Thankyou.....

Thankyou everybody who has sent their kind & touching messages of support. They have given all of us the strength to look to a future without Rolo & perhaps start to see more than just a huge void.
There was one message sent to me (by Robbi via BCUK) & which I'd like to share with you all,

from your best friend........................

......grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if i were beside you....
i loved you so -
'twas heaven here with you.

Thankyou

My best friend has gone forever.....

At about 3am last thursday I said my last goodbye to the best friend I have ever had as I sat on the floor with him at our local vets. He had had more than his fair share of health issues - hip displasia & diabetes, which required daily injections but he was always happy & loved a game!
Unfortunately the dark cloud of (suspected) cancer cast it's shadow. Rolo was sitting happily with me wednesday evening though as the evening wore on he disappeared & we found him looking very ill in the dining room. We took him to the vets who put him on IV anti-biotics & fluids & promised to ring with any news. At half past one on thursday morning we got the call we were dreading, they had done tests & found a large tumor in his abdomen which appeared to have burst releasing fluid into his abdomen causing severe peritonitis. I sat with him whilst Sarah went home to collect her Mum so Rolo could have all of his family around him in his last moments which were mercifully peaceful. I'll leave you with some pictures of my best mate, so you can all see him in his prime & enjoying life.

We can pretend! (a grouse butt on the North Yorkshire Moors)

Rolo never grew out of a cuddle!

 He loved Christmas.....

....& his birthday!

Finally, my favourite picture taken at Burgh St. Peter in Norfolk at the end of a morning flight (unfortunately with no ducks).



Last trip of the year....

November is the month to spend a weekend at Munch's Hideaway to pack up for winter, put the heating on low & drain the water system (so we don't arrive to burst pipes in spring).

We took a last trip to Jarvzoo & were treated to the wolves sunning themselves on the rocks....

This chap was also spotted in the forest close by....

....recognise him?

We found a stowaway in our luggage when we arrived. It appears from his holiday photos he had a great time....

Although it seems that he does have a bit of a drink problem!!!!!

Interesting shots!

Well to me anyway. A couple more gratuitous pictures of my better shots when out with my bow....

This next one should probably be titled "I suppose you think that's funny" or "How does your deer smell?.... Awful"!!!!



A moose is a fun guy (or fungi)!

Apologies to my loyal readers for neglecting this tome for some time, I have been rather busy of late with work & music. I have found time to visit Munch's Hideaway so I thought you may like to see what Mrs Labrador & I got up to.....
September was a great trip, the first time we had spent more than a few days in Sweden on our own. As well as the grass (which grows like no tomorrow) we had a spectacular array of fungi growing in the garden..

We visited Jarvzoo & the moose were out, mother & calf....

Our friend, Daniel Grenander was away at college during most of our visit so we combined a trip north to Ornskoldsvik & Harnosand with a visit. on the way we passed a great looking cafe with this wooden bear outside....

Tommy (Daniel's Dad) took us into the forest to pick mushrooms & we found we were soon able to recognise Kantarelles which Ewa (Daniel's Mum) cooked & we later ate, delicious!

Mrs Labrador & I also took a walk into the forest close to Munch's Hideaway & after we had walked for about an hour our path was crossed by a cow moose with her two calves. Unfortuntely we didn't have a camera (doh, lesson learnt there) so I've attached a photo from Ocklebo Moose Park - which we also visited....





Before I go loads of congratulations to Daniel on getting engaged to Annica & on the following additions to his family....

Spooky.........

Mrs Labrador's Halloween carving skills!

A tune up!

After a few months of somewhat hit & miss archery I decided that it was about time I spent some money (those of you who know me will understand just how painful this was for me) & have my bow properly tuned.

Bow tuning has always been a bit of a mystery to me, like alchemy. I'm afraid I'd be the one who turned base metal into "a nugget of finest green!" So off I went to Custom Built Archery near Mansfield with my bow, arrows & a wad of cash, the group below I think speaks for itself....

Bow tuned, arrows shortened, just need to adjust the pins now!