My log
 
Ramblings January 2010...........
 
January started with a bang as I jetted off to my favourite haunt in Bali on the 1st! I had a fabulous time celebrating the big 40 with friends.  I missed the country's big freeze - another bonus whilst I was basking in 30 degrees!!  the diving was excellent as usual and on my birthday I dived the coral project and was pleased to see the growth since the last time I visited. 
 
While I was away my friend Wendy continued Beetle's education, he now has his first full set of shoes on and she has been on his back, he is not yet riding out, but won't be long!! (luckily for Beetle Wendy is half the size of me!!)
 
On returning from my lovely break I received some very sad and upsetting news that Matahari Mola Mola (Brodie) passed away.  As well as all of us here Laura, Ian and family are devastated and our thoughts are with them. 
 
December Ramblings . . . . .
 
In December there are always so many things to attend but its always really good to see and catch up with friends old and new.  Most of my older friends will know that for years i have sent money / sponsored someone instead of sending loads of Christmas cards - this year I sponsored a coral in the largest reef reconstruction project in the world.  This is based in Bali just up the beach from the Matahari resort and they use metal structures which are electrified witha low current in order to spped up coral growth.  The "coral project" has been very successful and I will include a link on my links page for anyone wishing to find out more.
 
December was also the month where Beetle's education stepped up a gear and he started some daily and more intense than previously training which includes long reining him just about everywhere . . . . . .  .I am pleased to report that he has now achieved the predicted (and fingers crossed) 16hh mark!!
 
Ramblings November 2009 . . . . . . . . .
November was wet, wet, wet!!  Its dark in the morning , dark in the evening and the dogs are coming in like mud monsters after every walk!
Mum had her plaster off so things have returned to normal - I am relieved of caring duties and she has returned to dog duties!! 
 Beetle has had his last foot trim, his next visit will see him having his first set of shoes on ready for him to begin proper work in January.
It was the puppies first birthday at the beginning of November, the year has flown and I still can't believe how they have all grown.  It has been lovely to catch up with some of them and see how they are doing but also slightly sad as it is a year we have now been without my lovely Rinda.
Ramblings October 2009.........
 
October began with my mum breaking her wrist in two places, it was India's fault, I was out with the dogs and mum was out power walking when we came across each other - even though the dogs were all on leads an enthusiastic greeting resulted in Mum losing her balance and using her hand to break her fall!!  It was a nasty break, mum lost consciousness and ended up having an ambulance trip to casualty . . . . . . needless to say I am on full time caring duties!!!
 
The month ended with a fabulous evening in Cardiff City Hall.  I am very proud that two of my staff beat hundreds of other nominees to receive National Care Awards. The prizes are given at a glittering award ceremony / dinner in City Hall which is a magnificent building in Cardiff.  a truly memorable evening.
Ramblings September 2009 . . .. .
 
September was work - work - work. 
 
We did have a lovely couple of days when going to Richmond Championship show.  Reef won best puppy dog and then as we had decided to stay another night before driving home we were able to stay and watch Elise Cartmell (Cusidh) in the group.  What wasn't so convenient was waiting until the show ended and then getting back to my van to find I had a flat tyre!!!!  (I had a nail stuck in it)  Thanks to the gate staff at Richmond who helped me change the tyre!!
Ramblings August 2009............
 
Yet another wet month ~ August was full of "family stuff" my little brother Nick got married to Lief, my brother Simon's and partner Sherifa's baby,  Zeb, arrived 3 weeks early (all well) and my step sister Cath brought my young nieces and nephew all the way from Suffolk for their annual visit!!  I also managed to fit in a masquerade ball to celebrate friend Mary's 50th birthday and go to 4 shows - phew!!  The last of these was an open show on Saturday 29th August in Port Talbot, after roping in my mother and Robin Paisey (thanks!) to help me show the three dogs, Reef put in several very good performances and went Reserve Best Puppy in show - I am a very proud birth mum!!!   
 
Ramblings July 2009............... July started off really nicely, Mum and I went to visit our friend leigh and his Deerhound Bijou in Bedford for the weekend and whilst there Linda brought Matahari Mountain View (Jemima) over and we all went for a walk. Jemima has turned into a lovely dog, really affectionate and looks just like her Mum Rinda. Then the next weekend we took all of the dogs to an open show where we met Matahari Manhattan (Angus), we all had a successful day, all getting placed and Many Thanks to my poor Mum and Auntie Pat who took Mac and India in the ring!!! Reef did very well winning best Deerhound and puppy and then going on to win the hound puppy group. Angus is a real sweetie who adores Lynne and Phil, its so nice when I get to see "the pups" and also that their new owners keep in touch and send pics and messages etc. (some of the pups write their own letters - very clever!!!)

