Quick response to Jonathan's point about censorship. Ooh, I hadn't seen myself in the light of an Orwellian creature creating doubleplusgood opinions and rewriting history.

Yes, I moderate. I have never (and would not want to) removed any genuine comments but have had to edit loads of blasted spam (especially on the new site, more than on this one for some reason) and one or two perculiarly pornographic missives. I am disappointed generally at the paucity of open comments - people seem to be shy and prefer to send emails (perhaps this is more private) if they want to comment on something I've written. Again, something I'd welcome comments on, from users.

An afternoon spent time travelling. I had filled a box of cards to post to the GRW shop in Newcastle Emlyn. Popped into the Post office this afternoon to send it off - and hey presto, it was closed. Bear in mind also that many of the South Wales post offices are currently facing closure, and this is how they go about building their customer base. In my naive way, I had assumed that half day closing was one of those quaintbut long past features of my childhood many years ago. Other such things would include, cue nostalgia :-

tinned fruit with evaporated milk
home visits from a cheery GP who knew the family
Startrite shoes
Spangles (the sweets)
candy cigarettes
Being allowed to go to the shop and buy cigarettes for my parents (seems unthinkable now)
Off licences attached to pubs
Black and white television
Double decker buses with a conductor
Smoking on buses (well, smoking everywhere, come to that)
People covering the back seat of cars with acres of plastic sheeting to keep it nice
Morris Marinas, Austin Maxis and the early Ford Escorts
The concept of going for a run in the car (esp on Sunday afternoons)
Dog licences
Puffin books with dragons on the spine to show how easy to read
Ladybird books
Blue Peter advent crowns before Christmas
Walking to school
The Tufty Club
NHS dentists
Teachers who regarded it as reasonable that you would learn to spell and count
Shops that would cover their windows in a kind of orangey film to protect their wares from sunshine
Lucozade being something you only drank if you were ill as a treat
Liver salts (what on earth did they actually do?)
Club biscuits

Other suggestions welcome....

Had an enjoyable afternoon crafting. Thought I would post a photo or two of Booty wearing her new housecoat. I think she looks adorable, Andrew now calls her Noel Coward. She wears it at night when the central heating is switched off, and I've noticed a big difference in keeping her warm - she is quite a cool dog, unlike Andy who usually is thermonuclear and gives off enough heat to make him a giant hot water bottle. Given her arthritis, I want to do everything possible to ensure she is as comfortable as possible. She has been relaxing this afternoon supervising my craft session, which is described in more detail on my other site. As you can see, I've upgraded the settings allowing better links. Comments and suggestions wanted on the revisions. I'll be adding more over the next few days and my other ambition is a slideshow. For Jonathan's benefit, I'll try not to make it too hound-centric. Suggestions or requests for photographic subjects are very welcome. Of course, we are now entering the time of year when my obsessive garden photography will get going again, so that may provide a welcome relief. Tonight we are going out for a Thai meal, to a restaurant we have not tried before.

Last night was quilting class. Got on well, showed completed Illinois block, and have been working on another, which is shaping up well. I show full details and pictures on my craft site.

Anyway, we get into some interesting conversations in class. We covered last night goldfish (life expectancy of), phantom pregnancy, American quilt tours, and of course the perennial subject of chickens. It turns out that one of the group actually keeps chickens (19 of them) and so we are all interested in buying eggs and have placed orders. We talked about the recent programmes and our tutor said that over the weekend she had bought a free range chicken, costing £12 - eek! She hadn't actually told her husband how much it had cost, and she made us all laugh by explaining that at that price she was determined to extract every single ounce of goodness from it, right down to making stock with the bones, after conjuring about four meals off it.

The atmosphere in class is intensely feminine and cosy, and we have some very interesting conversations between learning and while we are working on our blocks. Apparently that is what used to happen at quilting bees - I can imagine it being very pleasurable, although possibly gossippy?

In the garden, we have two crocus about to bloom and lots of interesting spikes coming up in the beds - interesting to see things starting to happen. The fish have been quite lively too - not as torpid as they were last winter. We are not over the cold weather yet though I feel.

