Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May all your hopes & dreams for 2009 come true.

Hot off the press!

News just in...

Chris Hoy is to be knighted

What an accolade after all the extremely hard work he's put in over the years, from his BMX results as a kid to the Beijing Olympics. He definitely deserves it.

Pity cyclists still don't get as much notice or coverage as other sports people at times other than the Olympics though.

Frosty the cyclist - part 2

Do I ride? Don't I ride? That was the question swimming about in my mind when I woke up, looked out of my window and saw the glorious wintry Mancunian weather. Frost, freezing fog, bone-bitingly cold.....

Sod it, I will! So I flung on all my heat-retaining bike clothes, lobbed on my Endura jacket and almost fell down the stairs on my way out! Then nearly got splattered by a bus getting out of my road. Ummmm, was it really a wise decision to get out in this weather? I guess only time can tell.

The order of the day was to go out towards Hyde via Globe Lane. Out from mine along Fairfield Rd and past the Moravian Settlement, past the lovely new canal side apartments - not that I could see them in the fog, just got a glimpse of their great hulking bulk; past Audenshaw reservoirs and up onto Shepley Rd for a little climbing competition against HGVs. Incidentally, I won.

Down into Hyde, then Woodley before taking a sneaky route to avoid a few busy junctions brought me out onto Stockport Rd by the river Tame and Hulme's Wood - all looking like a winter wonderland in the break in the fog: very frosty with lots of frozen spiderwebs everywhere.

After leaving Hyde for the second time, it was a case of passing Newton Hall, blazing past the town hall in Dukinfield and joining the impatient rush hour drivers on the A6017 and B6390 by the Snipe before a great sprint session back to mine. Fab!

Boring bits -
Temperature: -2 degrees
Max speed: 27mph
Average speed: 12.1mph
Miles: 19.36
Climbed: 476ft.

Cold? Hell yeah! Fun? Sure was!

2009 aims

Although I don't normally make resolutions I've decided that this time I will make some plans and do my damndest to stick with them. So, my aims for 2009 are -

Complete the 300 Mile a month Challenge that re-starts January 1st.
Ride every other day.
Ride at least 7 of the monthly Middleton CC club rides.
Ride at least 7 of the monthly Chorlton Wanderers rides.
Make 1 ride per week up to Hartshead Pike.
Improve hill climbing ability (or current lack of).
Ride out to Dunham/Lavender Barn once a month.
Complete at least 4 sportives.

That darn.......

Mouse!

I had intended to get out for a ride today, but thanks to playing hunt the mouse I didn't quite make it.

Where I live is a row of 100+ year old buildings that have shop premises on the ground floor and flats above them. My row contains a hairdressers (I'm above this), take-aways and a post office. Right behind my bit is a working garage and opposite is a body-repair shop and it's rather scruffy rusty motor filled yard. Not too far away is the canal and the open land surrounding it.
For the past few nights while reading I've heard the sound of rustling in one corner of my kitchen; I'd finally had enough last night and hoicked everything out of its place and had a blooming massive deck scrubbing and deep clean session, whereupon I came upon some little bits of mouse poo! It seems Mickey got in through the tiniest of gaps round my gas pipe and has enjoyed living behind one of my fridges.

I've now put lots of duck tape sealing the gap (no others anywhere else in the flat) so I can tell if he's chewed his way back in (or out) and will be getting some bait/traps to put down at the weekend.

But, thanks to playing hunt the mouse I didn't get to bed til way past midnight and was so shattered I just snuggled under my duvet when my alarm went off and ignored the muppets singing to me (Muppets theme tune is my alarm call on mobile)! Hey ho. There's always tomorrow for riding.

Jean Keith Award ride

The day of the Jean Keith Award ride dawned cold and frosty with a glorious wintry sun beaming down as I went to collect Paul before setting off towards Bowlee and the important part of the day - the race route.

