So, I was going to write an update post, full of detail about what I've been doing these last few months. But then I thought, What the heck!! Hardly anyone ever reads it anyway, so if you really want to know then shout and I'll write it. For now, I'm just going to list a few of the things I did, then draw a line underneath and start again.
*Steam Fayres/Retrofestival - great fun!
*Still running.
*Still playing badminton.
*Pets all fine.
*Rory qualified with a young person, and goes to school every day!
*I broke my mobile phone. There's a whole saga surrounding this, but eventually I got it replaced.
*Went camping.
*Entered the garden society show. Got a couple of second places and a third.
*Niece #1 went off to university!
*I was a 'misper' (missing person) for search and rescue dogs again. It rained. Boy, did it rain!!! I got wet.
*We passed the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
*Went to Swallowfield show.
So, here's the line... followed by a fresh start!
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Failed.....
I've failed to keep up with my blog.... again!!!
....Oooops!!
I haven't got time now, but I'll write an update post soon. Don't hold your breath though, it's not that exciting!!
....Oooops!!
I haven't got time now, but I'll write an update post soon. Don't hold your breath though, it's not that exciting!!
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Quiet times
It's been a quiet couple of weeks with regards to things to blog about, although I keep busy as always. I've currently got my Sister-In-Law's dog staying and he's a sweetie, although suffers with some seperation anxiety which can make things a bit difficult because he barks when I leave him. He's fine if I go out of the house because he knows I've gone completely, but he wants to be with me all the time when I'm here. Since he can't come upstairs (he's old and his legs aren't great, and I don't allow dogs upstairs anyway since it upsets the cats) he doesn't settle well at night. Anyway, I've checked that he's not disturbing the neighbours and they don't hear him, so it's not a big deal.
Last night was the running club 'track challenge'. We were in teams of four, and we each had a short distance, mid distance and then 2 team relays. I did the 200m, 1 mile, and leg one of 4x100 and leg two of 4x400. I did OK for me, but I'm nowhere near as fast as the others. I was pleased with my mile time though, I did 7 mins 35 secs or something like that. (I'll check when the results get posted on the website) I've never timed myself over 1 mile before, I usually run between 9-10 min miles but over a longer distance. I definitely could not have gone any further at that speed last night! Our team came 5th out of 6, but the winning team was all fast blokes so I didn't feel too bad. We had one guy who's not run since January due to injury, a young lad about 12 years old, me, and one good runner. It was fun though, and I learned a lot, including that when I try and sprint 400m I run out of steam around the 300m mark....
It looks like my job has survived the forthcoming reorganisation at work. We don't yet know where our new office will be, but the areas they're looking at are all within commutable distance for me so I should be OK in the long run. Unless anything else changes...Last night was the running club 'track challenge'. We were in teams of four, and we each had a short distance, mid distance and then 2 team relays. I did the 200m, 1 mile, and leg one of 4x100 and leg two of 4x400. I did OK for me, but I'm nowhere near as fast as the others. I was pleased with my mile time though, I did 7 mins 35 secs or something like that. (I'll check when the results get posted on the website) I've never timed myself over 1 mile before, I usually run between 9-10 min miles but over a longer distance. I definitely could not have gone any further at that speed last night! Our team came 5th out of 6, but the winning team was all fast blokes so I didn't feel too bad. We had one guy who's not run since January due to injury, a young lad about 12 years old, me, and one good runner. It was fun though, and I learned a lot, including that when I try and sprint 400m I run out of steam around the 300m mark....
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Go jump, get rescued!!
Yesterday I travelled across London to Docklands, where I jumped in the river Thames.... to be rescued by a Newfoundland dog called Beau!!
This was a fundraising event for Guide Dogs but it was a little short of people, so I got a last minute call to go and join in to boost numbers.
Now, I've met a lot of dogs in my time of all shapes and sizes, but I'm sure Beau is the biggest I've ever seen! He weighed a massive13.5 stone, which for my American friends translates as 189lb or 85.7kg. (For comparison, my collie Tarka is 14kg and the average Labrador at work is around 30kg.)
Here's a picture of me with Beau, and some video of the jump.
This was a fundraising event for Guide Dogs but it was a little short of people, so I got a last minute call to go and join in to boost numbers.
Now, I've met a lot of dogs in my time of all shapes and sizes, but I'm sure Beau is the biggest I've ever seen! He weighed a massive13.5 stone, which for my American friends translates as 189lb or 85.7kg. (For comparison, my collie Tarka is 14kg and the average Labrador at work is around 30kg.)
