This time last year!

We were covered in a blanket of snow and I have to cancel my trip to Vienna.......this year, there is still no mud, it's hardly rained and it's still comparatively warm for this time of year!

day two of battery hen rescue

Day two and although we were told they wouldnt know how to roost wouldnt know where to lay eggs, eat pellets or climb the ramp they have done all of this by day two - and seem to be relishing it!

They are also getting on surprisingly well with the other hens!

The Ex-Battery Hen Diary

Today we picked up four ex-battery hens that would have otherwise been assigned to the pie factory as their egg laying potential had waned.

I thought I was prepared emotionally to see these poor, cruelly treated creatures but what I saw made me cry. They were bald, scruffy, and either shocked or euphoric - I dont know.

The hens are now in bed after a day of scratching around for the first time and will sleep on straw fro the first time.......

RSPCA Photography Awards

Alan won a commended award for his photo of a fox cub at the RSPCA Photography awards.

The 1st October - the hottest on record!

What an absolutely gorgeous day, and as it turns out it really was a record breaker. 29.5 in Gravesend, Kent and about 28 here in sunny Guildford!!!

Oktoberfest 2011

I honestly cant recall having this much fun, I can hardly speak, I ache all over but had the best time......ever! The Germans certainly know how to have a good time!

Brodie - the grown up!

At two years old Brodie now has to go into the big boys classes with mature 3 and 4 year olds. Post Grad at Windsor and yet again he was placed. I am so proud, only 5th (VHC) but at least not last and not chucked out - he continues to amaze me!

The Hottest and most uncomfortable day of the year!

Totally unbearable - humidity must be up in the 80%'s!

Purple Emperor!

Spotted in the garden today, the illusive and pretty rare Purple Emperor!

Buff Orpingtons

After sadly losing Padme and Leia to old age we needed a couple more chooks to keep the numbers up. I had my heart set on a Legbar but as none were of sexable age I nearly walked away - then I spotted these two Buff Orpingtons - beautiful pair, really friendly already and not a lot of squabbling from the Sussex and Cuckoo!!! They are Buffy and Willow as in Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

RIP Columbo!

One of the most entertaining actors from my youth, Columbo was on a part of my weekly TV schedule when only three channels existed. Sadly Peter Falk lost his final case at the age of 83.

Thanks for the wonderful memories!

My Latest Read - Woman in White

I watched the Sebastian Faulks programme about 'the novel' and this was one of the books he mentioned that I'd not heard of and hadn't read. Apparently Wilky Collins was a friend of Dickens which is probably why I enjoyed it so much as I'm a big fan of Dickens. You have to get past the 'olde English' style of writing and the amazing politeness of people but when you do it becomes a wonderful whodunnit!! Brilliant story, beautifully written.

Brodie continues his winning way!

Brodie's first adult class at championship level and he wins the class!!! Well chuffed!

May Day!

It's now the 1st of May, not even really summer and still no rain. It has now been glorious sunshine for six weeks with not a drop of rain, just one storm which I could see but no sign of in Guildford. I have never known such an early summer but even more I cant remember a period this long of lovely weather - and I'm unemployed - yippee!

The Royal Wedding - proud to be British!

I dont care what anyone says, no-one does pomp and circumstance like we do! I was sooooo proud, this was Britain at it's best - and we saw the flyover going past here before it descended on Buck House!

Happy 13th Birthday Bailey

After having a couple of wobblers over the last two weeks Bailey celebrated his 13th birthday. He is for the time being fit and well and totally enjoying life despite being totally blind.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAILEY! xxxx

Late on-set PRA DNA Test Result

Waiting for these results was for me agonising! Having lived with a blind dog for over two years I desperately wanted my dogs to be clear - if not a carrer. The results were that Harvey is CLEAR (which is so good for his kids and grand kids) and Brodie is a CARRIER which isnt the end of the world but a little disappointing.

Two new additions to the Billingham menegerie!

Today we welcomed two new chooks into the garden - Nugget and Tikka a Sussex Light cross and a Cuckoo Maran cross.

Crufts 2011 - Brodie continues to do well - even at the largest dog show in the world!

Brodie did me proud by yet again being placed at a championship show - not just any championship show but Crufts where qualifying is an honour but to come home with a prize is just brilliant!

Brodie came third in Special Yearling therefore qualifying him for Crufts 2012!

Brodie continues his winning way!

Winning the Special Yearling and coming second in Undergraduate - Brodie continues his winning way and at last is beginning to behave!!

Books.....Room by Emma Donahue

A wonderful book like no other book I've ever read - very clever.

About a little boy, Jack who was born into captivity and have never known anything other than the room he lives in with his prisoner mother - all told from the perspective of a five year old child.

Unemployed again - but the weather is just fantastic!

I left the College of Law (aka the Hell Hole) after a year. I have no regrets, I have learned a lot, finished the project and been paid for the last year BUT just thinking about the place makes me nauseus - good riddance!

I have left the Hell Hole!

Despite the future being unsure and no job in the pipeline, I feel relieved after leaving the College of Law after a year. I called it the Hell Hole because that's exactly what it was. The place was full of losers who like me were only there because they couldnt find anything else in these hard times OR they were too lazy or to under-qualified for fina alternative employment.

I had to work with an old, knackered P4 Desktop Computer, behind a very noisy, very over-used printer, in an office that was so hot you fell asleep every afternoon, with colleagues that sat so near to you they could read your emails (even your so-called boss), no mobile phone or ability to have a private phone call as all the site was VOIP and a mobile phone (just 3.50 a month) was not considered appropriate for my role so I had to negotiate in the middle of this over-crowded office - the list goes on, working for a truly dim person who had no idea of man management, IT or standards, with her boss not having a role so making up little projects as she went along. Hell on earth!!

It was somewhere between the Brittas Empire and Fawlty Towers - goodbye to bad rubbish - things as they song goes can only get better!

1/1/11 - my lucky number is one so this should be a good'un!

So 2011 begins. Surely this has got to be better than 2010! I dont know anyone who've had a good 2010 but I've had my share of crap!

The bad points:
Unemployed for the first quarter
taking a a job while waiting for another company to decide - wrong decision - terrible job
Harvey took a dislike to Brodie (understatement)
Harvey decided to bunk at every opportunity on walks - taking his nephew with him - had to bring in a behaviourist
being diagnosed with clinical depression
going on my well earned holiday and falling over at Hearst Castle and not being able to sleep properly for the rest of the break due to a bruised rib!
my loved and trusted house sitter resigning
trying to take a well deserved, romatic break to Vienna and the snow comes and all flights cancelled
coming home from the holiday to be confronted with a letter about a lump in my breast!
my hair falling out and having to have all my hair cut off
my weight ballooning due to lack of energy and depression
having a near breakdown

the good points:
winning Best Puppy dog at the GSA Champ show
the lovely long summer

so I welcome 2011 - and say good riddance to 2010 but......