I must let you in on the tricks of this race as it's a race like no other (that I know of anyway). The rules are:

1. Pick a piece of paper out of the envelope. This has a time written on it - your time. Do not let anyone other than the officials see this time.
2. Remove all forms of timepiece: watches, PC, hrm, mobile phones etc.
3. Get on your bike and ride the route at whatever speed you think will get you close to the time you picked at the start.

Fun, eh?! Rather hard really. The last time I rode this I was on an MTB and not the lovely Everest, and I was miles less fit than I am now. I think my improved fitness became my downfall. More on that later.

The aim was to get to The White Hart pub near Birch Services for 11:30. Paul and I got there for just gone 11. I suggested we do some sneaky tactics and ride the route timing it at our usual speed, then remember how easy/hard we pedalled etc for riding it 'blind'. Paul though better of my sneakiness and advised against it cos we'd probably be seen by the race officials somewhere along the route. So we sat and waited; and waited some more; and waited...until Stan arrived concerned he'd got the wrong day or wrong start point (we'd changed it from previous years). Good job we didn't try sneak tactics!

Slowly, but surely more Middleton CC riders streamed in, until we had the biggest ever turn out for this event - 9 riders. Most people think this ride is pointless or annoying, so refuse to do it.

Back row l-r: Stan, Joe, Paul, Mike, Me, Cliff, Janet, Steve, Alan. Front row l-r: Race officials Jack and Alan

Once all the riders had arrived, it was a case of getting our times off the officials then preparing to go. It's a mass start so we all set off chatting about Christmas and if anyone had been riding recently etc enjoying the scenery as the route turned left into open country before turning left again alongside a business park, then left again to take us up and over the motorway and Birch Services and finally to the finish line.

As the times we choose are all very close together (know this from past events) it became a little bit of a mass finish too. When I crossed the line I knew my chance of winning it had failed as I heard "19..." - my allotted time was 21.20, so I was out of the running.

We aborted the results giving until we were ensconced in the lovely roaring-fire warmth of the pub with drinks-a-plenty and good grub ordered.

Cliff, Joe, Alan Hilda, Alan, Jack Joe, Hilda, Janet, Steve

I came in 8th place and Paul came in 5th. Paul had managed to stay in the same place as last time we rode, although I'd dropped down 4 places.

Remember my saying my fitness was my downfall? Well, Cliff decided he wanted to sprint a little way and as he's a big teaser towards me, I simply couldn't let him get away that easily, so I took off after him. He was already at the head of the pack when he set off, I was right behind everyone else and some way behind. I curved past Steve and Alan to see Cliff out of the saddle looking behind him every now and then as I just mashed the pedals streaking past the others. Soon it was the two of us out in front of the group, Cliff looking a little panicked and out of the saddle still, myself stomping away and gaining ground fast....til I hurtled past taunting him for being beaten by a girl!

Route out to Bowlee


Boring bits -
Temperature: 4 degrees
Max speed: 32mph
Average speed: 12.3mph
Miles: 22.78 (18.79 for ride out/back. 3.99 for race)
Climbed: 610ft

Jean Keith Award route

It's Christmas!! Hurrah!!

Happy Christmas y'all! Hope it's the best yet and there's lots of great gifts and yummy food!

Have a good un and I'll see you again in a few days time.

xxx

Phew!

I'm not entirely sure why (I think I may have been a little delusional) but I decided to do a ride with a nice little combo of hills to climb and sprinty sections. I never, ever, ever combine the two things into one ride and now I know why......I feel so shattered after it all!!

As the weather was quite warm compared to recent weeks the thermals got left behind and I braved the world in my dhb base layer, short sleeved jersey and long sleeved jersey over the top. Perfect.