Then the dreaded swine flu took a hold in work and what with that and the apalling weather the month went down hill very rapidly - oh well.............
Ramblings June 2009................
June was a mainly sunny month, it was lovely to have balmy summer walks and actually sit (and eat) in the garden. Even my garden looked slightly recovered from all of the puppy pruning and a few flowers managed to survive. The dogs and I had our first night away from home together as my brother Simon hired a cottage in West Wales as he was exhibiting (he is an importer of hot chilli sauces) at the Welsh Game Fair. We had a lovely day and weekend and met up with Phil, Lynne and Angus (Matahari Manhatten) who is fantastic and was pleased to see his brother and sister, we also bumped into Kim and Zoe (wolfscastle). On return from the lovely weekend however I discovered that my water feature (mini pond) had been under attack from seagulls who had eaten all 14of my baby fish!!! These were the only fish in the pond since they hatched after my purchasing a water lily last year, they survived and grew all winter and even survived investigation by 12 deerhound pups and now all gone!!!!
May 2009 Ramblings….. May was a good month, the babies went to their first open show then their first Championship show. Both have taken it all in their stride and enjoy the day out – even if they crash out when they get home!! Both qualified for Crufts 2010 at their first show with Reef taking Best Dog Puppy – I am a very proud mum!! The weather has been very variable here but mostly “sticky” all of the time - the pups had their first venture down to the sea to “dip their toes in” they are not sure about waves!! The biggest problem of the month had been grass seeds. Reef had one enter and cause an abscess in between his toes, I was lucky to catch it and poultice it out before it travelled anywhere, but since then we have had “grass seed grooming sessions” following each walk and the amount of these evil little torpedo seeds attached to the dogs has been higher than I have ever known it before. I have really suffered with allergy / hay fever this month, anti histamines are my new best friend and it has been near impossible to keep any make up on due to all of the eye rubbing! For any fellow sufferers who have eye problems my secret weapon is Gatineau Floracil – This calms sore eyes quicker than anything else I have tried.
2009 April ramblings………. I forgot to say that at the end of last month and following hoards of phonecalls I was forced into making my decision about which “girl” to keep. I chose India. I am still not completely sure why, but I do love her although losing Maybe (now called Tess) and Mimi (now called Mabel) was very hard and I still miss them. They have both gone to lovely homes and their new owners love them and have sent me pictures (now on site). This breeding thing has really been an emotional rollercoaster!! Reef and India are wonderful, Reef is growing at the rate of knots, both are strong pups, it is amazing to see how many little quirks India has just the same as Rinda. They make me smile!! Mac although grumpy as ever, is noticeably proud of his new clan – he looks after them when we are out and they follow him a bit like children with their Grandad! The pups love water (so did their Mum) – but not rain! - I haven’t yet let them go in the sea as it’s a bit far too walk and they are still young but we have some shallow quarry pools at the end of the road and they ave great fun chasing each other through these. We had a fantastic time at the breed show – as always its good to have time to catch up with friends who are not all rushing off anywhere!!! I particularly loved seeing Rinda’s first litter of babies doing so well in the ring – Well done Firechief, Firebird and FireCrest. I have a really soft spot for Bird who is so much like Rinda it brings tears to Mum and my eyes. Wigster is on his guard as he thinks I will go home with her one day!!My garden is still bare!! Any new shoots are soon taken care of by the pups – just this morning I noticed that my water feature is now devoid of the new water lily leaves that had started to rise to the surface!! – Oh well theres always next year!!
Ramblings March 2009
Well March was all about Crufts, it was a great day out and it felt like ages since I had last seen everyone. Even though Mac didn’t get placed we had a lovely day out. The weather has been improving – the same cannot be said for my garden!! I still have a “blank canvas” Mum and I have a new game – guess the stalk!! My raised beds now have been excavated like quarries and I still have a lovely collection of garden furniture in them to try to discourage their use as sand pits!! There are a few shrubs clinging to life and throwing out some shoots however I don’t think 2009 will be their year!
February Ramblings
Decisions, Decisions………. The girls are all so great I have swapped and changed my mind every day, Maybe is a babe, everyone loves her with her 4 white feet – she loves men and male dogs!! Mimi is the image and personality of her mum, independent and strong, India is sweet and cuddly – Reef is just Reef, he is so laid back and happy, never makes a sound and lets the girls hang off his ears and ambush him! To take my mind off it Beetle has gone downhill and lost a lot of weight – I have had to bring him in for some TLC …….. Its going to be a very busy month……… Crufts soon, it will be great to see everyone.
Ramblings January 2009 The babies started to leave this month, it was devastating, Mum and I cried each time ( we are really soft and it was sad as we were losing little bits of Rinda). First to leave was Luna who travelled all the way to Bermuda then one by one they went to Bedford, Surrey, North Scotland, Pembroke, Merthyr, Tonypandy, Devon. All have settled in their new lovely homes. Although I lost 8 of my babies, it feels like I gained some really nice new friends who I hope will keep in touch. The weather was a bit erratic in January, raining, snowing, freezing. The puppies that were left started some lead training and are now spending longer periods in the house for some “indoor play” they have all been really good. Reef seems to know he is staying and is now doing well in his role as Mac’s little shadow. So just the job of choosing the bitch that is staying with him….will it be Mimi, India or Maybe?????
Ramblings December 2008
December was awful, we lost our beloved Rinda at the beginning of the month but her beautiful babies kept us going.
Ramblings November 2008
November was a great month….. the start of the month kicked off with a lovely night (friends 50th birthday) medieval theme party and an overnight stay in an old castle. The castle is set in the Brecon beacons so a lovely brisk walk before breakfast shook off the morning after head. What better accessory to take to a medieval party than a Deerhound – Mac was the star of the show and also had a lovely evening.Then a few days later along came our “babies” over a 12 hour period 12 babies arrived all healthy and all very even in size. It was the moment Mum and I had been waiting for and all three of us were exhausted but happy by the morning.Rinda once again proved to be a fabulous Mum and I was thoroughly enjoying being on “pupternity leave”

Ramblings Oct 2008

The month has dragged, work has been really busy as I have been preparing for my maternity leave!!!

Rinda is really heavy with pups but is still enjoying her walks but at a much slower pace. My mother calls herself a frustrated midwife and we are all just waiting now - we are as prepared as we can be but its like waiting for the phone to ring............

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I measured Beetle yesterday as I moved him to his winter lodgings, he is only 15.2hh at the moment (2 yo). I have my fingers crossed that he grows a lot this year or he won't be big enough for me to ride, he really is a lovely character though.

Well thats all for now ......Hopefully lots of news soon.


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