Dog Walk

      

Sam and I both needed some exercise today - as did our dogs! Pixel is still not allowed an off lead walk as he has stitches in one foot still. We decided to go to Ashridge as dogs have to be kept on a lead at the moment due to the deer cull.
It was very muddy - and we had had a heavy frost overnight, the most severe of the winter so far. However it was a lovely crisp, sunny day and we had a nice walk - although the dogs couldn't understand why they had to stay on their leads!
Taking photos with one hand proved tricky lol!

                                                                        

Sales

Sam and I hit the sales this year - in a very modest way. We went to MK first and bought Sam some maternity / nursing tops and bras in Mamas and Papas and Mothercare in Kingston. They were all half price or less. We then went to the Centre and got her a half price tankini in Mothercare and me a knitted dress and tights in Monsoon - also both half price.
On Saturday we went to Luton and got a nice silk maternity top for Sam that she can wear to Robin and Hanna's wedding from H and M and some other maternity bits in New Look, who had a surprisingly good selection in their sale. The New Look changing rooms had been flooded so Sam had to try things on over the top of her clothes - which was more successful than we had thought it would be. She now has enough maternity /nursing tops to see her through.

Lunch Out

Sam and I went to have lunch with Debbie, Jim and the children at the Green Man in Offley. It was nice to see them all again- it was Christmas 2012 when we saw them last. The food was very ordinary, which was a shame but we had a chance to share news together. We made plans to meet up again after the baby is born.

Boxing Day

Sam and I went to Mum and Dad's on Boxing Day as usual. It was quieter this year - Andy and Louise are on their honeymoon in India and Charlotte and Ian were in Hull visiting Ian's parents.
We had a nice time as usual - good food, nice gifts and fun games to play. I took some photos using my new camera lens. (will add them later).
Sam popped home a couple of time to check the dogs were ok as Pixel still has stitches in one foot and Casey had two fits close together earlier in the week.
We got home around 11.30 and had a quick drink before going to bed as we were tired!

Christmas Day

Sam and I have had a lovely day. We got up around 7.00 and put the turkey in the oven. Then we did present opening - Sam's gifts for me included a lovely new Nexus 5 and a wide angle lens for my camera. Vickie and Jerry sent a Pandora bead from Australia and Pip and Liam had left a nice room scent gift for me an a Burt's Bees gift set for Sam. The dogs enjoyed opening their presents too!

We had a quick chat with Vickie and Jerry before our lunch at 2.00. Lunch was delicious - I needed a nap afterwards!



We had another short chat with Vickie - it was late for her by then so we will try and talk again tomorrow.

Charlotte and Ian had bought us a cheese dome and a game for the dogs. We popped our cheese in it and used it at tea time.Sam and I both like cold meat, cheese and christmas cake!

Christmas Eve

Sam and I are all ready for Christmas - our last one on our own. We did our food shopping yesterday in Aldi - very quick. We spent yesterday evening wrapping up presents which meant that today could be a relaxing one.
We watched some Christmas films and took the dogs for a short walk - Pixel managed to make one of his wounds bleed again. He is going to have to rest and go without walks till Friday so it will hopefully heal up.
Charlotte and Ian popped by to drop of gifts on their way to Hull. They will hopefully be at Mum's on Boxing day. We are both looking forward to tomorrow!

Visitors

Suzanne and her baby Joshua came to stay on Friday. Joshua was very good overnight and also when were out shopping in Dunstable on Saturday.

Suzanne went out on Saturday night, leaving Sam and I in charge of the baby. He was very good for us -  waking only once in the night and going back to sleep after his bottle. He woke at a very reasonable eight o' clock on Sunday morning. Sam found it difficult to feed Joshua his morning bottle because her bump got in the way!

Sam bathed Joshua - the first time she has bathed a baby. She did a great job.

 

While Sam went to Dunstable to collect Suzanne Joshua stayed happily with me. We took them both home around two - Sam and I were ready for a rest!

      

Feeling Better

Pixel now has a comfy cone which is making him feel much happier. We had to go to Jolleys in Milton Keynes to buy it. His check up at the vets was good - all healing well and the bandage is off. He has another check up on Monday.

Further Update

Pixel managed to get two of the stitches out of one leg today so he had to have another anesthetic and stitches put back in. He now has a big bandage that has to stay on till at least Saturday and wear the buster collar all the time as he cannot be trusted to leave his leg alone. We have to take him back on Saturday morning to get it checked out again.

Getting Better

Pixel is getting better - he has been a bit livelier this morning. Sam had to tape scratch mits over his feet to stop him licking the wounds.

Poor Pixel - Again!

Pixel hurt his claw while we were away at the weekend.This is the second injury he has had to a claw in six months. Sam arranged for him to have both dew claws removed today to stop it happening again.

He spent the evening at home feeling very sorry for himself!

                        

South Molton Trip

Sam, the dogs and I had a lovely long weekend in South Molton with Robin, Hanna and little Theoden. We passed Stone Henge on the way there.

We stayed in a B n B called Fishers Down Farm which was about five minutes from Robin and Hanna's home. There was a big field at the back where we could give the dogs a good walk and a great breakfast every morning. We were the only guests until Sunday night - when two with very big boots arrived to stay in the room above us. They clomped about for over an hour after we had gone to bed!
Robin cooked a lovely roast dinner for us on Friday evening and we met Hanna and little T.
On Saturday we went to a sculpture garden at Broomhill Art Hotel which we all enjoyed - and the sun even came out for a while. Sam and I have booked room for Robin and Hanna to stay in here after their wedding.Then we had lunch together and Robin again cooked in the evening for everyone.

 

                

                                            

On Sunday we went to the beach at Saunton Sands - and the rain again held off for us. The dogs has a great time - until little Pixel caught his nail on his front dew claw.
Sam and I had fish and chip lunch at Squires Fish Restaurant  which was delicious. I has deep fried salmon and Sam had an enormous piece of cod with chips. Robin had cooked a sausage casserole for our evening meal.

                             

 

On Monday morning - after another delicious breakfast and a walk for the dogs, we set out for home. The weather was very wet most of the way back - so we were very lucky to have had dry days when we were out and about.

Dog Chews

Sam and I went to the new Pets at Home at Gypsy Lane this evening. We had been to Toys R Us first, to see if we could find a gift for Robin's fiance's little one - we were unsuccessful. However in Pets at Home we found Bull Bars for the dogs, so not a wasted trip after all. Bull Bars are made from buffalo horns and both the dogs love them.  They will hopefully last a long time and give hour of chewing fun.

 

RIP Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela died today at the age of 95. When Sam and I visited Robben Island in South Africa it made an big impact on us as we read about life under apartheid.

Nobel Square

We were shown round Robben Island by a former prisoner