I set off along my usual route through Daisy Nook and across Oldham Rd in Ashton before getting onto Kings Rd where the road kicked up and over Queens Rd towards Knott Hill, along Gorsey Lane to bring me out Mossley Rd where I'd usually turn right to head back into Ashton. Not today though. Instead I turned left and carried on up into Mossley Cross with Hartshead Pike on my left shrouded in mist.
Through a busy and annoying junction and I was happily heading to Uppermill for a while before dropping off down Chew Valley Rd to the start of the Isle of Skye climb - which I totally ignored for today! A right turn brought me back to Mossley (eventually) and on into Heyrod where I decided to give myself a kick up the butt as I took a road with a sting in the tail - the lovely Luzley Rd and it's skyward (for a little while) heading. This brought me back out directly opposite where I left Gorsey Lane earlier on.
It was a case of left turn and sprint away to my hearts content now as I flew through Ashton and onto a lovely section of road for really testing the legs, the section of the A635 between the A627 roundabout and the other slightly deadly triangulated roundabout thingy before turning off for Guide Bridge, up and over the motorway, saying a very close hello to the bus that lurched out into the road in front of me.

Almost home now, hurrah! Back onto the A635 at the Snipe before maneuvering round another lovely, deadly nightshade kind of one-way system and the best sprint bit of all - no traffic lights for a whole mile! And then another mile without lights. Hurrah!!
Now it was just a case of hoicking the Everest onto my shoulder and dragging myself upstairs to my flat, where a welcome pint of milk was waiting for me, teasing me with it's condensation running down it's side.



Boring bit -
Temperature: 12 degrees
Max speed: 31mph
Average speed: 12.6mph
Miles: 21.79
Climbed: 863ft

What a night!

Only the people I've known for umpteen years know I danced (both as a competitor and as a teacher) for 12 years and have gained hundreds of trophies; and only those people know how much I still love dancing, despite not being able to take part anymore.

At the time I danced I was busy studying 4 A-levels at college and working 36hrs a week teaching 5 classes a week, or training myself, so as you can imagine it was rather a busy time for me!
Unfortunately, thanks to some scallies, an air rifle and the removal of a pellet from my back, I ended up taking too much time away from the dancing and just focused on the studies instead - much less painful. It resulted in my not being able to return to the school I was at, and by this point I was working elsewhere and needed the money I was currently earning while studying.

So to watch the final of Strictly Come Dancing is, for me, a highlight to my day. The quality of dance that Tom Chambers, Lisa Snowden and Rachel Stevens achieved by the final was excellent and I was not alone in thinking that - more than 13 million viewers watched Tom Chambers win with partner Camilla Dallerup after a close fought battle between himself and Rachel Stevens, with Lisa Snowden and partner Brendan Cole being knocked out at the first public vote.

Oh to be able to dance again!

Weebls

While at Adams yesterday, we were also mucking about online playing games and chuckling away at weebls and the antics in their cartoons etc.

One of the cartoons online is rather good, especially if you don't like Simon Cowell. Take a look and have a chuckle - Simon Cowell

Mmmmmmm!

Yesterday, I decided it was high time I went to visit my good friend Adam as it has been a very long time since we've been able to meet up with things getting in the way to stop us - money problems, work, lack of time etc.

So I set off bright and early as I knew it'd take some time to get over there by bus (takes 3 buses to reach his place - mainly due to my being skint, and a daysaver ticket is so much cheaper than a train fare), but I was climbing the hill to his home by midday to be greeted with the biggest bear hug I've had in years!

The day went perfectly - nice and chilled out, but with plenty of laughs along the way.

Myself and Adam are both big theatre lovers and just love watching shows, ballets etc and have had amazing times. Cats, Miss Saigon, The Ladyboys of Bangkok, The Rocky Horror Show have all been excellent birthday treats from him.

We sat down to watch The Pirates of Penzance on DVD both the straight version and the comedy Australian version with Jo English as the Pirate King were watched - poor Jon English though; at the end of the routine With Catlike Tread he ended up repeating it 4 times due to encores from the audience (and the conductor heckling him!); he was so shattered by the end of it all!

