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!!!

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!!!

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!!

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!

Phew!! Lets hope I can now relax and go on holiday!

Harvey came home after a night spent at the vets being filled with fluids after three days on not keeping food or drinks down. He is now a little tucked up, not totally sure about whether to trust me again - very hungry and pleased to see his girlfriend, Daisy - and she was cock'o'hoop to see him - she came running up the garden when I brought him home and went straight up to him - what a weird pair!!!

"Chooksbury' - the hens new house!

This is the new hen house which looks a lot better than the improvised old kennel they used to live in!

The Nightmare continues....

.......just as I thought after nearly three months of hell regarding Harvey and his health I am back in stressville. I have just six days before I go on my long awaited holiday and Harvey is sick again, this time he cant keep food down, has brought everything up for the last 48 hours. It's looking like I wont actually get on that plane......2008 really hasnt been my year. I guess I chose the wrong week to give up alcohol!!

I am no longer a Surf owner!

Today my faithful Toyota Hilux went to a new home.....in Bolton!! Thankfully though it went to a true Surf fanatic which is good because it was such a fun 4x4 and although I have this new swanky Pathfinder I will totally miss the fun of my old Surf!

Beejay does it again

Beejay is still winning. He attained best puppy this weekend with a grading by Moray Armstrong of 'very promising' and this is the critique:

Pleasing head, good eye + expression.
Excellent bone
Very good shoulders, ribs + quarters.
sound, stylish puppy with
excellent side profile.

1 Very Promising
Best Puppy.

But even a superstar has to chill out sometimes....