A real sense of civic pride as proper campaigning begins

I'm new to this.  It's my first campaign as a candidate.   Despite some of the horror stories I was primed to expect, the opposite has been the case.

It's so uplifting walking along streets I know so well but this time talking to strangers.  We are so lucky.  It's evident how much pride people have in Twickenham, particularly our part.  How we are run matters to people.

It's not a plot spoiler to say that not everyone votes Conservative, but everyone has been polite, sometimes humorous, and frequently opinionated.  Concern for others is a strong theme, and one which resonates with my reasons for standing.

My most surprising revelation  has been that many voters only want to talk about national issues, even though this election is only about how your council tax is spent over the next 4 years - and how much you will have to pay.

My least surprising revelation has been that Twickenham Riverside is a truly beautiful place to live.

So to the angry dog.  When out leafletting you get used to a soundtrack of barking as you approach a front door.  I adore dogs.  A lot of homes have them.  Occasionally I feel that the letter I've just posted might not survive the dog's attention, but such is life.

Yesterday, near the White Swan,  as I pushed a letter though, it became wedged in stiff bristles so I used my hand to ease it into the house.  The bite came the moment my fingers were through the letterbox.  Not a nip, a full throttle bite.  Fortunately the main tooth hit my fingernail, painful and damaged but not catastrophic.

That house won't be getting any more Adrian Johnston attention.  If I lose the election by one vote it's because I'm a coward.