Carsington Water

I thought I'd make the most of the nice weather today - before Autumn descends on us - and headed out to the Peak District to do a walk around the lake. I was in a no map reading, no lifting-labradors-over-stiles mood so did this 8.5 mile walk which I have done a few times before.

The New Office

Billing Aquadrome

I went on a day trip to visit the caravanners in Northampton. I've driven past the signs for this place on the M1 for years and wondered what it was. It's a huge campsite with a lot of lakes and an indoor pool with a waterslide. I was expecting a spaghetti junction like network of pipes in order to qualify as an "aquadrome" but there was just the one slide. The dogs were well behaved despite having to spend most of the time leashed as they weren't allowed in the caravan. I won the gogo fingerboard stacking contest and had the hairiest back in the Aquadrome - Woohoo.

All Hallows - Blue flag beach

I visited the caravanners at All Hallows near Rochester on a day trip. As you can see, its a lovely spot nestled between a power station and an oil refinery with miles of mud flats to explore. I left the dogs with Mum for the day as Bruno had been unwell the day before, not wanting to walk anywhere and I also noticed a lump on his shoulder similar to the one Milo had last year. I came back home yesterday so that the vet could do a biopsy on it. I should know the results early next week. A picture of Bruno in Mums kitchen, newly decorated thanks to Alan.

Wall flowers

The front bed is looking good now and was buzzing with hover flies at 8 am today.

I'm just finishing reading "Portnoy's Complaint" by Philip Roth which was one of my New years resolution books. I haven't been able to get any of my resolution list at the local library but just found this site which has them all available as free ebooks. This is the first book I have read online as I have always shied away from reading large amounts of text on the computer, however, I have found this quite easy to read and might go ahead and read the other books on my list in this format. The book is a confessional monologue by a Woody Allen type character describing his kinky peccadilloes. Good job I'm wearing contact lenses these days - my glasses would have been fogged with steam.

Labrador Power

I was back at Cromer/Sheringham this weekend with the dogs and my friend Chris in his caravan - which is tiny - no bigger than his Ford focus, but it fits in a double and a single bed and everything you need except for a toilet and shower. The weather was good and the dogs had a great time splashing in the sea. We did about 10 miles each day on Friday and Saturday and came back on Sunday. The dogs have been sleeping ever since.

Diet Anniversary

It's been a year since I started my diet and I am tipping the scales at 14 and a half stone. I am pleased with that although I got down to 13 stone and I could do with shedding another 10 lbs or so.

I think I need to build in daily exercise now in order to reach and maintain my ideal weight. I move office next month so might try jogging to work (although its only a 10 minute jog) if there are sufficient changing facilities.