I'd forgotten my blog password ...

That's not strictly true but I'm very rusty with the thing.

I'm at the Dairy on a day off, Barley's at my feet and Milky's on kitchen duty so I thought I'd do a quick catch-up entry. Listening to Snow Patrol's 'Eyes Open' which I had on repeat when missing Milky in The Lakes. Last night was chicken pasta with coriander and 'The Inside Man' with Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster & Clive Owen. It's a heist movie with a twist which I recommend. I've never been a fan of Owen who Mummeh would say is 'too full of himself' but Washington and Foster are good. Foster's legs, in particular, are mesmerising - how do you get legs like that ?

'Why no blog Briggsy '? you may be wondering. 'What have you been up to ?' 'Will you ever post properly again ?'

For a brief explanation, see below.

In June I moved into the country. Since then it's been work, riding, Barley, riding, Milky, riding, work and riding. I confessed to someone the other day that I didn't know what I'd done to deserve living where I do, but I'm making the most of it before anyone finds me out. The cottage is what the Americans would call 'quaint' and we call 'small' and there is no way my computery gubbins will fit in my sitiing room, hence they are in the loft.

I'm hoping Santa will bring me a laptop (or some money towards one) which will fit in my sitting room and then I will blog again. Winter, with it's dark evenings & reduced riding hours must surely be more conducive to blogging than Summer ? I know of at least one other blogger who loves to blog from their bed on cold winter mornings - don't you Michelle ?

All funds recently have been diverted to the NZ holiday fund. If I haven't told you (lucky you) Milky & I visit NZ for the whole of Dec. Rough plans are ...

1) Stay with Tanners, farm-tour, point out sites of historical interest (seat of fire, slotting of No 47 etc) Introduce Milky to Cedar Lodge Sundowner G & T's
2) Tour North (car & tent)
3) Go South, visit Murray, Mal & Mike, Bridget's Mum
4) Tour South
5) Do outdoorsy stuff, neddy pestering (Milky can't wait) white/black water rafting, kayakking, helicopter ride over the glaciers and all the stuff I didn't have the funds for when I was last there.
6) Christmas/New Year with The Tanners
7) Don't do a bungee jump

In the meantime life is busy but stress-free. Work is interesting, 2 new additions to the team have altered the dynamics radically. One is Andy who I like more than I thought I would. Andy is a Grafter, that capital G is intentional. One, who shall, for reasons of tact, shall remain nameless, I like less than I thought I would. Milky and I are now working slightly different shifts (we knew it had to come) So far we seem to be managing to share some rest days, spending December together will be a luxury though.

I've had Barley since the end of September & she holidayed with Mummeh and I in The Lakes in October. On a minimum of 2 walks a day, she's looking good and is disgustingly fit. When I'm not around she spends her time with June's dogs and I'm pleased to note she has a new playmate in the form of Cassie, a bouncy red Viszla of indefatigable energy. Barley's never really had a playmate before, the last dog she spent a lot of time with was Jasper, who spent a lot of time trying to hump her. Dirty boy.

Last weekend we hijacked Weeny's weekend, foisting ourselves on her and husband for 2 days. It's their fault for being so goddamn sociable. What started off as an Indian meal, morphed into the next day at Bushy Park and a lamb shank dinner. Their, until now, purely feline house guests have been nicely balanced out with the addition of 2 black labrador pups, Gin & Stirling. We met them at 15 weeks of age and utterly enchanting they are. Mummeh - you would have been transfixed. Lots of photos to follow.

Yesterday we spent the day with Angie, feeding the aminals then heading off for a long walk with the dogs before a pub lunch. The weather has been extraordinary lately, up until 2 days ago, it was mild, sunny and warm and we hadn't had a frost. For the last 3 days it has been picture book perfect Autumn weather, sharp overnight rime frosts, thawing to clean cobalt days. England looks beautiful.

I've discovered a special place to dog-walk & spend at least an hour a day there with Hilde, Cassie and Barley stretching their limbs. It's called, rather uninspiringly, Banstead Common which conjures up a very different mental image to the reality. If you have Google Earth, take a look. Since returning from NZ it's the biggest stretch of uninterrupted sky I've seen, no buildings, no metalled roads, just woodland, heathland and lots and lots of sky. It's quite simply the best antidote to working indoors there could be. Vaulting skies are my cathedral.

On that note, I'l leave you for now. Next time I'm here, I'll share recent foties with you.
For now I'm away to catch up on some blogs. Speaking of which, that camera was a stroke of genius Stan, it's nice to see your images are starting to focus on life, rather than death.

Bye for now, stay safe whatever you're doing,

Cx