After watching DVDs for a while, Adam then took me through some of the plans for his civil partnership to Phil in August. The venue is stunning and the day will be amazing, topped off with a masquerade ball in the evening - perfectly romantic and enchanting.

Phil then surprised us both by taking us out for a meal when he got home from work, so off to Nando's we went for some scrummy chicken that was snaffled down very quickly by all. Only, we ere to be disappointed by desert - they'd run out of the toffee cheesecake! Sacrilege!! We made do with some extremely moreish Krispy Kreme donuts instead - and watched them being made and glazed at the factory in Trafford Park, complete with free samples (of a whole freshly made, just been glazed donut!). Yum.

Walk on the wild side

The view along most of the walk!

Yesterday members of Middleton CC decided we'd have a wintry walk on Blackstone Edge to make up for the lack of club ride at the end of November.

So, at 9:30am on a cold, frosty morning myself and Paul set out to collect Joe and begin the drive to the White House pub on the moors by the side of Blackstone Reservoir. Once there, boots, beanies and gloves went on as we set off into the dense mist with crisp cold air and patches of snow lying about looking like natural 'white horse' engravings on the hillsides below us.

The route follows the Pennine Way as it winds it's way across the moors to Stoodley Pike and beyond. Our aim was to get the majority of the way to Stoodley Pike, although this all depended on the state of the trails and how we felt as we walked.

The frozen Little Hazzles reservoir

The walk began alongside the very still Blackstone Edge reservoir before following the path round a grassy knoll known as Cow Head and heading past the very frozen Little Hazzles reservoir and the defrosted Warland reservoir. The tracks along here were in excellent condition with only small ice filled potholes and snow to contend with. We decided that Warland reservoir, and the drain that leads to it, was a perfect place to stop for coffee and lunch to defrost us slightly.

All along this far the mist was very dense with only the odd bit of clear sky as the sun tried its best to burn through.

Myself and Joe having our lunch break
Once lunch and vast amounts of coffee was consumed we set off again alongside Warland Drain and onto Higher Moor where we encountered what had become a rather large boggy section with no way through except for the stone edge of the drain - we walked along this for a further 15 minutes before deciding that the weather and surroundings had beaten us - even more so when the bog tried to eat my footwear and not give it back!

A fight ensued between myself and the moor before I gained the upper hand, stole my boots back and clambered onto the stonework to head back to the car.

As it was so misty and cold there were very few people out; those that were out were, like us, covered in mud up to the knees. All except for one chap, and a very odd chap he was too! In the conditions on that day everybody had several layers on, gloves, beanies, scarves, waterproofs etc; this chap had on white trainers, beige trousers, yellow t-shirt and nowt else! He didn't even have any mud splatters on him anywhere. How he managed that is beyond me.

We were even more surprised when he passed us on the way back to the car - he'd obviously gone as far as the boggy bit and turned back - he was running and still didn't have any mud splats!!

All in all, it was an excellent walk - stunning even in the dense mist.

Boring bits -

Temperature: approx 0 degrees

Distance: 6.88 miles

Climbed: 141ft

Altitude: 1293ft at highest point

And the winner is.....

With a resounding 'Hurrah!', it's Chris Hoy!

The Sports Personality of the Year awards were held in Liverpool's Echo Arena and proved to be a very popular event, both at the arena and on TV and Radio.

Olympic champion Chris Hoy was given the honour after beating Lewis Hamilton and Rebecca Adlington respectively in the polls. Hoy received 283,630 votes, Hamilton 163,864 and Adlington 145,924.

Hoy received a standing ovation after the award brought him to tears. Hoy quipped, "It's been such a successful year for myself and British Sports, so to win the award this year is so special.". The last time a cyclist won the award was in 1965 with Tom Simpson receiving it at the age of 27.

The rest of the GB cycling team also won Team of the Year and Dave Brailsford won Coach of the Year, dedicating his award to the rest of the GB cycling squad - coaches and riders.

Hurrah for the cyclists!!