More about chickens this evening. It appears that Axminster Town Council has passed a resolution asking Hugh F-W to apologise for his rather high-handed treatment of those who chose not to buy free range chickens, although to be fair, that might be more to do with the way that the programme was edited and put together than HFW's intentions. Anyway, it would appear that intentionally or not he appears to have royally pissed off the locals, and I do have some sympathy with them. Having previously lived in Devon, and having current friends in the farming/rural economy, I know that Axminster is an area with low wages and a great deal of hidden poverty, in common with many rural areas. I'd like to see Hugh living and cooking on the food budget of many poor families (with the time constraints they also face).

None of this of course detracts from the main point about animal welfare - but I've reluctantly reached the view that many people simply don't care and are not interested in animal welfare, especially if it is likely to cost them more money. The answer as I see it is simply to raise the basic bar - so that minimum standards are legally raised thus making it harder for consumers to take the cheap and easy option. I'd also like the public sector to do more on this. As a local authority, for instance, we provide catering facilities for both staff and the public in a myriad of ways. We've made some tentative steps towards Fair trade coffee/tea etc.. but this could be the next issue. I'd be very interested to see if any of our unions would take up this campaign - as without their support (especially again on the issue of cost in staff canteens etc...) this won't work. Public pressure might help though - if you're a customer of a publicly run venue, ask for free range, whether it's a night at the theatre, a school canteen or a residential home. I think I may write some letters on this issue and will report back on the findings... At heart, though, I do suspect this will probably remain one of those issues mainly of concern to middle class softies like myself. Also, I keep reminding myself that many people in developing countries would probably be astonished at us caring about such issues when humans were going hungry. I will also continue to report on the availability (and cost) of free range/organic chicken when we go shopping.

I'm sure some readers will be muttering at this point "What about farmers markets?" I like them as much as the next person, and we often go over to the one in Penarth, and less frequently to the Sunday one in the centre of Cardiff. However, they are a delightful extra, not a way for anyone to do their week's shopping and I am convinced that for real and mass market change, what happens in our supermarkets is crucial.

Off my soapbox for now. Booty fully recovered in that her bruises are now gone, and both woofs are delightfully (well, to us anyway) clean, shiny and fragrant. From a dog perspective they are probably calling us everything and very cross that a carefully cultivated aroma has been destroyed.

Back on my soapbox for another quick, unrelated rant. Blasted Cancer Research ads have started back up again, with their delightful strapline "I shouldn't be here". Well, I am here, whether I should be or not, I'm mad as hell about it, and I'm fed up with such emotive nonsense. From the front line of cancer survival, I can confidently say that there has never been a moment when I've ever thought "I shouldn't be here" - quite the reverse in fact - I am immensely pleased to be here, feel entitled and am determined to squeeze as much quality time as I possibly can out of the time allotted to me on this beautiful and interesting planet. Apart from anything else, I want to see women bishops, liberated chickens, an affordable programme to manage/cure HIV in Africa, an end to malaria, Dollywood, the Ring Cycle again, whether the Bay relief road will ever get built, a ban on caravans (mobile, not static), compulsory tarring and feathering for flytippers and to have dinner at a three star Michelin restaurant. There, that's plenty to be going on with - I could add more, but we'd be here all night.

An update: we took the dogs over to Cosmeston this morning. They ran, well like greyhounds round and round in the paddock, with Booty hurtling as much and as happily as Andy. To see them like that is one of the most uplifting things I can imagine - it's such sheer joie de vivre, coupled with genuine awe at the speed, cornering and braking - all impressive, especially the parachute effect of the helicopter tail when they brake heading at the gate at the last minute. Both were as mud encrusted as I have ever seen them when we finished our walk. Came home and decided to administer that most hated of greyhound rituals - the BATH. Water was filthy running off them, but they are now both clean, fragrant and naked without collars while drying. Non Christmas purple collars will be replaced when they are dressed later. They give us such reproachful looks when they come out and the water makes them look spikey like punk dogs.

