It's official, the wettest winter on record and I suspect the coldest April for a very long time!

This has been the worst winter I have every experienced and the facts prove this, its been the wettest winter, some of the coldest months on record....even now its nearly the end of April and we're not put of the woods despite the sunny day we've had today........no bluebells out, no cuckoo, butterflies hatching but nothing to feast on.......its been awful....and I dont see a good show season for Brodie, the lack of sunlight and the months and months of mud means his coat is just not up to championship show quality - just as he was beginning to look mature!

Employed again after exactly two years!

Today I started my new job at the University of Surrey, Guildford. I can hardly believe my luck, not only is it local enough for me to see my beloved dogs every lunchtime, the people are lovely, the place is nice BUT I now dont work on Friday - something I could have only dreamed of!

Post Crufts Fatigue!

It's hard being an international superstar!!!! He charmed the many and frustrated a lot with his loud mouth but I took the best dog home, he is the sweetest Gordon!

Crufts 2013 - Judge Steve Rhodes - class Mid Limit

My Beloved Brodie, mad as a box of frogs and not the easiest dog to show but very proud of him today at what is the largest dog show in the world! A very respectable fourth in his first Mid Limit class - I think he would have done better if the carpet hadn't been so slippy as he looked over stretched! 

A very hard day, a lot of stress, I'm very tired but so wonderful to see all my overseas friends as well as the usual suspects that I see most weekends in the show season and the general public who I think Brodie did a wonderful PR job with!

Crufts Entered!!

I know my nerves are not going to thank me for this but I've entered Brodie in the biggest dog show on earth ......Crufts!!! Fingers crossed it dries up before March!!

A promise of snow?

After a promise of snow for the last week I'm afraid it was business as usual and more mud and wet, filthy dogs. THis winter has really taken it out of me, all my joints ache as well as my shoulders and back. Trudging through mud for the whole of the winter with no frosty respite, washing my dogs every week and the lack of sunshine has made this winter one of the worst I can recall! The sun actually shone today but no snow, just quite chilly....

Going out on a Saturday Night - wahoo!

This is the first Saturday night out I've had in literally years! Had a wonderful even ing out in Fareham with Alan's mates. Good setting, nice people, good time!

Goodbye and Good Riddance 2012!

Well what a year. I've had to really think about anything good that happened in 2012. Apart from the weekend in Oslo and the wonderful discovery of Palm Springs the rest of they year paled into what was possibly my worst! The depression, the loneliness, the despair of not having a job.....not having any colleagues to moan about life to, only speaking to dogs all day, relying on FB for any contact with the outside world. The total despair, the fear that you are losing your sanity! Losing your job is not just about losing the monthly income. It's about losing your confidence, losing your sense of identity, your sense of worth and pride....and not to mention (again) your sanity! Being in this 'black dog' means you dont identify hope, happiness or excitement...I have even considered giving up my beloved dog showing as its more of an ordeal instead of a pleasure as leaving the house is an ordeal....my confidence, my 'I can do anything' has disappeared completely. This year I also lost Bailey which was in a way a relief as he was very ill and his blindness meant he wasnt totally happy but he was the best dog, a wonderful character and I'll always miss him.....sadly Brodie and Harvey dont get on which culminated in yet more worry and Harvey being castrated. oh and the weather, oh the weather!! The wettest year for England on record, a total wash out, no flowers, no vegetables, no sunshine. Crops failed and I feel like I need joint replacements after trudging through mud every day with the dogs. For the country it actually wasn't a bad year with the olympics and the jubilee (again more bloody rain) a total success which I hope have highlighted Britain as a possible country of investment.

But on a personal level, awful year, lets just hope that 2013 is better....much better!!!

the final part of the holiday

....and so onto an old favourite, San Diego. On an fellow guests advice we took the scenic route from Palm Springs, across the mountains and what good advice it was too. A very quiet, mountain road trip with no other cars or people....until we hit San Diego! We stayed further up the hill this time in the Radisson Hotel. A very comfortable, friendly hotel with a fab pool on the roof and a wonderful roof top bar that did wonderful bar food. It also had a great shop in the foyer in which I bought a dress, two tops and some Navajo jewellery!

Palm Springs - day three

Yet another day spent by the pool, drinking bucks fizz, reading and chilling out. This place is so peaceful (no screaming kids and not at all crowded) that relaxing comes easily - even to me! Not sure it's as warm as yesterday but still in the high 30's.