SPOY poll results -

Chris Hoy 283,630 votes
Lewis Hamilton 163,864
Rebecca Adlington 145,924
Ben Ainslie 35,472
Joe Calzaghe 34,077
Andy Murray 19,415
Nicole Cooke 18,256
Christine Ohuruogu 7,677
Bradley Wiggins 5,633
Rebecca Romero 4,526

Quote

"If you go to heaven, you can eat cheese. If you go to hell, you can eat cheese on toast."

As heard in my hairdressers.

Trusty Steeds

I know Jonathan is wondering what I ride, but I don't know about the rest of you. To save you all wondering, here are my trusty steeds -

Firstly there's the Eddie McGrath Everest. She's got Shimano components, Eddie McGrath stem/handlebars, Bontrager Seatpost, Selle Italia saddle, Shimano spds, Mavic wheelset, Bontrager tyres.

She's a classic that grabs everyone's attention. Whenever I leave her alone after any event or take her to the bike shop for love and attention, she certainly gets it - she's even stopped conversation dead when I took her for repairs after we had a crash.

And there is my Surosa Pista. She's a fully hand-built track bike with Mieche components, Cinelli stem/handlebars, Alpina forks & seatpost, Selle Italia saddle, Look Keo Sprint pedals, Surosa handbuilt wheels, Vredestein tyres.

The staff at the Surosa shop in Oldham are probably the best I've spoken to about bikes - SUROSA CYCLES was established in 1983 by Ken Barlow, father of then international Bob, who took over the business in 1998. The business was around for many years before and was originally founded by Derek (Nobby) Clarke. The shop is now owned by former World Champion Mandy Jones and her husband Nigel Bishop.

Pista has served me well at the Manchester Velodrome helping my times for the three events I take part in at the Middleton CC Club Championship drop by a good amount. Since getting her in March 2008 my times have improved greatly -

200 metre sprint - 3.56 seconds quicker

1k time trial - 6.83 seconds quicker

2k pursuit - 25 seconds quicker

Frosty the cyclist

When I saw the weather this morning, I just had to get out. Everywhere was all twinkly with the frost and looked so pretty, I just had to be part of it all. So I wrapped myself up nice and warm in my Orca base layer, Discovery Channel jersey & bibs and Altura reflex jersey, and the oh so important Specialized legwarmers (though they do have a hole in the knee from when I fell off!) and Endura overshoes to keep my tootsies nice and toasty, then I was off into the frost.

I decided I'd head East into the foothills of the Pennines - although I only wanted a short ride - and set off towards Daisy Nook where I was treated to the sight of what looked like the dawn of the day, although it was 9:26am, honest!

Everywhere looked great and I felt good, so I carried on despite it being rather cold out. Lots of funny looks were the order of the day as I must've looked like I wasn't wearing much while everyone else was wearing every coat they owned - several people looked they were wearing all their clothes at once! I even had several coppers commenting on my (apparent) lack of clothes; then they started whining cos they were cold in several layers and I was cosy in my 3. I left them to whine to themselves.

At this point I discovered that I hadn't put my pump back on the bike after I washed it last night, so thought better of going to the Pike or the foothills and stuck to Ashton and it's 'burbs. Up through Hurst and by Knott Hill Nature Reserve and I was suddenly part of the way I'd go to the Pike, so I thought I better head back downhill, just in case I punctured - not really the weather to have a long walk to a bike shop or home.

I snuck in a loop round Silver Springs before getting back on road and flying through Ashton's heart and up to Taunton. Usually I'd get in the drops for this section of the ride, when I tried it today I yelped as my wrist really didn't want to play in that position, so opted for hands on the brake hoods, arms resting on the bars - still got as aero as I wanted to, so no worries there.

