Cannock, Shareshill and beyond...

Went in to Cannock on Friday night with SJ. We met up with some of her friends, J & R in the Sports Bar. Had plenty (too much) to drink but was a good night. On Saturday we went to the Shareshill fete. They had some vintage cars there and I thought someone I knew with a Sunbeam might be there...they weren't. Still, apart from the rain it was quite a good show. I took Chief so hae could have a little wander around...I didn't risk taking Indi, she's not quite as calm as Shief and I think would have caused a spot of mayhem! The rain cleared up a bit later so we went in to Cannock to get some Fathers Day presents. We bought some stuff from the new outdoor shop - Hi Peak Leisure. It's a really good shop with some nice stuff in. As it was still sunny, we stayed and had a coffee there. Chief was in his element being the star of the show.

Saturday night we went out for a meal with my parents, my Grandad and his wife and also K & P, my mom's boss and also my Grandad's solicitor. It was a thankyou from my Grandad to K for handling his land sale. We went to the Dale in Willenhall. It was a very good meal - steaks were perfectly cooked and you really couldn't ask for better food. SJ drove as well so that was a bonus (well it was for me anyway)!

On Sunday, we had arranged to go out with SJ's parents for lunch. We went to The Horse and Jockey in Ironbridge. This is somewhere I'd never been before but they're reputed to have very good pies...sure enough I can confirm they do indeed have very good pies!

Sunday evening we went over to my parents and had some sandwiches etc. We took Indi & Chief with us as my sister was there and she'd not yet met Chief. All went well, Indi was a little boisterous around N but I think its because he's scared of her...she's basically a bully. If she knows someone/something is scared of her, she takes full advantage!

On Monday I drove down to Luton and dropped SJ off at the train station. I then carried on to the office. Tuesday I went to Wareham for work and Wednesday it was back down to Luton to visit a customer. Today I'm spending at home. Got to get my haircut later and I'm going to take the dogs over the Chase in a minute. They've not been for a week or so as its either been too hot, too wet or I've simply ran out of time.

The weekend I'm off down London to see SJ.

Beaudesert

A change to the walk today. Decided to explore the Beaudesert area of the Chase. Started off opposite the Beaudesert Golf Course and looped around Beaudesert Old Park. Not as interesting as my usual walks and very muddy (it had been raining for about a week straight). It also appeared as if a lot of the trees had been cut down and burnt. For what reason I don't know...

I also went over to my sisters. I recommended to my 16 year old nephew that he should buy an Apple Mac for his next computer so he went and bought himself a new MacBook. Thing is, he's had real trouble connecting to their wireless network. Feeling a bit obliged to go and sort things out for them I've been over a couple of times and managed to get it working but without really knowing why. I've suspected its been something to do with their router - a Belkin 54g. Anyway, I took over my spare Negear router and hey preston it was working within a minute. Not sure why the Belkin wouldn't work but I have read on a few of the Mac forums that others have experienced problems with this particular router and the new MacBooks.

Christmas Day

Spent the day round my half-sisters Jackie. Had the usual turkey, ham, veg, etc. There was myself (and Indi of course), my mom, dad, Jackie, her husband Mike and there 2 children Alex & Nathan. There was also Sonia (Jackie's mother) and Vic, her partner...still with me so far?

Went for a walk in the dark afterwards around the lanes of Bishopswood. Was a good way of working off the Xmas excess...!

Had lots of nice pressies. Apart from the Kickbike, I had a Dog Walking Belt, Dog Backpacks, books, coat, cuff-links, wine, chocolate, etc...did very well really. Tomorrow I'm off to Delamere for a walk with other Malamutes. Looking forward to it...I think...hope Indi's on her best behaviour!

Twas' the night before Christmas...

Good news is that my mom's out of hospital. Still don't know what was wrong but they've just said keep taking the tablets and see what happens...let's hope it's all OK...anyway, it's Xmas Eve and I'm on my own for the first time in years, well me and Indi I should say. Got loads of pressies for Indi, she'll be happy tomorrow morning if no-one else is! Going to my half -sisters for Xmas lunch with my mom, dad and Indi. That should be nice. Plans for the break are to go to Delamere Forest on Boxing Day, a load of Malamute owners are meeting up there so I thought I might go along. Then, that's about it so far, I'm sure something will turn up though.