It never rains in California.....but in New York it pours and pours!!

Today we were at a loose end, we had plans yes, to go up the Rock (Rockerfeller centre), cycle round Central Park - but no, just as in the homeland the weather got the better of us and in hindsight maybe we should have gone home today BUT if I had I wouldn't have bought my seventh (I think) pair of Oakleys and best of all my little treat to me a Radley handbag - the only bag that comes with it's own Scotty Dog :) Alan didnt buy anything except an umbrella but there again he has spent all his bonus on that new Camera from the legendary B&H photography shop.

Sadly, the weather got the better of us and after ending up completely soaked (including a taxi driver completely covering me with water) so we gave up, came back to the hotel and I am now sitting in the bar of the hotel with a glass of Zin, a good book and a few hours to spare which to be honest is well earned after walking so many miles I need a new pair of feet!!!

For pur final meal of the trip we are going to a favourite of Alan's, the Heartland Brewery which is a microbrewery pub - and you never know I may actually have a steak.

Well done Wallace - Harvey's brother is made up to UK Show Champion

While hiding from the rain in New York I find out from my email that Harvey's brother, Wallace is now Show Champion Kilnrae French Connection avec Attrick - congrats to Debra, Karen and of course Wallace.

pssst.....I'm not jealous at all :)

....and find I'm top of the heap (or should that be bunt), A number one!!

Oh yes - we did it again, we (the Anaheim Angels) beat the Yankees but this time in style as we beat them at the brand spanking new Yankees Stadium. Even with the mighty Jeter on form and slugging the ball for miles they still couldnt get anywhere near us Angels - great result, great day and even better the weather was warm and sunny.

Notable differences between baseball in California and New York. Firstly no decent beer on sale, drinking in the grounds is definitely not encouraged - you would burst before you got drunk on Bud Light!! It's on the end of a train (Metro this time just to make even more confusion) line in the middle of concrete bridges and tunnels - in Anaheim its in the middle of almost an industrial site with nothing for miles so a car is essential. There is a lot of after match drinking and partying as lined up all along the outside of the stadium are bars and bars and more bars. In Anaheim you simply get in your car and drive home.

RIP Danny Gans

Anyone who has been to Las Vegas in the last 13 years will know the name Danny Gans. It doesnt matter if you've not seen his act, not a fan or have no interest - you will know his name - he is on every bill, every other taxi, his act is recommended in every entertainment site and magazine. It's with complete shock that I read on KVBC today that he died today at the tender age of 52 - cause at this stage unknown. Las Vegas will never be the same again......

Taking the subway to Hoboken

After doing a little retail therapy in the shape of Macy's and of course my personal favourites K-Mart and Duane Reade we made out way back to the hotel to get ready for the evening.

The rain turned into a full-on storm - it was by about 6pm pouring with rain.

After riding the tube (ooop I mean the PATH) to Hoboken to meet two of our colleagues from the company in the US (Dave and Dave) we went to a bar (Texas Arizona) which was amazingly similar to any UK bar on a Friday night - had a few drinks and went onto Arthurs Steakhouse - much to everyones amazement I didnt have a steak and when they came out I was pleased I opted for a sandwich - they were HUGE!!!! But looked gorgeous!

Hoboken looked really nice and so much more small town than Manhattan - wouldnt mind exploring it a little more. From what we saw there are loads of bars, restaurants and niche shops - a little like Tiburon in that its away from the big city feel but near enough to be accessible.

After having a truly awesome evening by which time I looked as if I had a full afro - it was incredibly humid - we travelled back on the path, returned to the Hotel and fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.

I'll take Manhattan

Sadly, the weather hasnt lasted so it was just as well we went to Central Park when we did as it was lovely yesterday.

We walked for what seemed like forever down to the Hudson to see the USS Intrepid which is now a museum. It's quite amazing to think this monstrosity of engineering was launched in 1943 when lets face it aircraft combat was in in infancy. It's also well preserved (unlike most UK memorials) and everything is still in tact right down to the phone's, toilets (sorry heads) and the catpatins cabin furniture and accessories. I believe this ship has seen quite a few wars including WWII and he Korean war - there's even an amazing photo of it being hit by a Kamakaze. If this was British it would have been scrapped for scrap metal years ago such is our disregard for our history and heritage. This is made even clearer with one the Britsh Airways Concorde displayed just next to the Intrepid - a great invention, a great inovation, still the only one of its kind and forgotten about in a instant in the UK - how ironic that we have to go to America (Where at first they wouldnt let the plane fly there such were their sour grapes at not having invented it) to see this wonderful feat of British engineering!

I want to wake up in a city that doesnt sleep!

...and I certainly did. I woke up in Avenue of the Americas (5th Ave) New York City just four blocks from Central Park.

After breakfast in Strabucks, we made our way to the Ed Sullivan Theatre, the home of one of my favourite American programmes, The David Letterman Show. We picked up a sandwich from the Hello Deli (also made famouse by Dave Letterman) and started walking.

We walked round the outside of the Central Park (longer tour on bikes tomorrow) had our lunch there and then went onto shop, shop, shop!!!











It's also worth pointing out as I'm a dog fanatic the diverse breeds I spotted in the park. Two Irish Wolfhounds (now of course a rarity in their native), Wheaten Terrier, Poodles, Jack Russells, a blue Shar Pei (not sure they're allowed over here), French Bulldog, Bulldog, Boxers, Yankee Spaniels as well as English Cockers - not as many pugs or chihuahua's as expected. It was quite amazing how many dogs live in such a sprawling city - the only other city I've seen with as many is Paris.

WELKS 2009 - I may not have been there in body...

What a truly amazing day, yes I was at home, enjoying the sun in the garden but while I was doing that Harvey's son was winning junior (and this qualifying for Crufts on his first visit to the UK) and Bailey's son, Pelle (also from the Netherlands) taking the Reserve CC. Plus Karen won the Gundog breeders trophy. What an amazing day for this line of Gordon Setters.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.....

......as the saying goes. After a wonderful day at the show yesterday and a very satifying return to the ring I am told today that I will probably be losing my job and being made redundant in the next few weeks.

At the moment I am extremely angry at the way I've been treated and feel a terrible loss of self worth but I understand this is normal.

You're Fired

I am still in shock - I only entered to see some old friends and have a day away from the office!

I went to Windsor Gundog just to see old friends and keep my hand in. I didnt think the judge would even look at Harvey as hers are quite big Gordons. I was wrong. Out of a class of eleven (very big for a week day open show) we came 2nd - after Harvey's half brother Barra. I was completely gobsmacked - I really had only entered the show for a day out, to come home with a prize was an added bonus plus Harvey behaved and performed like a true veteran - such a little gentleman.