Down along Newmarket Rd, past Daisy Nook and I decided I'd have another sneaky section - this time on the Littlemoss 'camp' of the Hollinwood branch canal. Lovely and frosty here; only downside was the thundering traffic on the M60. I doubled back on myself here to get back to Daisy Nook and back along the roads to where I took the 'dawn' picture and noticed that the cottages across the road were looking lovely in the light, so snapped them then chatted to a couple of horse riders on lovely chestnut mares before pootling along quite happily til I got to one of my favourite sections of the ride; although it's on the busy main road I like it cos I get to drop down into the bars and sprint the mile to home.

It was doing this that I scared a copper! Lots of the Droylsden Force were out pulling drivers for random checks etc and as I flew past them at God knows what speed, all I heard, "Bloody Hell, that was a cyclist going at that speed!" Heh heh...well, you do have to keep them on their toes!

All in all, it was a fab winter wonderland ride/route, and it's great when you can rattle a PC!

Boring bits -

Temperature: -5 degrees

Average speed: 11.4mph

Max speed: 27.9mph

Miles: 14.39

Climbing: 381ft

My idea of Hell

Boy, did I make the wrong decision today!

Was contemplating riding today and trying out my new bike PC that I'd fitted on Saturday night after my Cateye one slunk off to pastures new (most likely got squished by a HGV), until I saw the weather forecast this morning - rain showers with heavy rain at times. I will ride in rain (if I really, really want to) but heavy rain???? That's a no for me!

So, instead of getting soggy on the bike, I opted for going shopping instead. Bad, bad choice, as it seemed like the rest of the world made the same choice and crowded into Manchester just to annoy me. I really hate shopping in the city centre at the best of times, so Christmas shopping is like torture for me - last year I bought all the presents on November 1st when the stock was still being put out on the shelves; and it was all done first thing in the morning at the Trafford Centre which, blissfully, was still void of punters.
This year, according to the news reports, I chose to do all my shopping on the very day that the Christmas rush started! This information, of course, was only relayed to me after I'd been squished, shoved, barged past, poked and prodded, and finally had enough and stomped out of most shops I went into.

Luckily, I knew what I had in mind for the gang, so continued to stomp my way to the relevant places in which I knew I could get the goods cheaper than others. Anything else can be done online, or made, or tell the relevant person to go buy for themselves and give it me to wrap up ;o)

Realistically, I only have 1 or 2 more things to get and then I can chill out while everyone around me freaks out, tears their hair out and just grabs anything within their arms reach!

Ho! Ho! Ho! ???? More like No! No! No!

Sports personality of the year

The sports personality of the year awards take place on 14 December at Liverpool Echo Arena wth live TV coverage on BBC1 and radio/website coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sports website.

The top 10 nominees are -

Rebecca Adlington
Ben Ainslie
Joe Calzaghe
Nicole Cooke
Lewis Hamilton
Chris Hoy
Andy Murray
Christine Ohuruogu
Rebecca Romero
Bradley Wiggins

Who do you want to win? Use the poll in the sidebar and see how close you get!

Revolution 22

Chris Hoy made an emphatic post-Olympic return to track racing in last nights Revolution 22. He featured in his usual events - the sprint and keirin. At the other end of the scale Sam Harrison and Ruby Miller both consolidated their positions in Future Stars. And again there was another intriguing Sprint/Endurance face off.

Elite events

Sprint - Chris Hoy
6k scratch race - Peter Kennaugh
Womens 5k points - Sarah Reynolds
Mens 10k points - Luke Roberts
1k Madison TT - Ed Clancy & Steven Burke
Womens 500 TT - Jo Rowsell
Womens 6 lap dash - Hannah Mayho
Mens 10k scratch - Rob Hayles
Revolution keirin - Dave Daniel
Invitation keirin - Chris Hoy

Future Stars events

Girls 5k points - Laura Trott
Boys 5k points - Sam Harrison
Girls 6 lap dash - Lucy Garner
Boys 6 lap dash - Sam Harrison
Girls 5k scratch - Harriet Owen
Boys 5k scratch - Sam Harrison

Revolution 21 saw a 750m flying start challenge between the Sprint and Endurance guys, with Endurance taking first blood. This time saw a face off over 1km with a standing start. Would this be a chance for the fast-twitchers?