Here's a picture of me with Beau, and some video of the jump.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Chainmaille
I haven't done any chainmaille for ages! The first attempt I made was a byzantine weave and I blogged about it here. My latest effort is an inverted roundmaille, and looks a bit different from the byzantine. I really like it. I've only made a bracelet though. The trouble is that the silver plated jump rings don't last very well, because as the bracelet rubs against the skin the plate wears away exposing the metal underneath. But, sterling silver is very expensive and I don't really like the other options available. I'm waiting for some info on 'silver filled' wire, which might be a suitable in-between.
Here's the roundmaille bracelet. I found a little 'capricorn' charm (my starsign) which I fell in love with, so added that too. (click on the photo for a bigger version to see more detail.)
Here's the roundmaille bracelet. I found a little 'capricorn' charm (my starsign) which I fell in love with, so added that too. (click on the photo for a bigger version to see more detail.)
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Oh, I got behind with blogging again!!
Once again, I've got behind with blogging so this will be a bit of a catch up post.
Steam Rally
I mentioned in my last post that I'd been to a steam rally. Well I've been to two now! The weather was good for both of them, warm, but not too hot and not raining! If you've never been to a steam rally, it's basically a field where people display their old steam traction engines. Most rallys now also have old cars and motorbikes too, and are big events with food areas, markets and craft stalls which makes the rally a whole day out. There is an arena, and the engines and other vehicles are brought in so you can see them working and moving around, then they're parked up so you can get close and chat to the owners.
![]()
Running
Running is still going well, although I've been struggling with the heat, and I think in future I'm going to have to be more careful about hydration as I'm sure I had a mild heatstroke/dehydration on Monday. It was still about 24degC when we ran, and when I went to bed I had a massive headache. Then I started feeling sick and ended up being ill. The headache intensified too and was extremely painful and I was just starting to wonder if I should be worried, but after I was ill it started to ease off, and in the end I slept ok and I have been fine since. It was a lot cooler by Friday's track session but I'm going to have to think more carefully about how to run in the warmer weather.
Jewellery
My friend who does jewellery as a business, has started a jewellery club. We've only had one meeting so far, well the second was yesterday but I didn't go. Anyway, I was doing some wire wrapping and finished off a necklace in lime green which was a present for a friend. Lime green is her favourite colour, I'm not sure what she'll wear it with though!! Something black I expect! I was pleased with the necklace, although the photo isn't great.
![]()
I'm also trying to get back into chain maille again and am currently having a try at a round maille. I just wish sterling silver wasn't so expensive, the silver plated rings just don't last and I don't like the aluminium ones.
Work
We've got some big changes coming up at work and have got a meeting on the 28th July to tell us what's happening. That's when I find out if I still have a job or not..... I'm fairly confident that my job will be safe, but I'm not complacent as I have been here before, however I do have a couple of other options to think about if I need to. I also did a fundraising event the other weekend. I ended up getting my picture in the local paper with Tex, a dog I trained and who subsequently retired (very) early! He's now been rehomed with one of our volunteers and does a grand job doing talks and fund raising events.
Annual leave
I'm currently half way through 2 weeks of annual leave. My plan was to have a really good clear out in the house but I've not even finished the kitchen in the first week!! Still, I have made a start which is more than I thought I would! It's that same old chestnut... lack of motivation!! If shops could sell motivation I'd be their best customer!
Pets
They're all fine, Tarka doesn't like being off work because she gets bored, but other than that she's fine. The cats are fine too, Molly is now off all medication and seems to have finally recovered from the cystitis that caused her so much bother earlier in the year.
So that about brings things up to date, Thanks for reading!
Steam Rally
I mentioned in my last post that I'd been to a steam rally. Well I've been to two now! The weather was good for both of them, warm, but not too hot and not raining! If you've never been to a steam rally, it's basically a field where people display their old steam traction engines. Most rallys now also have old cars and motorbikes too, and are big events with food areas, markets and craft stalls which makes the rally a whole day out. There is an arena, and the engines and other vehicles are brought in so you can see them working and moving around, then they're parked up so you can get close and chat to the owners.
 |
| A traction engine built for the fairground. |
 |
| Ford Anglia. Not the shape I'm used to seing though! |
 |
| Traction engines - probably for farm type work |
 |
| Steam roller |
 |
| A Red Kite came to visit too! |
Running is still going well, although I've been struggling with the heat, and I think in future I'm going to have to be more careful about hydration as I'm sure I had a mild heatstroke/dehydration on Monday. It was still about 24degC when we ran, and when I went to bed I had a massive headache. Then I started feeling sick and ended up being ill. The headache intensified too and was extremely painful and I was just starting to wonder if I should be worried, but after I was ill it started to ease off, and in the end I slept ok and I have been fine since. It was a lot cooler by Friday's track session but I'm going to have to think more carefully about how to run in the warmer weather.