The weather continues to be very wet and windy. Even in daylight, it seems gloomy, with a low grey sky and constant howling gales. Every dog walk seems to be a battle against mud and squelch and the house seems to be always full of drying coats (ours and theirs), boots and yet more mud, no matter how much I try to keep it clean.

Yesterday started with a visit to the vet for Booty. She does not like going there and while we were waiting to be seen, was shaking all over, even though the vet is a kind and gentle person. We have had concerns for a while over her shoulder. She's been on Synoquin since the autumn (as has Andy as a prophylactic measure) - canine glucosamine/chondritin. This did help, but in the cold weather just before Christmas, she stiffened up again. I wanted to make sure that nothing else was going on and to ensure we are managing it as best we can, although arthritis can never be fully cured, just managed. Vet has decided to start her on a non steroidal anti-inflammatory, and has also given us the details for a hydrotherapy pool not too far away, to be tried if the tablets work and help to manage the inflammation in the joint. This will help to ensure that there is minimal muscle wastage around the shoulder area, as he commented that already there is a little bit of it in the shoulder area, which can then exacerbate the problem with the joint and her movement. I will write more on the hydrotherapy later, but won't be trying it for at least a month, after the AI has been working effectively for a while (Previcox ). All this may sound rather gloomy,but of course in practice she is keen on her walks and loves to run over at Cosmeston - the key is to keep it that way for as long as possible. As she is also very stoical, I also want to make sure she is not in any unnecessary pain.

We then took them both for a walk at Tredegar Park (not the house), which are the playing fields and park just over the roundabout from our usual haunt. A firm path which is an important consideration in this weather -all the playing fields were not being used and many had huge pools of standing water on them, an indication of how saturated the ground has become.

Home for a morning of drying out, breakfast and then domestic pursuits. Spent a happy afternoon curled up on the sofa cross stitching while watching QVC's Craft Day. Usual quota of hideous tat but also a few nice things - I bought some adhesive ribbons at a very good price. Used QCut, their automated system, this is incredibly fast, efficient and impressive. Why can't local government use this level of technology for phone payments?

In the evening, Andrew made a risotto, using some of the turkey stock from Christmas that we had frozen, and some really good Parmesan. We opened our last bottle of Mearsault 2002 - we bought a case of this for Christmas three years ago, but due to illness, didn't get around to drinking it all at the time. Anyway, it was delicious when opened but we have had several bottles maturing nicely under the stairs, and it has been fascinating to watch how the colour and flavour has developed and deepened. From being a pale yellow to start, the colour of the last bottle was a deep honey gold, and the flavour had rounded gorgeously - ah, bliss. Mearsault would be one of my favourite wines.

We watched V for Vendetta, which A had recorded over Christmas. A certain irony in seeing John Hurt who played Winston Smith in 1984 then playing the Dictator/Big brother character in this film. Some interesting ideas, but I didn't feel they went far enough or developed them sufficiently. Orwell of course has set the bar for writing about the way power affects language and history (our reshaping of it to fit current mores). More contemporary was the idea of a government faking a large terrorist incident to whip up support for measures that are anti-libertarian. There is a large body of opinion on the Net (not one I share) that the 9/11 and even the 7/7 attacks were staged or had deep government involvement.

The film also featured a ubiquitous role for Steven Fry as the persecuted gay and I also wondered how Natalie Portman felt about some of the Holocaust echoes - head shaving, biological experiments on prisoners etc.

This morning has dawned wet and windy (surprise!) and we'll be taking the woofs over to Cosmeston later for a run and a walk.

To Busy Bees this evening for my machine quilting class. Very cold there tonight so glad to come home and get into my pyjamas. Good class - we are learning to do more cutting with our rotary cutters, and new ways with sewing triangles so I can make blocks called "flying geese".

Update on Booty: she is doing very well. All behaviours completely normal, including eating, sleeping, walking, hopping on and off beds and sofas, looking cute and demanding cuddles, weeing, pooing, sniffing, chewing, wearing coat, drinking from pond etc etc….. Arnica ointment applied and smells very medicinal.

