Saturday, December 27, 2008

The end of an era! RIP Woolies


Today marked the end of an era, an institution so deeply engrained in our culture that it's going to be weird without it - Woolworths closed all its shops today, one of the many victims of the credit crunch.

My first memories of 'Woolies' is of seeing my first black man coming out of the Kingston-upon-Thames branch (I'd previously lived in a tiny village in Sussex). Early memories include my mother having an embarassing accident in the very same store (she wouldnt thank me for publishing this incident on the internet), oh and so did my very young sister (again she wouldnt thank me.....) Pick'n'Mix every Christmas, cheap Ladybird clothes, always there for a bargain.

Other memories include the Woolies cafe in Guildford. A place where I started to grow up, become more independent - we used to have a coke, coffee or a cake in the cafe in Guildford before catching the bus to our respective homes.

Although American in it's origin (I've had a Starby's at the bottom of the wonderful Woolworth building in New York) it was truly a British institution, RIP Woolies!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Gordon Setters........


Yes, I am obsessed with them, yes I love them and I realised just the other day whilst in the field on my own with not a soul in sight - apart from my dogs that this is where I am truly happiest!

When I first took a liking to the breed over 20 years ago I was told on many occasions that I would never own more than one as their pack instinct can make them temperamental and prone to fighting. Well, yes they are very pack orientated and yes I've had more than my fair share of fights (mostly between bitches not dogs) but I honestly think that keeping the peace with a breed that is pack orientated is easier than those that dont really care about hierarchy (like the Irish Setter). As long as you do your study of how a pack works (Cesar Milan is a genius in this field) and stick to the 'rules' you will very rarely have any problems.

Just to prove my point, here is a lovely photo of just how well my current boys get on but lets not get too gooey and sentimental about this.....note that Bailey, the patriarch, has his head on his subordinate's body :)

Friday, December 19, 2008

Could this be love?


Today I became the proud owner of a much wanted iPhone - and I am in love. It's easy to use, it has everything you could want on it and it's iconic - call me a material girl if you like but this is the best thing I've bought myself in ages - well since the Tag Heuer watch I suppose LOL!!

I know have a short list of most important things I own (although 'own' isnt really a word you should use with dogs so maybe it should be share my life with). My iPhone, my MacBook, my Tag watch and of course most importantly my Gordons!!

Monday, December 08, 2008

F-!8 Bomber Crashes in Miramar, San Diego


This kind of disaster happens every day so why is this event entered on my blog? Well, the reason is that I know this area incredibly well. I know Miramar and I've been to San Diego many times and love the place. Since the accident I have found out that the fated jet came from the Aircraft Carrier the Abraham Lincoln which I've seen in the port of San Diego.

There are a lot of photos going around the news sites with snaps and videos of the jet engine and the devastation caused by the plane but for some reason these to me are the most poignant pictures. Firstly, the photo of the pilot who had to eject and parachute down to a nearby field. How ironic he was worried about whether or not he'd killed anyone when he is indeed trained to kill - albeit the enemy!!! The public reported him wandering around aimlessly looking dazed and confused. This probably isnt how he saw his military career panning out!

The second photo, for anyone who knows me will know it's an obsession- the men in wellies, the firefighters - the hero's whenever something like this happens.


Sadly, so far there have been three deaths reported which is very sad but considering that this is a built up area it was a miracle that no-one else perished in this terrible accident.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

It's freezing outside - but toastie inside!


Today we had our long awaited log burning stove fitted in the 'dogs room'. We've long debated whether we should buy one so when we both received a bonus from work we decided to put the money towards this. It has not disappointed. Just a few logs later - the whole house is warm and cosey despite the fact that this is an old and draughty house!!!

We can now stick our fingers up at the greedy power companies and it's going to be fun searching for wood at weekends.

On a completely different note, Woolworths called in the receivers today - the end of an era - the end of pick'n'mix!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

I am so proud of Harvey - he really IS a gundog!

I went to gundog training at Druids Lodge next to Stonehenge. I havent been there for a couple of years and after the summer of hell I've had with Harvey and his health I wasnt sure he'd remember it all as we havent trained for months. I need not have worried. Harvey truly is a setter, a true gundog. He has all the natural instincts of any working dog - I simply dont have the time of experience to make him into a trailing dog.

Firstly for a November day the weather was quite amazing. It was around 15 degrees and dry until the last part of the day when there was a shower. Even the wind was just right for setter training.

