Last walk of 2011....

Here's the turnout of dog walkers in Hatfield park this afternoon, last walk of 2011.... trying to get dogs to sit for a portrait!

Christmas Day 2011

Chilling after relaxing day of morning walk and lazy afternoon....

Winter walk on the Hatfield Park Estate

4 miler in Hatfield Park. Our group of dog walkers recently went for a drink/meal at local pub to celebrate Christmas and better get to know each other, good evening.

Birthday girl...

The girls 3 years old today. Lunchtime walk in Hatfield Park with Sylvie and Floyd the Great Dane. Here's down to the Broadwater. Ella's fit and healthy and matured into a fine PBGV. Actually it's a rubbish photo of her but I was more interested in the walk than in taking photos, so this'll have to do.

Autumn walk and the wood pile....

Taken during a 4 mile autumn walk in the heart of Hatfield Park - this woodpile had appeared in recent days from forestry work on the estate. It's been a very mild and calm lead into winter here.

Water point in park

Ella drinking from one of the water points in Hatfield Park during the recent record-breaking autumn hot spell. They have since been dismantled for the winter, so she'll be back drinking from rainwater puddles.

Not encouraged!....

Come back from the morning shower to find someone snuck into the bed....

Seven Sisters Park - East Sussex

A walk with Kathy through the Cuckmere Valley at Seven Sisters Park in the South Downs National Park. Across water meadows with sheep grazing to the pebble beach and the chalk cliffs.

Gathering of dog walkers...

Here are some of the regular dog walkers and the mix of dogs that meet up in the Park, usually late afternoon weekdays. Nights drawing in means that soon we'll have to be out of the park by 4pm so these gatherings will finish until spring comes back round.

Chilling at home...

Lazing on her bed in the living room...

Thorney Island Sailing Club

'Family Day' at Thorney Island Sailing Club, Chichester Harbour.

More of Thorney Island

End of summer, family day at Thorney Island Sailing Club racing and larking about on the water followed by a bbq and prize giving... Ella went in to greet Ed' who was just back from racing in his Optimist dinghy.

... and after our walk

Here she is asleep after a good walk that morning...

32 months old - Sunny walk, Abbey and market

She's now 32 months and in full health. Seen here during our Saturday afternoon walk through St Albans market and sitting in the grounds of the Abbey.

Walking St Albans

Sunday afternoon walk in St Albans, Herts. A day of sunshine and showers. We couldn't walk in Hatfield Park today as Elton John had taken over the estate for his concert.

Walk at Ferring

A lovely shot of Ella on a blustery windswept walk at Ferring.

In the shade...

Today saw a work visit to the Royal National Rose Society's Gardens of the Rose for a photo shoot of a recently 'named' rose. Photos taken, we got back to the car park where Ella snuck under the car for a bit of shade!

Summer evening walk....

Here we are during a lovely mid summer evening walk in Hatfield Park. Ella has just come back from 'flushing' where she tracks a scent across open fields and through woodland. Must have been a good mile away before she turned back. Bless, this is what PBGV's do, but does cause concern for the owner at the time!

In the Broadwater - Hatfield Park

Here she is in the Broadwater at Hatfield Park. The 16-acre lake was formed by a dam in the River Lee (or Lea) to power the now redundant water mill at the far end of the lake. The area was landscaped and replanted after the 1987 storm with a number of ornamental trees. We covered 5 miles today on tracks, fields and woodland.

wet Sunday afternoon...

Here we are on a 4 mile walk in the rain in Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire. It has rained all day and being a Sunday we got home and chilled out.

Hull, East Yorkshire

Visited aunt Barbara in Hull, East Yorkshire yesterday - day of sunshine and showers, this is us in Pearson Park with her rowan cocker spaniel Mandy. Finished day with roast beef carvery and yorkshire puddings!... E is 2 1/2 this weekend

Chillin at home

Chillin on settee...

Queen Elizabeth Country Park

During the weekend looking after nephew Edward at Southsea we visited Queen Elizabeth Country Park at Horndean, Hampshire where he had a birthday party and Ella and I walked the trail...

Ella & Ed' - Southsea weekend...

Ella and Ed' on the seawall at Southsea.... spent the weekend 'house sitting' and hanging out...

Eastbourne day out...

It's a year today that mother died and we came to Eastbourne for the day where Margaret lived for three years training as a teacher. Sunny, warm and a good walk from the college down to seafront and pier. Then just out town to Beachy Head and a short steep walk on the downs, good day.

Ferring Walk - West Sussex

Here we are with Kathy enjoying the coastal walk from Worthing to Ferring. A round trip of 4+ miles with the Bluebird Cafe at the turning pint which is good for mug tea and the all-day breakfast.

Worthing to Ferring walk...

Coast walk from Worthing to Ferring. Bluebird Cafe is a good destination....

Ella & Susie...

Ella and Susie meet up again over the Easter weekend!

Spring arrives...

During our three mile walk in Hatfield Park... the wild daffodils are just coming into flower and the sun had much welcomed warmth... the carving in the timber is part of a oak trunk for those taking a rest.

what's she up too....

had her meal, trashed her bedding and then sat for a few minutes in this state!...

Two years together...

It's been two years this weekend that Ella came to be my dog... This last month has not seen many posts because it's been a somehow dark time, but hopefully the days will get better...

Happy New Year

New years day here is damp & low cloud... so a day of shorts walks and chilling at home.