I took her back to the scene of the crime again today – same again, no problems at all on the boardwalk. We did have a hairy moment at one point – Booty stopped for a poo (and will NOT move once she has started) so Andy and I stood round waiting. At that point, a very large swan complete with troop of almost equally large cygnets hopped out of the lake and started hissing at Andy, being nearest. Andy immediately and very sensibly backed smartly away and was saying to me “Come on, let’s get out of here!” while meanwhile Madam was about her business. After what seemed an eternity could finally do the world’s fastest scoop and make a hasty exit, pursued by hissing and flapping killer swanzilla…..

I am beginning to wonder what else could happen in such a small and superficially harmless urban park.

A quick update on the patient. Have bought arnica ointment and applied it liberally today. She spent a peaceful night sleeping on our bed, and although a little stiff when she awoke, was keen to go out for a walk. Took her back over to the scene of the crime where she thoroughly enjoyed herself. When we reached the boardwalk she strolled across, and in fact was very interested in the ducks and was practically in the water on the other side. She also waded cheerfully through all puddles. So no sign, thankfully of any residual worries at the location or associated with water. She has spent the rest of the day snoozing either on the sofa or on the bed, looking very relaxed. Her appetite is fine and in every possible way she seems to be recovering well. Thank goodness.

A traumatic day today. Was walking the dogs over at Park Tredelerch, between torrential showers and hailstorms. Part of the circular walk involves a boardwalk over the lake. As we were about two thirds of the way across the boardwalk Booty slipped and fell in the lake. Had a panic stricken and very undignified scramble to try and get her out, mainly by hauling her out with her coat. All of us very shaken, and Booty also soaking wet. Returned home and have kept a close eye on her. Spectacular bruising now coming out on her belly, which being bald shows it up very clearly. Had a chat with Sandra, our greyhound guru, who recommends the application of arnica tomorrow. Otherwise she seems fine, as she is eating, moving, jumping on the bed, drinking, weeing and behaving in all ways very normally. We will however keep a close eye on her. Sandra also recommended that we return to the park tomorrow and walk over the boardwalk several times to show her that there is nothing to be frightened of.

Since I last posted we seem to have watched a lot of programmes about chickens, having taped and seen Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's set of three and one by Jamie Oliver. HFW is rather irritating, and I must admit if I lived in Axminster I'd probably be fed up with him. His campaign to persuade people to go free range was fatally marred by the fact he had just opened a very expensive farm shop in the town selling, you guessed it, free range chickens. He seemed suprised that base motives would be impugned, and said in tones of mock horror that the townspeople were quoting prices of £18 - 20 per chicken. Interestingly, he didn't actually say how much he was charging which makes me think these prices were probably quite close. At that price, very few people could afford a chicken. Anyway on Saturday, having watched all these programmes decided to buy a happy chicken for Sunday, to roast. Sainsburys had nto a single free range or organic whole bird or any portions on sale. Ho hum. So we had an outdoor reared pork joint instead. Also bought a bottle of Martini Extra Dry to experiment with making our own vodka martinis. Not wholly successful, as to be honest, the cocktail is too dry for us, but we successfully adapted it into the Crantini, a version with the addition of some cranberry juice. A most delightful pink colour and a very refreshing drink. One of my favourite cocktails is a Sea Breeze, which is a mixture of vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice, which is what inspired me to try the Crantini variation. If driving, a Virgin Breeze is also very acceptable.

Sunday we took the dogs over to Cosmeston which they enjoyed tremendously as did we- had a good run in the field. Not many dogs around as the weather is continuing to be wet and windy. Today has been full of heavy showers, hail and strong winds. I am very glad indeed that I bought the new boots and coat - they have proved their worth. After Booty's immersion, I washed her and Andy's coats, they were filthy, and heavily mud spattered. We'll be giving her a bath in the next day or so when her bruises are a little less tender.

Some photos as promised, taken over the new year.Some taken at Fourteen Locks, some on Barry Beach and also at Heath Park. If you want to be updated on craft related new website, drop me an email, or put up a comment.

