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!

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 :)

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!!

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.