
Hi Vanessa, what a tragic event! My uncle sends us a card for xmas every year that support the RNLI and I had a wooden jigsaw of a Life Boat man that my boys loved for ages. They do such a great job don't they.
Dogs just seem to know and there is nothing better than a doggie cuddle to help destress.
Hope you get some downtime this weekend :-)
Posted by: Jenni at Baame Kniits | August 09, 2010 at 03:54 AM
What sad happening but well done to Hugo for giving his time so freely to a pretty scary cause. The photos are priceless, thanks for sharing! Hope you managed a bit of rest over the weekend...
Hen x
Posted by: Hen | August 09, 2010 at 04:42 PM
Just found your lovely blog, what a sad story, honourable man and fantastically companionable pile of dogs!
Posted by: Madeleine | August 09, 2010 at 07:23 PM
Catching up here Vanessa and saw you looking stunningly colourful in your photo shoot above and then moved on to this post. Thank goodness for people like Hugo who make the time in their lives to commit to something like this. Dreadfully sad that it wasn't a simple case of rescuing someone home. Very emotionally and physically draining I should imagine.
X
Posted by: Mrs Bun | August 09, 2010 at 11:10 PM