Christmas Day 2010...

Ok, so Ella doesn't look too pleased, but she and nephew Edward have had a good few days in Southsea, UK. We've just about to sit down to lunch, then presents from under the tree before a christmas day walk to the beach!

Winter wonderland 2010!

Lunchtime walk in Hatfield Park - about 150mm snow had fallen on Saturday and stayed on the ground for the week, love it...

Snow walk in park

Lunchtime walk yesterday - 150mm snow in Hatfield Park, Ella loves it..... and is seen watching a dog in the distance and wondering whether to stay or go!

Sunday afternoon winter walk

Taken during a 3 miler winter afternoon walk in Hatfield Park. She's paused for the photo, but was more skittish than usual, running through water course ditches and needed hosing down once home... our route circles Hatfield House which can be seem occasionally from a distance.

Holly

In memory of dear Holly when went to sleep yesterday age 18. She was a special dog & taught young Ella the hierarchical stuff which puppies need to learn, bless her. This photo was taken when Ella was 4 months.

Birthday girl - 2yrs

Here's Ella walking on the meadows along the River Thames at Henley yesterday - she's 2 years old today, bless...

Midweek lunchtime walk...

Taken during a lunchtime walk round Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City.... great de-stresser from a morning in the office...

Walk round Cambridge...

Ella's 23 months this week... we drove across to Cambridge today and had a lovely Autumn mooch around the city centre and along the college 'backs'... here she is on the footbridge by Trinity College Library watching punts pass with Clare College in the background. Clocks went back last night so darkness fell sooner than we expected.

Autumn sunshine...

Attended a wedding in Sussex of a old work colleague this weekend... on Sunday took Ella for a warm sunny a coast walk, during which she had a good run in the surf with a young terrier... just love this shot of her!

... more chillin in the Autumn sun...

We're off!....

Great turn out..... everyone headed off at once at 10.30am completing either 1, 2 or 3 miles.... the dogs all loved it!

Hatfield Park Estate dog walk

The registration area at Stable Yard and gathering for the off...

Proud of her RVC rosette....

Here she is wearing her rosette with pride, ha!

Dog Walk - good turnout & thank you

Ella took part in the RVC Sponsored Dog Walk at Hatfield Park Estate this morning.... good turnout of dogs and owners and trudged across open fields, tracks and woodland. 3 miles and back to the finish for hot drinks and snacks... thanks to all who sponsored us and why not join us next time!

she's now 22 months...

Ella at 22 months, Hollingbury Woods... Autumn sun and getting to the end of a 3 mile walk...

RVC Sponsored Dog Walk

The Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust Sponsored Dog Walk - We're taking part in the RVC Sponsored Dog Walk on 10 October on the Hatfield Park estate... should be fun and to be honest the 3 mile 'long walk' is going to be sooo easy for Ella and me (we do daily 3 milers in less than an hour!), however they say it's the taking part that matters and any funds raised seem to be going to a good organisation.

If you fancy giving a couple of quid then just email us back your intention and any amount you wish to sponsor Ella... we'll then add your details to the form and take along on the day. Photos of the walk should be posted soon after the event.

Thorney Island - paddling in sea

Bank Holiday walk

21 months old this weekend and late summer bank holiday... Walk out to the peninsular at Thorney Island, Chichester Harbour, West Sussex...

Saltdean - seawall walk

I love this image of Ella trotting along the seafront between Saltdean and Rottingdean, Sussex... balance, linear, contrast, sky, sea and the timing of the break in the concrete wall and her stride, smart...

Nearing 20 months...

... and I come through and she's hiding under the bed throw!

Lunchtime walk...

This is our typical workday lunchtime walk... down to the Broadwater lake in Hatfield Park. Round trip of 2.5 miles across open fields, through woodland and along the bank of the River Lea flowing through the Broadwater... then back to the studio and work...

Chewing stick...

Ella's now 19 months and enjoying the summer walks. Ground is very dry and grass parched, but what joy at not having to wash her and dry her down when it's wet weather, bliss!

Early morning in Bristol park

Had a meeting at TV studios in Bristol yesterday. Ella came too and we had walk in nearby park in the summer sun before getting down to work...

Evening walk and buying a treat...

First time I've stopped at the corner shop for a treat during our evening walk...

Chilling on balcony....

Lazing in the afternoon sun on the balcony...

Hatfield Park - meadow walk

Late afternoon walk across the fields in Hatfield Park - long grass and wild flowers, Ella loves this walk...

Meadow flowers...

Lunchtime walk in Hatfield Park... across a meadow scattered with wild flowers. Beautiful warm sunny day, Ella just loves this walk.