The result was evident from the first lap, with the sprinters opening up a huge advantage – with Staff putting in an awesome 17.9 opener – from then on in, the Endurance guys were unable to do very much about it. A score settled then…

Result
Sprint Team- 58.832
Endurance Team - 1.01.438

A little bit ouch

After getting my bike back from it's service after the crash I had in November I went on my first ride to test it and my poor body out.

The day dawned sunny and the roads were a little slick after early rain, but there was no threat of cloud or rain. Until I left my flat that is!
I managed a few miles before the heavens opened; I chose to carry on though seeing as it's a bit pointless going out for anything less than 5 miles. The route I took was based on rough jolty roads to test my injuries and also nice new slick tarmac to ensure I've not lost any cornering confidence.

As it turned out I hurtled round slick puddle-filled corners no problem; the jolty sections were a little painful on my wrist, but I think that's down to having taken the strapping off it. I'll give it another go with the strapping back on and see how it goes.

My route took me out towards Littlemoss on the roads before diverting along a track through fields and over the M60 to bring me out in Taunton before a little back road loop that took me part of the way towards Hartshead Pike. I crossed over Mossley Rd and set off down the side of Tameside Hospital to the track that is alongside Silver Springs and Stamford Park. Back along Beaufort Rd and more back roads to Taunton, through Daisynook and Littlemoss and onto the lovely section of the A662 Ashton New Rd where I always drop down into an aero position and fly along til I get back home.

Annoyingly, at some point through the ride my bike pc went flying off my stem - don't know where it went. When it's done that in the past I've either seen it fly off or heard it land/get drove over etc, but I think due to the amount of rain it did a runner without me even noticing until I got home!

Boring bits -

Temperature: 0 degrees
Average speed: abt 10mph
Max speed: abt 23mph
Miles: 12.1
Climbing: 302ft

Amount of pain when riding -
Ribs: 0%
Shoulder: 10%
Wrist: 30%

Everybody say 'Awwww'

I'd like you to meet my Marco, my very cute little sponsored puppy. He's in training to be a Guide Dog for a registered blind person and my dad has sponsored him for me cos he knows I love little Labs.It will take 20 months for him to be fully trained and 'graduate' as a Guide Dog, although if he can't cope with all the situations that a blind person encounters, then he'll be trained as a Hearing Dog for the deaf.

I think you'll all agree that he's extremely cute and wish him well in his training.

Homecoming 2

Mom's coming home!!!!!!!

Got a call off mom earlier this morning to say that her doc has been to see her and he's really pleased with her progress and she can come home later on this afternoon. Hurrah!

Final tally of things that were not quite right:
Femoral embolism - removed by emergency surgery
Venal embolism - treated by drugs
Rapid heart rate - treated by drugs & to see heart doc for some time
Thyroid problems - treated by drugs and to see that doc too

She's been really spoilt in the hospital - having puddings with every meal, people waiting on her hand and foot (although I tend to do that anyway when I'm at her place).

At one point it looked like she had a police guard outside her room! A guy who was shot near HMP Manchester (Strangeways to those who know the place) was put in a room very close to hers and the police were kinda patrolling between the two doors!

But she's coming home, yippee!! Hurrah!! Can you tell that I've missed her?!?!?!?

Homecoming 1

The Everest is home! Hurrah!

Got a call on Monday to say she was fixed, but obviously with all the trips to hospital my bike was the last thing on my mind...although I had run out of clothes drying space while she was away - I use her body you see!

I collected her on Saturday morning and she's looking good. She bravely sustained no damage in the crash, so all that she needed doing was a fine tune and have her rear brake and gear cables replaced. Chris had even managed to find some cables to match the colour of my bike!

Once things get back to normal I'll post a picture of her on here for you all to see ;o)