So much for a life of leisure!

I can honestly say that since I left work I've not stopped. I rarely sit down until 8pm there are so many things to do. As it's not so hot this week I've taken the dogs on a long walk every day. I've painted the 'dogs' room as it was looking tired and dirty. It's amazing what a lick of paint can do. I've been to the Farmers Market and the Guildford market for fruit and veg. I've had a make-up consultation for products and tips on how to hide my vitiligo, I've been swimming, I've changed my vets to an old fashioned type vet - not the supermarket style that I'm currently with, I've tidied the house from top to bottom, mowed the lawn and done a little bit of gardening! If I dont lose weight now I never will!

Captain America comes to Goodwood.....

.....40 years after the film was released.

I love Easy Rider and have been lucky enough to see Captain America's replica shopper a couple of times but this years Festival of Speed at Goodwood saw the star of the film, Peter Fonda not only attend the festival but also ride the hog up 'The Hill' - sadly I was not there but the photo's were all over the Sunday Papers!

cars, fumes, noise and weirdos.....then there was the helicopter ride!

The festival of speed was the same as usual, lots of cars, lots of fumes, lots of noises and singlehandedly removing the ozone layer in one weekend!! The new stuff this year were some NAS cars which was strange to see as we've actually been to a couple of american speedway tracks and the 'hill' must seem very narrow compared to their tracks. The late Dale Earhardt's daughter, Taylor was driving one of the Monte Carlo's - only 20 years old and not really into car racing like her father and brother - she is a champion barrel racer!!! What a girl!!

The highlight for me was seeing the Captain America's Chopper (so much about choppers here!) as ridden by Peter Fonda in Easy Rider (a fave film of mine) who I understand was there today. OK, OK, for purists out there I know its not the 'real' one as the two used in the film were 1) destroyed at the end of the film 2) lost forever (idiots!) but this is in every way a complete relica.

We also saw Jesse James of the West Coast Chopper fame (as well as being an actor) driving his - well what can you call it, an off-roader? It was mad and he is very handsome - even if a little overly tattooed for me :)

The pinacle of the day was however, my very first ride in a helicopter. I've wanted to have a ride in one since local company Ben Turner offered a ride for each year in my school by way of a raffle - I was ten, I wanted it so much I tried to bribe a fellow student into swapping with me.....I've waited a long time for this and I can honestly say it was one of the best six minutes of my life - a truly wonderful experience! I would recommend it to anyone!


I also made a big mistake....I sat on a Harley Sportster. It felt wonderful, it was a mistake as I now want to get back on a bike!!! Argh! Bring on the mid-life crisis! (this isnt the Sportster, this bike was far too large for me - I couldnt touch the brake but the Sportster - ooh I'll have dreams about that one tonight :))

Brodie is going to join Billingham

Today I went to see my future Gordon Setter champion. He will join Billingham on the 11th of July.

He is gorgeous and it was love at first sight. His name will be Kilnrae Kemerton Crusader of Billingham.

Book read: Engleby byt the genius Sebastian Faulks

A completely different book from Faulkes' usual style of writing and theme. Engleby is a working class boy who makes it to one of the best universities in the country by way of a scholarship - but he has a secret.....

Very good, very thought provoking and a very unique view on mental illness.

The ties have finally been cut....

Today after nearly thirteen years I have left BOC. I dont think it's quite sunk in yet that I am now unemployed but also I feel like a huge weight has been removed from my shoulders.

I was bowled over by my colleagues reactions and kind words and a collection of an unbelievable 85 pounds - which I believe is one of the highest ever collected in the IT dept. That kind of thing makes you feel quite fuzzy - especially as my redundancy is all the work of one very unpopular man - who incidentally wouldnt even contribute to the collection!!

..anyway onto the evening do. The people who turned up WERE the people I wanted there and the man I didnt wasnt invited. A lot of ex colleagues - also victims of redundancy turned up which was just so nice, I feel humbled and loved which has been something that has definitely been missing from the office in recent years.

Today begins the rest of my life, new start, new life and completely 'Bomber' free!

Book Finished: When will there be good news

Another Richard and Judy recommendation and although maybe not as deep and challenging as some books I have read recently it was a thoroughly cracking read.

About an old murder that comes back to haunt the survivor plus another half a dozen really strong characters whose paths all meet because of the the murder. Funny, sad, fast and easy to read - I loved it.

Could this be the next Billingham?

He is everything I want, chunky, masculine, handsome and well made.

I'm going to see him next week......so watch this space.

Chartan Brooklyn - Dutch Junior Champion!

Today Harvey's son Beejay - Chartan Brooklyn became a Dutch Junior Champion as well as receiving the reserve CAC. I am beaming with pride. I knew the minute I clapped eyes on that puppy that he was special!

Book Read: The Gargoyle - Andrew Davidson

This was a completely unexpected delight. I adored this book and can recommend it to anyone who likes a mixture of raw life with the surreal, fantasy world of re-incarnation.

About a handsome porn star who is involved in a near fatal car crash where he not only loses his looks but also his penis.

Then steps in a beautiful and enchanting woman....who tells him great tales of his previous life.