We set off into one of the fields in this vast estate and all had a few goes at running our dogs. There were so many hare and a few people lost their dogs over the hills by chasing the said hare - boy can those creatures cover the ground!!! Harvey on the other hand put up a hare but only pointed - he did not chase it (oh did I feel smug).

We then had a few more runs in different fields and this time a hare jumped right out in front of Harvey. He ran after it (I defy even the best gundog not to) but after me just calling him twice he came back I felt even more smug). What a good boy!!

Just to put the icing on the cake we had some caged partridges to see how our dogs pointed when they scented birds. Unfortunately by this time it was raining and the wind was non-existent so even for the best setter it was hard to hook onto the scent. Harvey's turn came and we were quite a way away from the cage when I said 'steady' to him (this is the word I've taught him if I see the bird before he scents it) and low and behold he set like a rock - hooked onto the scent and was as steady as a rock!

I'm back home now and looking at Harvey, exhuasted but happy (he LOVES training) and thinking that after today I am even more proud of him and love him even more.


This photo shows my Bailey, Bailey's grandson Harvey and Harvey's son Wooster.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November


It was the day that the United States of America voted in their first black (even though he is half white) president. With a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya he is certainly no mainstream American . He doesnt even descend from slavery.

He is however a very clever, charismatic, handsome man and I wish him all the luck in the world - he's going to need it with all the problems going on in the world today!

Monday, November 03, 2008

Beejay at nearly ten moths old


Beejay is now ten months old and looking so good. This picture shows the head that I feel for with Harvey - he looks so like his father.

He was at a show at the weekend where Meriel Hathaway was judging (who incidenatlly liked and placed Annie well) and gave Beejay a judging of excellent.

This is his report:

Most impressive baby,lovely expression.
Strong neck,ok shoulder construction.
Strong loin. Obviously still to develop.
Coat of correct,texture nicely marked.
Plenty of character. Very confident, happy on the move......

My heart is going to burst with pride!!!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Up North!


Today I have travelled across Lancashire and over to the other side of the Pennines - somewhere I've never been before. It was beautiful and I thank my travelling partner, Ian for taking that route and showing me how beautiful it is. He is himself a Yorkshire man so knew how wonderful 'Gods country' was but hadn't been back for a long time. We found a pub literally on the Derbyshire/West Yorkshire borders called the Dog and Partridge and has a local pint and a ploughmans.

29 years ago today.......

Pippa


I had to travel to Worsley today as part of the print management tender which I am representing as part of the IT team.

On the way up there we passed Nantwich, Cheshire. This is where my first Gordon Setter, Annie was born on this very day 19 years ago.

Pippa, my very first setter (an Irish) was born 29 years ago today as well. This is where my obsession started!



Annie

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Well Done Elijah Blue and Summer!





Tilly has just sent me the news that two of Harvey's pups qualified for Crufts at the Gundog Society of Wales show - Chartan Elijah Blue actually winning the dog puppy class!! I'm bowled over - cant wait to see how they do at Crufts next year.

Off on my Magical Mystery Tour of BOC!

Today was the first of my BOC site visits for the Print Management tender. Today it was Letchworth. It was actually a really good experience. It's so difficult to support these plants when you have no idea what they look like and it makes it all so much better if you know the people personally.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Launchpad is no more!!


I came home to the sad and in some ways tragic news that my neighbour Raymond - known to those of us who'd been in this road for ages as Launchpad had been found dead alone in his house. He earned the name Launchpad from his previous neighbour after building a vast concrete base for.....well something - and three years later it was still a vast concrete base so we all speculated as to what it was and came to the conclusion that he was building a nuclear launchpad - and the name stuck.

Why tragic? Well, because he was so incredibly bitter and lonely espeically since his cousin (who he lived with when I first moved in) passed away and even more tragic that if anyone would befriend him or try to help him he would drive them away by being nasty and vindictive.

A lasting memory of him was when on a trick or treat evening he threw a bucket of water at the kids who dared to knock on his door - he really was the original Grumpy Old Man.

Rest in peace Raymond - although I suspect wherever you are you are having a go at someone!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

RIP French Champion Amscot Jetsetter


Sadly Harvey's sire Jet died today. He was 13 1/2 years old (not bad for a Gordon Setter) and full sister to the only dual champion of this century Champion Amscot Irresista Belle (Trisca). He lived in France with his owner Francine.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

RIP Cool Hand Luke!


