California here I come!

Well, here I am again in Anaheim, Califronia staying in the Raddison Maingate - the same hotel that I stayed in on my first stay in the US ten years ago.

One thing I have to point out though. I always see someone famous in the airport before I go on my hols. This year it was Minnie Driver. Alan was playing with his PSP or some other console and thought I was going crazy when I pointed out that I'd just seen Minnie Driver walk past us and go into Dixons. When she returned he realised I was right! She is amazingly tall - and thin but certainly didnt stand out as a Hollywood star in fact she blended into the crowd rather well but we Brits do usually leave people alone a bit like the time I spotted George Lucas literally three feet away from us at the Goodwood Festival of Speed - no-one was interested they were simply looking at the cars ;)


We picked up our hire car today. It's a Buick Rainier - a very nice SUV.

Today has been a true shopping day. After getting up at 7am we had breakfast in the IHOP ( a well deserved thoroughly Amercian breakfast) we headed off to Target to buy essentials like shampoo and conditiner - we always travel out light. We then went to Costco which we have a members card in the UK. I bought my Christmas present - a wonderful credit card size digital camera. It was weird, it was like visiting Costco in the UK - set out exactly the same.

We then spent a couple of hours in the Block which is an outside shopping mall with great eats places. We did our unsual shop in American Eagle, Old Navy and Hollister to do our annual wardrobe re-stock!

Then back to the bar for a few drinks and a meal. Then to bed, I'm knackered!

Gundog Training at Druids Lodge

** ALL PHOTOS ON THIS BLOG ARE BY bleimages.com**

Today goes down as one of those that you will remember forever. I took my youngster Harvey gundog training at the Druids Farm in Wiltshire. I believe this it considered one of if not the best shooting lodge in the UK.

I had to get up early, it was raining so hard that my village was completely under water and I couldnt do more than about 30 mph for the first eight miles. I nearly turned round and went back to bed! Thank God I didnt. I had the most fantastic time. I was in heaven. A whole day spent with people I like, in the country away from all the rat race, with my dog and doing something that we both love. Even the weather was perfect for a late September day.

This is the first time that Harvey has actually had any formal training (although since day one I have been applying my limited skills to his ever present instinct) but he didnt let me down. I was and still am beaming with pride. We even won the prize for dog and handler who had the best working rapport.

I am totally exhausted now, as is Harvey - who enjoyed it so much, It's so nice doing something you totally enjoy.

Today is the first Blog of the rest of my life - welcome to Louise's (Hotlipz) Blog!

I am the one on the right - the hairy, black and tan one is my beloved Bailey otherwise known as Hernwood Dream Mirage of Kilnrae JW 1RCC. He is a Gordon Setter and they are my complete and absolute passion. Since discovering this breed seventeen years ago I have fallen head over heels in love with them. I cannot imagine life without a Gordon. I currently have two. Bailey and young Harvey (Bailey's grandson) otherwise known as Kilnrae French Toast of Billingham.

The Austin Healey in the background sadly is not mine. I love cars both old and new and have a soft spot for the old Citroen DS's. Instead though I have to do practical and drive a 4x4 ( I know, I know, enemy of the state etc) but I really do travel all over the country with two large dogs (and their comfort can mean the difference between winning and losing) and have to navigate large, wet, fields of mud at dog shows - plus I live up an unmade road so thats my excuse :)

"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like,
and I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively,
and gently licks my hands;
Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
but I never say naught thereat,
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
but never a friend like that!"

- W. Dayton Wedgefarth