Remembering Folly!

Today is the anniversary of the birth of my first show dog, Folly. Folly, an Irish Setter was Medogold Arcadia and born in 1986, bred by the now famous pointer breeders Aidine and Mick Howes.

I have so many happy memories of Folly. My first show was at a champ specialist show and we were placed in an enormous class - I think even Aidine and Mick were surprised. I was totally hooked! We won best in show at a companion show in Stoke Park, Guildford where people who knew me were watching, we even got a mention in the Surrey Advertiser.

But showing aside, Folly was the most wonderful dog I've owned, a kind, gentle, sweet dog who I considered a once in a lifetime dog - I loved her so much. The only one who compares (and their personalities are very similar) is Harvey whom I also adore. This isnt taking anything away from my other Setters but once in a blue moon a 'special' one comes along and Folly and Harvey certainly fall into that category.

Sadly, I lost Folly at the very young age (typically Irish live well into their teens) of eight. She had pyometra, I knew it but my vet laughed at me when I said I thought that's what it was - she died in the middle of the night, in absolute agony while I was trying to persuade the vet to come out. That night is still deeply ingrained on my memory and it affected me deeply for a long time and in fact still haunts me to this day - RIP peace Folly my love - I still miss you!

Summer of Swing?

For the second year running we are invited along with my trusted colleague Keith Hill to the Summer of Swing in Kew Gardens. It's a glitzy evening on amazing food, wonderful drink and most of all brilliant music from The Jools Holland Blues Band and in this case the evergreen Lulu (is it possible that she's 60!!)

As usual it was a brilliant evening and incredibly it actually stopped raining for the first time in six weeks - the only problem is I have to go to work tomorrow - argh!

The last day of my week off :(

I cant believe it. The sun is shining! Because of this we decided to get the bikes out - although because Alan had to do a bit of work and he wanted to catch the British Grand Prix we decided on something less ambitious than the last ride. We decided to check out the River Wey and the Guildford/Godalming navigations. So we parked the car in Bury Fields and took the bikes out along the tow path of the River Wey. This is very embarassing but despite living in Guildford for a good part of my life I hardly know this historical and beautiful river.

Along the way there were a display of incredible long boats and beautiful countryside. My only concern is that there were so many people which on our usual ride (the Christmas Pie Trail) isnt a problem. We cycled all the way to the Phillips memorial in Godalming which is a new one on me. Not only is it a very important part of history (Jack Phillips was the radio operator on the Titanic who refused to leave his post and continued to send mayday messages until his untimely demise on this fated ship) but the Phillips memorial was designed my another local hero in the form of Gertrude Jekyll.

It was only about seven miles and no hills unlike the Xmas Pie trail but that was enough and it was a lovely ride - and guess what? It didnt rain until 10:30pm!!

it's a LARGE greenhouse!

Being members of the RHS we felt obliged to go and see the new hothouse at Wisley - after all some of our subscription paid for it! HRH Queen Elizabeth II opened this superb new structure just last week. It's a wonderful building with a beautiful lake around it and thoughfully planted beds and pathing leading up to it. It doesnt yet have the maturity of Kew and it's not as large as Kew but my God its a near second. I loved it - only the photos can do it justice.






this is the black bat or the cats whiskers and it's very rare. I've certainly never seen one before - extraordinary plant

Third day of my week off work and guess what?

Yep! It's raining! Went to Gunwharf Quays to shop and eat in out favourite restaurant. the Santa Fe which looks out onto Portsmouth Harbour and serves the most wonderful texmex food. It's a really nice place but the weather just ruined the whole day! I cant believe it, it's July and still pouring down with rain - I give up.

....and guess what? It's raining!

Luckily I spent all morning in the garden, trying to mow another part of the vastly overgrown lawn and it was pretty sunny - in fact it was HOT!

So, we went into Guildford at lunchtime to have something to eat and visit the country market in the High Street.

It absolutely POURED down and in fact while we were in Joe Schmo's it was actually hailing - then the thunder came and Guildford descended into darkness. It rained so hard that a river ran down the High Street!

Alan went off to have his hair cut and I went on a little spending spree - dodging in and out of shops for cover.

Rain, Rain, Rain!! Typical English Summer!

Denbies Vineyard - the largest vineyard in the UK

The first day of my week off - and the weather is appalling! It's now July and it's still raining and I mean raining not just light showers.

We set out heading for Dorking to find out what the town had to offer but ended up at the Denbies Vineyard - you could be in California apart from the weather.

When we left we were both hungry so decided to head back to Gomshall to find the Bluebeckers there and had a really nice lunch, but which time it was pouring down again!

Because of the weather we decided not to go to into Dorking town but go back to the place I was born and to find the house I was born in. It was still raining.....


Warner Cottage - the house I was born in


We drove round Peasmarsh, Holmbury St. Mary (where my father lived as a boy) and Wotton - all beautiful villages in the most amazing countryside.

After driving down many one track lanes and byways we eventually found Warners Lane in Albury Heath and there is was, the cottage I was born in 'Warners'. It was quite emotional really. I wasnt born in a hospital, I was born in this little house :)