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.

Quite Interesting!

Tonight I ticked another box in things I would love to do - this time it was to see Stephen Fry and even better hosting my favourite TV programme - QI.

We made our way from Waterloo onto the Jubilee Walk and had a late lunch/early dinner in Las Iguanas for a Mexican meal which was really good and pretty reasonable for London - certainly better value than New York!

We then made our way to the London Studios and had to queue for over an hour in the raging wind to make sure we had a seat. It was all worth it and soon forgotten as we were in the second row and near enough to the stars that when they walked on stage we could have touched them (but of course we didnt). The guests tonight were Rich Hall, Clive Anderson and Phil Jupitus - it was a fantastic evening and Stephen Fry is a living legend!

Book Read: The suspicions of Mr Wicher by Kate Summerscale

A murder whodunnit with a difference. This is more a factual book than a novel but when you start will maybe not realise is that it heralds the beginning of detectives and crime investigations.

Hang on! Whatever happened to Xenophobia?

Tonight was the 54th Eurovision Song Contest (otherwise known as WWIII).

This year after so many years of east europeans voting for the country that supplies their gas or their neighbour we were blessed by having Andrew Lloyd-Webber writing and producing our song plus I think the judging system has been changed to try to stop this xenophobia.

We came a very healthy 5th - which when you consider we have been last for the last couple of years was a true bonus.

The winner was a little elf of a boy called Alexander Rybak and his song Fairytale. Alexander hails from Norway although he was born in Russia but we'll forgive him this - it was a good song and a worthy winner.

This was the first year without Terry Wogan but Graham Norton was a very, very good replacement - cheers to whoever thought of giving him the job!

Congratualtions to Brie on the safe delivery of five puppies!

Brie gave birth to five Gordon Setter puppies - 3 girls and 2 boys. Hopefully they will be stars of the future - Harvey should be a very proud uncle!

Brie is Kilnrae French Kiss (Fr Ch Amscot Jetsetter ex Sh Ch Kilnrae Zephyr) and the pups are by Amscot Dramatist. Could one of these be my future champion???