More Holiday News

Just before going into holiday mode again just to mention I'll be yelping for Bluey, Storm and Raven today when they run at Sunderland. Bluey has been finding her handicap mark hard to overcome and she was really tired after her last race having tried so hard. Today she runs against Storm who seems to run the opposite to Bluey ! Raven runs in the A2 event and I'm sure she will shortly be in A1 races.

WHERE'S THE SEA - AND MY FISH SUPPER ?

Now back to my hols ! Alan had promised to take me fishing and the thought of fresh fish was mouth watering but when we got there he had the tides mixed up and where there was supposed to be water was a mass of sand and puddles. Fishing was off the agenda. However, as I watched a very large gull wading in a pool not too far away pulled out a big flattie and after devouring it immediately pulled out a smaller companion who swiftly followed his companion's fate. Nice one Alan !

Water and me aren't natural bedfellows but I'm taken swimming weekly and my hols are centered on boats ! The Broads, where I reluctantly went for a few hours in a day boat, (would have preferred being on some of those big cruisers), was then followed by a stay in a luxury apartment on Windermere Marina ( see previous blog about meeting my new holiday friends). Now you are talking cruisers - serious cruisers ! Well when Alan said he was off to pick up his own boat and bring it to the apartment for me to get onboard, I had my snacks packed and was all set - even if it was forecast to pour down.

TOTAL HUMILIATION !

Those sort of boats must have some cosy beds and sofas on board plus heating. Only slight doubt I had was that anyone would actually fish off one and Alan did mention fishing. Then it appeared - total humiliation ! The smallest boat on the whole marina - Flipper ! No mistaking Alan at the helm and no way was I about to board Flipper. Wind blowing a gale on the main lake and black rain clouds forming above. Don't let this picture of calm fool you. Not even the prospect of a fish supper, as pike were the quest and they apparently went back in. All I could imagine was Alan would catch one of those monster pike the lake can produce and it would be having a Jimmy supper in the back of Flipper. Thankfully Anne was on my side and I stayed in the warmth of my apartment and waved a fond farewell to Alan and Flipper as they headed out of the Marina. Did he catch that pike ? Your' joking ! He was absolutely soaked through and all I can do is thank Anne for having common sense and allowing me to stay with her in the apartment. I enjoy my hols but why bring water into the equation ?

I suppose I should now concentrate back on the racing and start work once again to find a dog for you to back. Been several weeks now for my last tips to have been forgotten about !