My first egg!!!

Well, today was a special day. Marigold presented me with my first ever egg! I cant believe how exciting this can be! Alan had it for breakfast as a boiled egg and he said it was the best egg he'd had in years!

(more) Stormy Weather!

Well, I'm signed off sick this week and could I have been signed off and confined to barracks on a worse week? If the virus doesnt get me, cabin fever will! The weather has been truly appalling and today it peaked. The gales have so far taken nine live in the UK and I'm sure this wont be the total number. There were gusts up to 99mph, trees down - the willow at the end of our road came down - a wall fell over on a little boy and killed him, the MD of Brum Int Airport was killed on his way to work as a branch from a fallen tree was rammed through his windscreen, Godalming had their power out nearly all day, Southsea was virtually under water, people in London had to cling onto buildings as they tried to stay upright, lorries fell over en masse on the M25 and Scotland had their first real snow fall of the year - quite a day!

My day consisted of trying to walk the dogs on the ranges and not being able to even walk against the wind. There was surface water everywhere (which Harvey loves!) and after about 15 mins I gave up and turned round - it was too scarey, I could hear the trees creaking and bending around me.

I feel so sorry for my chicken, they just dont like the wet and although they have shelter and a nice warm hut it still doesnt stop their feet getting wet which they hate. They seem pretty happy though especially if I take them a load of greens, corn and nuts down there!

I am at last begining to feel human again but this is coming up to week three, its taken such a long time, I honestly cant remember feeling this ill for a long, long time.

Bend it Like Beckham!

Well, what an announcement - David Beckham is to join the Los Angeles Galaxy Soccer team (actually better known for the Galaxy Womens team hmmmm). So Beckham has made his transistion to Hollywood without being an actor - well done him I say. I think he'll love the life in California.

The Galaxy play at the Home Depot Center, just outside Carson so the next time we're in LA we may try to buy tickets to see how America does footie - providing they do the same deals as they do in baseball ie buy tickets from season holders directly (unlike the ridiculous Football season ticket debacle over here!) - I have never been to a football match ever but I can honestly say that if the US put the same fun, family atmosphere (as well as beer!) around soccer as they do in baseball it will certiainly be a fun day out and you never know The Galaxy could become my team the same as the Mighty Ducks and the Angels of Anaheim!

Stormy Weather!

Not only do I have just about the worst case of flu possible but the weather is incredibly bad! I dont think it's stopped raining apart from the odd day for over a month now and last night was just about as bad as it can get. There were storms all over the country, gale force winds, trees coming down on cars, walls blown over, bridges closed - is this global warming? I dont know. I sometimes think we are a little arrogant as a species that we as humans can actually change the earths climate - could it not just be a phase like the ice age. Is this not just a natural phenomenon? I dont know but what I do know is that if I turn the TV off stand by or walk to the paper shop once a week instead of taking my car this is going to have absolutely no affect when the Chinese are opening ten coal fired power stations every week - just aint gonna make a difference! Why have a go at the Americans who just by the size of their country HAVE to travel miles each day when it's the evolving new rich world that is really killing this planet - but there again who's going to say a word when all we want these days are cheap products huh? Quite a moral dilemma!

I opened the door and influenza!

After not feeling too bad for the last couple of days the virus has hit like a lump hammer! As the evening went on I felt worse and worse. Aching limbs, headache worse that a richter scale hang over - fever! You name it....I suppose I shouldnt have gone back to work so soon but as I work for an unsympathetic despot of a boss (did I mention he didnt even wish me a Happy Christmas let alone Happy New Year) I felt obliged to crawl into work on Monday and now I pay the cosequences!

Just to make me feel even lower I found out today that Zephyr (on the right Sh Ch Kilnrae Zephyr JW) Harvey's mum and Bailey's daughter, is expecting a litter of seven on the 15th February and the sire is probably one of the most prolific males we've had in the breed since Lourdace Mineer of Liric. I would do anything to be able to have one so that I can show a dog this year but I know Alan will walk if I have a third dog - so now I have a summer of no dog shows and after nearly 30 years that is still very difficuly to deal with. I will however go to Crufts - I have qualified as it's more of a show case for our breed than a competition. There's no way I'll come anywhere but hey! I've qualified and this may be the last time for a while.

Just had the first schedule of the season through the post (WELKS) but it's a judge who has said that she doesnt rate Harvey - he is too small, it's time to pull him out of competition. What a shame, such a promising puppy. I am gutted.

Happy Birthday Harvey!

Well, it's hard to believe that Harvey is two years old today. I can still remember vividly the night that Karen (the breeder) sent me text msgs throughout the evening as the pups arrived - a litter of seven - all males apart from one which was good as it meant I had a good choice from five (I had second choice). I went to see the litter at three weeks old and then at five to choose the one I wanted. It took hours, they were all so nice and all so uniform but this one kept coming back to me, handsome, outgoing, a superb physique and the charm of Leslie Phillips (which he still has when he wants his own way!!) I like to think that Harvey chose me.