Yesterday the world mourned the passing of one of Hollywood's greats, Paul Newman. Today virtually every newspaper had his face printed across the front page. By all accounts this handsome icon was loved and respected by all who knew him and those who only knew his films - and of course his salad dressings :)

Rest in peace Paul Leonard Newman.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Leaving Las Vegas....again!

Our last night in Las Vegas and we met up with my very good friend Nik and her friend Rosie. We met in Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville for lunch and then later at the America bar in New York, New York then onto the bar near Coyote Ugly (who's name escapes me). I got talking to an all american guy who had heard that us Brits are taxed on out TV (well maybe that's what the licence is) and that all pubs have their own brewery out the back LOL!!!

Nik and Rosie left us later on so we gambled and I believe they went onto Rok then off home to Phoenix in the morning!

Again, I'll be so sorry to leave this outrageous town!

The Book Thief


What can I say about this extraordinary book? It's a tale told by Death about World War II as seen by normal Germans who didnt particularly embrace Nazi'ism. I totally enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes a clever book with a very serious message.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Reel 'em In!


We decided to check out out old haunt tonight - the America Bar in the New York, New York and as ever it didnt disappoint. I had this wonderful spinach and ricotta ravioli, Alan had a pizaa that could have served a family of four for a week!!

We then went to the casino floor and after days of disappointment I found Reel 'em In - in fact possibly the very same machine's I used to play on when I've been in the NY,NY before - they were the old machine's not the newly created 'classic' - this is the best slottie!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

VMware Party


I stayed by the pool sipping cocktails and reading the third book of this holiday the very weird and very interesting The Book Thief.

We then went onto the VMware party which this year was held at the Las Vegas Speedway track. I have to say this wasnt really my bag - I hate arcade games and would much rather it had been a party like the last one with just a band with food etc BUT......

The evening was made by the fact that we both met Danica Patrick ( Indi-car driver of great renown) was there but even better was that the photographer had to seperate us as she wouldnt stop talking to me about her days in the UK when she raced for Formula Ford.

Other notable things were the food was very good (mini-burgers, skewers, pizza, ice cream etc etc), the band playing rock were exceptional (didnt think much about the funk band) and the amazing drummer who I believe won the most recent America's Got Talent series. Very talented young guy.

Compare and Contrast. Look at the photo above of the beautifully fit race car driver, Danica....then check out these two fatties - welcome to America!!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

....another day by the pool!


....another day by the pool until amazingly enough it started raining. Not a lot of rain but enough to scare the b'jesus out of any sun loving locals!

I the evening we went to the famous Cheesecake Factory. Good food but far too much. I had Medeira Chicken - with cheese on top??? That's a new one on me!! Alan had Orange Chicken which although tasted really nice was again enough to feed a family of five!

Monday, September 15, 2008

.....a relaxing day by the pool!


What a hard day I had. Alan and I had breakfast by the pool (see picture! That IS a foot long chocolate maple eclair!!) then Alan went off to his conference and I sat by the pool drinking Sour Apple and reading (The Pirates Daughter).

In the we had a fantastic meal at one of our favourite eateries, P F Chang. I would recommend this to anyone who loves Chinese. The wine, food, service, surrounding and atmosphere is second to none - something of an example of everything that's good in America!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

....and so onto Las Vegas...again!

We left Santa Barbara early moring to get to Las Vegas for check in ti

me at 3pm. On the way. as usual we make a half way break for food at Barstow - it was 103 degrees outside! We stopped off as usual at Carls Jr and had (we are creatres of habit) our usual hamburger - it was superb!



Five hours after leaving the quiet, classy, affluent town of Santa Barbara we were in the even increasing urban sprawl of Las Vegas.

We checked into the Flamingo (once owned by Bugsy Segal no less) and asked about upgrading (always ask at the time of booking in - you can quite often get a bargain) and we were successful. The room is quite amazing. We have a shower room with directional jets, we have a TV in the bathroon mirror, we have a large flat TV, two very nice queen sized beds and best of all a great view of the Bellagio's fountains and the Strip!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Downtown Santa Barbara

Today we spent a day in Downtown Santa Barbara. It's certainly somewhere I'd like to explore more. The beach and pier is as ever with Californian beaches, well kept and very user friendly (unlike the UK's beaches where it seems these days that nothing is allowed!)

There is a large shopping area which includes the Santa Barbara Cheese Shop which low and behold is owned by the same guy who owns the Carmel Cheese Shop and who we've seen on TV a number of times - you can tell he's very passionate about cheese!! We bought some bread,cheese and salami and ate in the seats provided outside the shop.