Yesterday, went over to Busy Bees to select fabric for my second quilt. Classes start this week. Very exciting. Took the young master with me, as the quilt is likely to go on our bed. We selected a palette of lilacs and apple greens, with a variety of six different prints that will be used for blocks and background. As the shop is at Tredegar House, thought we would combine with a dog walk. Order of activities was disrupted slightly when our arrival in the car park coincided with a ferocious hailstorm. We had just got the dogs out of the car, who normally at that point are tugging us eagerly when quite spontaneously they both jumped straight back into the boot and left us in no doubt that they would not be walking in the hail. Fortunately this was of short duration and then we were able to resume our walk. Not surprisingly, not many people, rabbits or squirrels. Iwas able to road test two new purchases from Lands End after much dithering. A pair of Extreme Squall boots (who the hell thinks up these names?)and an Extreme Squall jacket - ggaaaahhh. Toe curling just to write. Perhaps these names work for Americans.

Anyway, the jacket is a model of snuggliness and water proofing with a Goretex type outer (although not Goretex, but something similar), so many pockets I am still uncovering new ones, fleece lining and all sorts of zips, flaps, toggles, velcro bits and a hood of Sith Lord coverage. It is humbling to reflect that Captain Scott went to the South Pole with less garment technology. Anyway, the boots are similar with fleece lining, toggled laces and lots of cleats so that I can navigate tree roots, puddles and mud with equanimity. They are also a very cheerful fire engine red colour.

This morning, went to the park, again armed with new clothing. Woofs enjoyed themselves as did we. Returned home to bacon sandwiches, Sunday paper, and the last of the Christmas coffee, which smells divine. Just doing some leisurely domestic pottering, which is all I feel capable of, and the young master is about to embark on a run. His next scheduled public appearance is the Valentines PPK Love Run - keen readers may recall he entered this last year but it was cancelled owing to snow. He is now officially in race preparation mode. I will be downloading some pictures later so may post them.

Should add that I have tinkered with the blog settings thus making it easier to add comments, including anonymous ones. I await with interest.

Weather wet. Hounds well. Went to see St Trinians tonight - with Rupert Everett and Colin Firth. An enjoyable and light hearted film with a battery of sly injokes at CF's expense, even going back as far as his and Rupert's "Another Country" which I realise (to my horror) is probably at least twenty years old. My, where does the time go? Speaking of wasting time, my Stat Counter is now proving most illuminating in analysing numbers of visitors and other bits of info. Who is the person at Cardiff Council who spent half an hour today looking at my blog at 11.30 this morning? A mystery prize for further info.... The stats do not throw a particularly cheery light on local government productivity. Furthest visitors so far are from California, Ohio and New Jersey so a warm welcome to you. Cannot yet compete with my cousin who has regular visits from a Chilean. On line of course, rather than in real life, although there would be nothing wrong with a Chilean turning up at your door, especially if he was bearing wine. A hat tip here to said cousin for pointing me at the website for the software download. And for his delicious recipe for vodka martini. Honed, I might add, after valiant field testing and lengthy refinement. That's the kind of dedication to high standards that is an example to us all.

House is now un-decorated and looking bare, but tidy.

Happy New Year to all my readers, wherever and whoever you are!

Christmas has flown by, with many visits to relatives and friends and for New Year, A's parents coming to stay for a few days. Had a very enjoyable time. Yesterday we took the dogs over to Cosmeston in the morning and in the afternoon to 14 Locks near Risca, which was very interesting and well worth further visits. Rita and I watched the ballet "Tales of Beatrix Potter" which was lovely. Saw in the new year via a glass of champagne. Went to bed around 1. Today has been quieter. We all went over to Barry Beach at 1, where Greyhound Welfare have an annual NYD walk. Beach was very busy with what seemed to be a convention of Yorkshire Terriers, so the greyhounds all got very excited! Some people had chips on the foreshore after, we came home and had lunch, although Andy was naughty and nicked some cheese from Roger's plate. In-laws were in their usual very high spirits, and had brought over some particularly fine Round Robins for us to have a look at- these are superbly entertaining. Now feel absolutely shattered and also have a very big pile of ironing to tackle that has been neglected over the past week or so. No peace for the wicked. I attach some photos.

Suggestions welcome to the usual address for resolutions..... .