I can honestly say that in nearly 30 years of owning Setters, Harvey is the most biddable, trainable, loveable and laid back of any of them. He is a darling - that's not taking anything away from Bailey, he is also a wonderful dog but as he only came to live with me as a four year old (although I'd known him since the day he was born) so I didnt have to go through all the trials and tribulations of a puppy which although at times can leave you pulling your hair out, it also bonds you with that particular dog.

So here's to you Harvey (Kilnrae French Toast of Billingham) happy second birthday and hopefully there will be many, many more - my little soulmate!

...oh, and also happy second birthday to siblings Brie, Wallace, Alfie, Flynn, Louis and Skip who lives in the Netherlands. A wonderful litter!

Grumpy New Year!

It's true, ever since the millenium new years cocks up all over the country I havent celebrated the New Year with anything other than watching Jools Holland with a decent bottle of wine. I just cant see the point of getting far too drunk on over priced booze, no chance of a taxi home, 2 million people squezzed into a 500 capacity bar, not being able to shuffle to the loo and when you do get there there's always someone crying about just being chucked or being sick!!

Apart from that it's pouring down with rain, gale force winds and weather warnings all over the country - call that fun battling out in this weather - er no!

Taking the dogs out at the moment is tantemount to murderous torture. My calves, hamstrings and achiles all hurt due to trying to trudge through mud in wellies. I sometimes feel like I'm moonwalking - one step forward, two steps back and it's more slippery than ice sometimes - Oh, and not to mention the state of my garden - a quagmire! Then the house is a constant cleaning effort with two very wet dogs coming back from the walk - Grumpy? Yes, very - I hate this kind of winter weather, there is NOTHING to like about it!

So here I am raising a grumpy glass to a better 2007. I honestly feel a little more positive this year about 'the Company'. I am sure in my heart of heart that the Indian invasion bubble has burst (or is seriously deflating) and that their days are numbered - and if it doesnt here goes yet another qualified, knowledgable IT professional - I wont be going down this route again (how about a postman, dog walking company - anything's got to be better than being treated like the proverbial piece of sh*t!) watch this blog space!

Happy New Year and may you have a healthy and Prosperous 2007.

from

Louise, Other Half, Bailey, Harvey, Daisy, Marigold and Souffle

Plain Truth......

This will be my third book by Judi Picoult and as usual, I am now bored with her writing. Unlike my partner Alan who can read every single book by his favourite author (Terry Pratchett) and never tires of their style, I can only do a maximum of three with each author.

I enjoyed Plain Truth and especially liked the insight into the Plain (or Amish) people but I struggled with finishing it and it took me far longer than the others I've read by JP one of which I read on a flight home from Las Vegas (The Pact - the best!).

Plain Truth is about an unmarried 18 year old Plain girl who is accussed of killing her new born baby. It's heart wrenching at times and wait for the final twist on one of the last pages - a good book but I think I just got tired of her writing so not up there with Her Sisters Keeper and best of all The Pact.

Boxing Day and not a heavyweight fight in sight ;)

My first true day of relaxation. No having to deliver pressies, no wrapping, writing or sending - no cooking for the 5000 - total relaxation and not even any cooking to do - God knows there are enough leftovers from yesterday to keep me snacking for weeks!

It was cool but not wet, muddy or freezing so I started tidying up the garden and socialising with my hens so that they slowly get to know me. Today saw a corner turned as they now both eat corn out of my hand! Marigold if the most foreward but Souffle likes Bailey - I now know why - she's after his twinkly gold name tag!!! I should have called her Bling, Bling!

A really lovely day and it actually felt at long last that I am on holiday!

Oh, I Wish it could be Christmas Every Day!

I have to come clean and say that I'm not always the biggest fan of Christmas not being that religeous and not having any children but I do enjoy giving presents (as well as sometimes receiving them ;))

This year as I previously blogged I had an Eglu - a very urban and trendy chicken house with two young hens. They have only been with me for a few days but I can already see that they are developing characters of their own and becoming very tame - even pecking Bailey through the weldmesh! It has so far been a wonderful present, I love the fact that it keeps me outside for longer than usual, keeps my mind of 'The Company' and gives me something very new to learn about.

Anyway, my parents came along for Christmas day which was really nice. Christmas dinner was acceptable I think and all in all a good Christmas day.

As well as my Eglu I received a pair of Heelys - OK, OK, I know the average age of a Heely is 9 but I have small feet, they had my size so I asked Alan if I could have a pair - I just need to keep any injuries occurring from Heelying secret from bosses, friends, relations etc as I will never live it down!

I had loads of Accesorize jewellery, the Simon Schama book on art (see previous Blog to see my newly acquired boring interest of art!) an incredible book about setters than I'd never seen before and a barrel waver to give my hair lovely curls - and it works!

The dogs and cat all had their Christmas dinner and appreciated it (Bailey also loves walnuts!!) they are now completely dead to the world - too much turkey no doubt!

I have now had too much to drink over the day, too much to eat, I'm tired from the cooking so it's time to turn in and reflect on one of my better Christmas days!