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.

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!

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.

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!

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!!!

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

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.

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!