17th June 2008

We have had a busy few weeks which has been a combination of the show season being in full flow, my eldest son turning 30 (help I am really feeling my age – nearly 50 and fat!) as well as Tantra’s hectic social life and all the animals.

Tantra and I went to London to surprise Danny on his 30th birthday – Lois had secretly invited us whilst Danny was out of earshot, unfortunately he had to be told of our impeding visit as he was determined to go out on the day of our arrival. We spent a fantastic two nights seeing family, shopping – Lois and Danny bought Tantra a fabulous new outfit from Next, followed by Lois, Tantra and myself drinking frrapachinos (iced coffees) outside a little coffee shop in Borehamwood, by which time Danny had woken up from his lie in. We then had lunch in a wonderful restaurant called Sunny Hill, in Sunny Hill Park in Mill Hill, which served Israeli food, the sun was shining and we could have been in the Mediterranean. Lois as always is a fabulous daughter in law and made us feel very welcome. The time flew by and before we knew it was time to return to Wales.

Many congratulations to Jean and Tom Rhodes and of course D J their grandson on your win with Peacemaker now Champion Hooray!!!! You really deserved it.

The house feels empty now all the puppies have gone to their new homes – with the exception of one Rumba, who is being collected by his new owner who will be coming over from France at the end of the month. I genuinely love rearing Deerhound puppies and all that it involves including vetting the new owners for hours on end and feel sad when they leave, I suppose I will harden up eventually.

We only have one kitten left, the others all have found lovely homes to go to. If I cannot find a really good owner for Tamason (I called him that as he is the son of my beautiful Tama and although he has Tiana’s colouring he is going to be big like his dad) then we will keep him as he really is a beautiful looking kitten and eventually castrate him.

On Saturday we went to a local agricultural show with Tantra and met up with our friend Georgina and her two sons Tom and Sam. We also saw Kim and Zoe from the Deerhound club. Tantra had lots of fun on all the different children’s fairground rides and bouncy castle. I love walking round all the trade stands, talking to people having lunch outside (no wonder my diets do not succeed!) It is a lovely time of year with the long days it was well past 7pm before we made our way back home.

Yesterday Jenny and Geoff Grimshaw came to visit us for the day. Another excuse to cook a big Sunday lunch, although we did burn off some of the calories as we went for a walk round the land with Marley, Boris and Rumba running ahead. Well Boris and Rumba did Marley huffed and puffed his way round. It was lovely to see them and we had a great time.

It will be a very early start on Saturday as it is the Blackpool championship show, which is roughly a five and a half hour drive from here. There is no point in moaning as I really love the shows and everything that goes with and smile to myself when I hear other couples rowing about the dogs pulling on their leads as their owners get dragged through the entrance to the show looking as stressed out as I do, but knowing as soon as the show begins it is all forgotten and the excitement begins.

Well that is all for now. Byeee!!