Jewellery
My friend who does jewellery as a business, has started a jewellery club. We've only had one meeting so far, well the second was yesterday but I didn't go. Anyway, I was doing some wire wrapping and finished off a necklace in lime green which was a present for a friend. Lime green is her favourite colour, I'm not sure what she'll wear it with though!! Something black I expect! I was pleased with the necklace, although the photo isn't great.
Work
We've got some big changes coming up at work and have got a meeting on the 28th July to tell us what's happening. That's when I find out if I still have a job or not..... I'm fairly confident that my job will be safe, but I'm not complacent as I have been here before, however I do have a couple of other options to think about if I need to. I also did a fundraising event the other weekend. I ended up getting my picture in the local paper with Tex, a dog I trained and who subsequently retired (very) early! He's now been rehomed with one of our volunteers and does a grand job doing talks and fund raising events.
 |
| Me and Tex - scanned from the paper hence poor quality! |
Annual leave
I'm currently half way through 2 weeks of annual leave. My plan was to have a really good clear out in the house but I've not even finished the kitchen in the first week!! Still, I have made a start which is more than I thought I would! It's that same old chestnut... lack of motivation!! If shops could sell motivation I'd be their best customer!
Pets
They're all fine, Tarka doesn't like being off work because she gets bored, but other than that she's fine. The cats are fine too, Molly is now off all medication and seems to have finally recovered from the cystitis that caused her so much bother earlier in the year.
So that about brings things up to date, Thanks for reading!
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Found it!!!...
I finally found the title box!! It was there all along, just it was attached to something else so it blended in and I didn't see it. Anyway, I think that means that I can finally stop harping on about the changes blogger has made, and get back to blogging properly again!
Today I went to a steam rally with my sister and two nephews. It was a warm day but not too sunny, although I still managed some sunburn - will I ever learn? I'll take the pictures off my camera later and will post some then.
Running is going well, it was very hot on Monday and I struggled, but other than that I've had some good runs this week, Friday at the track was almost fun.... almost!! We did an exercise where we all started and finished together regardless of the speed you run. As much as I honestly don't mind being the slowest on the track and everyone is very supportive of me, it's nice just once in a while to not be the last one finishing. And, I even got a compliment which made me smile for quite a while.
Yesterday I went to Costco with my Brother and Sis-in-Law. I bought loads of fruit and some couscous for my lunches this week, I think I'm going to be 'all fruited out' by Friday! I got a large watermelon which I have made a good start on already.... it's lovely!
![]()
On Thursday I went to visit the agility club I used to train with. I chose this week because it was the summer club internal competition which meant that people would have time to stop and chat between their runs, rather than trying to chat to people on another night when they were in class. It was nice to see everyone again, but it just re-inforced in my mind that I don't miss agility. Even if I got another dog I don't know if I'd go back to it. I find that very strange since it's been a big part of my life for 15 years!
So, one week ends and another begins, I'm hoping this week flies by though as I'm then on holiday for 2 weeks!!
Today I went to a steam rally with my sister and two nephews. It was a warm day but not too sunny, although I still managed some sunburn - will I ever learn? I'll take the pictures off my camera later and will post some then.
Running is going well, it was very hot on Monday and I struggled, but other than that I've had some good runs this week, Friday at the track was almost fun.... almost!! We did an exercise where we all started and finished together regardless of the speed you run. As much as I honestly don't mind being the slowest on the track and everyone is very supportive of me, it's nice just once in a while to not be the last one finishing. And, I even got a compliment which made me smile for quite a while.
Yesterday I went to Costco with my Brother and Sis-in-Law. I bought loads of fruit and some couscous for my lunches this week, I think I'm going to be 'all fruited out' by Friday! I got a large watermelon which I have made a good start on already.... it's lovely!
On Thursday I went to visit the agility club I used to train with. I chose this week because it was the summer club internal competition which meant that people would have time to stop and chat between their runs, rather than trying to chat to people on another night when they were in class. It was nice to see everyone again, but it just re-inforced in my mind that I don't miss agility. Even if I got another dog I don't know if I'd go back to it. I find that very strange since it's been a big part of my life for 15 years!
So, one week ends and another begins, I'm hoping this week flies by though as I'm then on holiday for 2 weeks!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)