Early evening walk across meadow

A lovely early evening walk in the sun in Hatfield Park across one of the grass meadows... it will be cut later this month for silage.

18 months and spayed...

Ella was 18 months old this weekend and is recovering from her spay operation last Thursday. She was drowsy for a few days and it's only now 5 days later that she's got her full appetite and energy back, although I'm keeping her from running loose until her scare heals. Vet very pleased.

Ella visiting Ella Road, N8

We walked from 9 Ella Road, N8 down to Crouch End Broadway today. Ella was named after the road where our family had a lovely house until the late '70's. Fresh bread from Dunn's bakery then past the Broadway clock tower to the YMCA Hornsey in Tottenham Lane, where mother and Eric first met all those years back. We finished the afternoon with a walk at Alexandra Palace park.

In loving memory

Here's dear Ella with mother at the National Trust's Wimpole Hall late May 2009 - memories of a truly lovely day, warm sunshine and picnic in the shade of a majestic oak. Dear mother looks so happy and enjoying the day and little puppy - Margaret Gardiner died 4 May 2010

Gunwarf Quay - Old Portsmouth

Ella & Edward during Bank Holiday at Gunwarf Quay, Portsmouth...

Bank Holiday weekend

Running with nephew Edward on South Downs... Ella loves having a stick, bless... happy times

April walks...

Chilling in Verulam and Hatfield Parks late April 2010... we've had lovely warm sunny days which have been bliss, enjoy

Saturday market walk

On way back through churchyard after a walk through St Albans Saturday market. Warmest day of the year so far, blue sky and so chilled...

Verulam Park, Springtime...

Resting during a lunchtime walk in Verulam Park, St Albans.

Ella dreaming of Brittany!

Walking the seawall at Southsea, early morning on Easter Monday.

Easter Day - Springtime in Southsea

Ella with Dad enjoying the Spring sun in the garden of little sis Ali at Southsea....

Muddy walk across rolling fields

Good Friday walk across waterlogged fields.... it had stopped raining shortly before we set off and turned out fair with fresh winds. Here she's standing into the wind sniffing the air, she loves...

Late afternoon in the Park...

Walking down one of the tree lined avenues in Hatfield Park.... it's late March, daffodils are in bloom, crocus afresh, first shoots of green in the hedgerows, and bird song... and with the clocks rolled forward the park is open 'til 8pm from this coming weekend. Nice evening walks ahead which we love.

Walking the fields

Springtime late afternoon walk across rolling fields... muddy hound. British Summer Time, lovely. She's 16mths old today and I've another birthday this week.... ho hum!

Ella meets Scooter!

Barking Mad - training session

This afternoon we attended a free 'starter' obedience lesson at the Barking Mad Dog Training School, at Graveley, nr Stevenage, Hertfordshire. After a group chat Ella at 16mths was put in a group of five dogs all aged between 9mths and 20mths. We then did a taster of simple command-to-lead, sit/lie down and agility exercise. The teaching at this school is based on reward, so treats are used for most activities. We've signed up for a 6 week course at 1.5hrs each Sunday morning session. The centre is out of town in fenced off paddocks. I'm aiming for improved 'walk-to-heal' and 'come-to-command'...

Annual vet check...

Ella had her annual vet health check this week and booster vaccination... all good with her. Weight is spot on at 16kgs and she's just ended her season, so spaying will be mid May.

More snow walks in late February!

Here we are walking in the local park in fresh snow.... late February 2010. Ella does not really care if winter has one last call before the spring.

Ella's mum

Just came across a photo of Ella's mother... she's the black and white PBGV on the left.

Ella in season

She's nearing 15 months old and in her second season which started earlier this week. Walks on lead and very aware of male dogs. She'll be spayed 2mths after this time, having missed the last opportunity due to her bacterial illness, bless her

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dunstable Downs walk

Our Sunday walk over the National Trust site at Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire. Ella is now 14 months old.

14 months - sleeping

Ella's been with me just over a year now and at 14 months she's seemingly settled in well!

Dog walking - no winter colds and snivels!

Get yourself a healthy young dog and add 30 miles walking to your normal week - you'll have a winter free from colds snivels and flu, bingo!

Iced legs

Arriving back from our walk in the deep snow... balls of snow and ice that required warm water to remove from her long fur


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

January fresh snow walk - Hatfield Park

This good 300mm fresh snow fell mostly this morning and couldn't help but break off from office to walk in the Hatfield Park...

Frost covered walk in park

Heavy frost still on the ground during lunchtime walk nr the Broadwater, Hatfield Park Estate.