Then onto the beach end of State Street. Wonderful eateries and bars including one called the Kings Road which is pertaining to be a Britsh bar - hmmmm....had a nice pint of pear cider there though and a good suggestion for a pretend snake bite is half pear cider and half Newkey Brown - must give it a try.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Sideways and Solvang!!





So onto the main reason I wanted to stay n Santa Barbara - the vineyards. Made famous by the wonderful film Sideways, this area is now a pilgrimage to anyone how like me, loves wine. So off to Fess Parkers vineyard. Fess Parker was a very famous Hollywood actor in his time, playing Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett in the 50's. He gave all that in to make wine and I have to say after doing the tasting course it's very good!!

Then onto this gorgeous little - not even sure you could call it a town - Los Olivios which is very similar to Sonoma in size. It's full of antique shops and wine tasting rooms advertising the local produce. Here I went into the Epiphany tasting room which belongs to Fess Parkers son, Eli. By this time I'd just about had enough wine!! (cant believe I just said that!!)

So off to the very weird, Solvang. A Danish town in the middle of America. Only photos can really describe what this place is like - words cannot do it justice - wonderful little place and we had a top tuna sandwich as only the Americans - and in this case American/Danish know how!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

September the 11th - seven years on



Today we travelled from Anaheim to Santa Barbara - the only part of the PCH we missed out last year. This meant we took in the very famous Malibu area that we've never been to before. The area is incredibly wealthy with every other car being a Bentley or a Mercedes coupe.

Losing track of time I'd kind of forgotten it was 9/11 so when we saw the most amazing display of american flags outside Pepperdine University it took a while to realise what it was all about. It was a very sobering display to see a flag flying for every victim of the attack.

So onto Santa Barbara. We are in the Pepper Tree Inn - a Best Western motel and very nice it is for a motel. From what I've seen of Santa Barbara so far it looks very nice and again pretty affluent.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The Outcast


My first holiday book for 2008 and what a book. My interpretation of this very deep novel is how that lifes dealings affect people far more deeply than the outside world would know.

It was a great book, a lovely ending and I would recommend this to anyone who likes a thought provoking book.

Take me Down to the ball game!




......and we won, yes after giving the Angels the kiss of death every time we go to see them at last they won in style!! We beat the Yankees, yes the NY Yankees - we have seen the very famous Yankees and we (the not so well known) Angels beat them - good game, good day, good result - beats a day in the office any day!!!



Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Breakfast in America!




First full day in California. We went straight to Dennys for our long awaited breakfast - the South West Skillet which we'd drooled over on the Denny's website. It didnt disappoint! It was gorgeous!

Then onto Disneyland. It was deserted. We made it into the main gate by 10am and by 11:30 had done most of the rides - in some cases up to four times!!! This is the way to do theme parks! The only down side is after being shaken around and going on high speed rides all day you can feel the pain in your neck - and I'm not just talking about Alan LOL!!

We returned to the hotel at about 4:30, chilled out then got ready for our evening out. We met our friend Suzette in the Napa Rose, Grand Californian hotel for a superb meal. I had the lamb chops which were divine. It was a superb evening, great company and good food!!!

Monday, September 08, 2008

Welcome to America!


Here we are back in America once again, and back in good old California. We landed in Lax at about 10.10 UK time 14.10 US time. Picked up the the hire car - upgraded to something ENORMOUS (a Chevvy Suburban) and checked in to the Red Lion, Anaheim.

We had to stay awake, painful as it is until at least 9pm so went off to Main Place shopping mall, looked around and had something to eat in CPK (Californian PIzza Kitchen).

Went back to hotel room and collapsed into a coma!! Slept well, the new beds are very comfortable!!

Saturday, September 06, 2008

again.....Global warming huh?


In the last 24 hours a whole months worth of rain has fallen in England. It's pretty wet here but Wales and Birmingham has areas of flooding and there are 80 odd flood warnings. This August was the dullest in recorded history with some people are already suffering from SAD syndrone and the summer as a whole has seen very little sunlight. From a personal point of view I can see that my plants have suffered from this lack of sunlight in that some have simply not bloomed and things like tomatoes have adopted a winter browning off in August when they should be bearing the most fruit! This is the second really bad summer we've had in a row - if this is global warming I'm emigrating - hang on, didnt I say that about this time last year? I'm so pleased I'm going to California on Monday where at least I can be guaranteed a bit of sunshine!