chaliepud

They definitely 'go' Kylie!! I expect they are a common sight for you over there but they are very rare in the UK, people who meet Obi are either awestruck or terrified of him. Bless him, he is a teddy bear for us but he really isn't keen on strangers and can be rather rude in ignoring people, plus if you are a boy dog that still has his bits you'd better steer clear!!

Dylan is a Labrador/Collie/Gordon Setter cross but most people think he's a Lab, he really is a special boy, very laid back but he would protect me from anything or anyone...Obi is a blue Cattle Dog, also known as a Blue Heeler (they come in red too but I prefer the blue),the koala may not be too far off, he is Australian and descended from the Dingo! This pic of him is one of my favourites.... After living, working and walking an Australian Cattle Dog for 8 years it would be nice to have a dog that could have it's ass kicked for a change!!

Two thirds of the way through A Land of Decoration and I'm really enjoying it now, well maybe enjoying isn't the right word as it is rather sad, but strangely uplifting in the same way.... I had an hour to kill in town today while waiting for my daughter and a friend to come out of the cinema, I somehow ended up in the BHF charity shop (I figured it would be a cheaper way to kill time than in Waterstone's..) I came out with - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith Sanctus - Simon Toyne I've seen great reviews on here and elsewhere for the first two but I'm not sure about the Simon Toyne, the story just appealed to me!

Wind of Change. - Scorpions

9am (On A New York Subway) - London Beat

Chalet Girl, with my eldest children, it was good, cheesy romantic fun!!

Tollers are amazing dogs, I love the fact that they can work as a traditional gundog yet they have their own unique skills. They are a breed that lives to please it's owner and I have seen them succeed at high level in obedience, agility and working trials which would be great for me as I like to dabble in all three! This is the website of the kennels I visited some years ago - http://www.decoymans.worldonline.co.uk/ My parents have now moved to within 10 miles of there so I'll have to visit again soon... No puppies for me at the moment, I have 2 oldies at present, Honey (the brindle in my avatar) is now 14 and we probably only have a year maximum left with her as she is really showing her age now as has a couple of 'conditions' that are increasing in severity, she is still an amazingly happy and sweet girl but I wouldn't want to bring a puppy into the house now she is getting a bit doddery... My black boy, Dylan, is 13 and whilst still healthy is slowing down a lot and really just wants a quiet life so it would probably be unfair on him too. However if you want a cute puppy pic, here is one of my Cattle Dog, Obi, taken 8 years ago...

I'm had very little time to read this half term so I'm hoping things will settle down as the kids go back to school and I'll get some decent reading done. I'm a third of the way through The Land of Decoration, if it wasn't a review copy I don't think I'd have got this far but it's suddenly picking up and I think I'm understanding the lead character a little more, it's an unusual book that's for sure... :-)

At 2pm it's my home town Stevenage against my son's team of choice, Spurs, hoping Stevenage can pull off another giant killing!!

Wow that sounds like great work frankie!! Duck Tollers are one of my favourite breeds, fab looking and fab workers too (I like to work my dogs). They're definitely in my maybe lust for my next puppy... :-)

Never Too Much - Luther Vandross (love a bit of Luther x)

Hi Sue, I can't remember if we've met, but welcome back to the board! Don't be a stranger!

Only You - Yazoo

Peeves

How wonderful, I've always wanted a library with a sliding ladder, in fact it will be a must have if I win the lottery!

Sadly said goodbye to hubby today as he had to return to work in Iraq agin, he'll be home in the school Easter holidays and I'm getting used to managing the kids, dogs and house while he's away. I may now actually get some reading done, I don't think I've read anything for the last 4 or 5 days. I started A Land of Decoration by Grace McCleen and I think it's going to be strange one, but it's definitely interesting....

In that case I'd better take a look at Daughter of Smoke and Bone!! :-))

At The End Of A Song - The Carpenters

Definitely one for my wish list, thank you, Willoyd!

Weasel

Princess

I had the same problem with the Night Circus Shelley, perhaps partly due to my high expectations after reading reviews on here... I have to say that for me it picked up about 2/3 of the way through the book and I found the last 100 or so pages to be quite thrilling. Fingers crossed it picks up soon for you too!

As I said I find his books a bit hit and miss, I've never managed to get through to the end of Charlotte Gray yet others have loved it. I quite enjoyed The Girl at the Lion D'Or, but my out and out favourite, that I would rate slightly higher than Birdsong, is Human Traces, but I think I may be in limited company with that as I don't know anyone else who has read it yet. It is over 600 pages and very descriptive and deals with a subject matter not enjoyed by everyone, lunatic asylums and the efforts to create better psychiatric care and diagnosis, but I found it fascinating and moving and just so so wonderful...

I'm sooo happy you loved Birdsong too Ben, after reading so many more good reviews on here I think I may have to re read it this year, have you read any others of his yet? I do find his books a bit hit and miss and I know others have too but sometimes his writing is just sublime. :-) I hope you get to it soon Chesil, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Raising Arizona ~ Quirky but good... :-)