This post is all about Boola. Readers will recall that we've been doing our Kennel Club classes. After successfully doing our Bronze, Caroline our lovely tutor invited us back to do the Silver Award. The classes have been going very well, although we had to miss one when we were away in Cornwall. Anyway, last night was the moment of truth - the examination. I was nervous although Boola of course was his usual relaxed self and prepared by getting in some nap time after we came back from our morning walk. Unusually for a Tuesday night, Andrew was here so he waved us off when the time came. I hate being late for important appointments (well I just hate being late) so left in very good time. As is usually the way, this meant that every single traffic light was on green and we got there in record time! Of course, when time is against you, you can guarantee that's when the lights will all be on red and the traffic will be a nightmare.

As well as the examination, it was an opportunity for me to return a book to Caroline that she had lent me the previous week, a textbook on dog welfare that she had found useful and thought I would enjoy. I did, and am now ordering it from Amazon.

We went through the various elements of the test, starting with the two minute Stay. Boola of course always comes to class with his own sheepskin rug which makes this part of the test a dream once he is nicely settled. Like most greyhounds, he gets down on to his rug and stretches out and is then relaxed for ages. Several other people have found that a blanket or coat on the floor really helps with the Stay - I can't blame the dogs, it must be a lot more comfortable and inviting than a cold, hard church hall floor.

The hour simply flew by, especially as we had to do outside elements as well, including a demonstration of getting into a car and our road walk where dogs show that they can be walked in an urban environment full of interesting distractions. Suddenly it was over, and Caroline was dashing about with certificates and rosettes - Boola had passed. The hour had over-run slightly and another class (the Bronzes) were waiting to come in. So without further ado, it was time to go home, pausing only to give Caroline a thank you card and gift on the way out.

Home, and Andrew had baked a couple of pizzas I had made earlier in the day and opened a bottle of wine. Boola had some roast chicken and promptly fell asleep. I sat there contentedly munching my pizza and admiring his new rosette. The certificate will be framed and will join his Bronze one in the downstairs loo. Caroline will be running some Gold classes so I will have to decide if we want to do those - the syllabus looks pretty tough. She also mentioned training as an award assessor - something else to consider.

I was shattered last night and slept like a log. We woke early this morning and got the dogs over to Tredegar for a lovely early walk. The sun was rising as we were travelling over there and gave everything that wonderful rose gold glow you get at this time of the year - trees looked as though they were on fire. The park was quiet and Boola enjoyed running around sniffing everything although we didn't see any squirrels, much to Andy's disappointment. As a special treat for Boola, we served their favourite breakfast when we got home - I fried two packs of liver and served this with their kibble. After that the entire pack has spent the morning in a state of deep relaxation on various sofas - greyhound happiness exemplified.

An all too short weekend. We were supposed to be going to Bully's on Saturday night as an anniversary celebration but it seemed something went wrong with the Toptable booking and it was cancelled so we are trying again next weekend. Saturday was an enjoyable day though - we went out with Paula in the afternoon to the Yankee Candle shop to select some candles for Christmas. Had great fun sniffing everything in the shop and eventually came home with three gorgeous winter smells. Paula came back with us and we settled down to watch the last episode of "Downton Abbey" with a big pot of tea and lots of homemade chocolate cake - now that's an afternoon well spent. I did one of my reliable Mary Berry recipes with a chocolate ganache on the top - worked very well. The last episode of Downton Abbey was great - it took the characters right up to the beginning of the First World War. Can't wait for the second series next year. After that, Paula went home and we had a quiet evening. On Sunday, Andrew took Andy for the first run they've done together since Andy sprained his shoulder a while back. He's been missing it terribly but we wanted to make sure he was properly healed before starting back on the running. Andrew took him over to Tredegar House so they could run on grass which is much more forgiving than running on pavements or roads. Fortunately, they both had a great time and now Andrew can work on doing more and longer runs with him so he can get back up to his previous fitness level.

Today has been quiet - I've been working at home after taking Andrew to the station early this morning. The weather is getting colder, the forecast this morning on Farming Today was that it will get considerably colder as the week progresses. Our walk this morning was pretty chilly, but the dogs really enjoyed it.

In previous blog posts, I've been enthusiastic about a company called Photobox. I use them regularly for ordering digital prints and a variety of other photo gifts. With Christmas coming up, I wanted to order some presents, and one of the things I also like to do is to put a selection of photographs in with Christmas cards for people who we may not have seen much of during the year. I am almost tempted to do a "Round Robin" but am brought back to my senses by thinking about the ones that Rita and Roger receive (Andrew's parents). Every Christmas they show us the best ones and they are without exception, wince-making and unintentionally hilarious. Tarquin's record breaking ascent of K2 is casually mentioned along with the knighthood, the Nobel Prize and of course the tribe of lovely and over achieving children. Someone really ought to collect the best (worst) examples although knowing the internet someone probably already does. Anyway, what I do is pop in a few pics, with a printed label on the back, giving a few brief details - "Here is Andrew receiving his Nobel Prize" "Here is Kate ascending K2" etc etc. Hopefully the recipient can enjoy, keep the pics if they wish and dispose if they don't. In general too they tend to be sent to people who don't read the blog - if I know someone is a reader, then there's no point in sending pics since they will be overdosed on our doings anyway.

So this year, I ordered the usual set of prints for the Christmas cards, and now am pleased to say they arrived promptly, and I've affixed the labels and even made some pretty little folders for the snaps using some Christmas paper. Once the cards are done, all I need to do is pop these in - it's good to have that feeling of being organised. While I was at it, I also ordered a few other gifts. For a friend I ordered a mug and a collage calendar poster - plus some fridge magnets and some stickers. I uploaded the order on Monday night and everything arrived on Wednesday - Keith our postie was laden when I answered the door to him. Everything looked good until I came to check the photo mug. At first I could see something was wrong but couldn't quite work it out - then it dawned on me the design was upside down. I called the company directly on Wednesday lunchtime shortly after Keith's delivery - company immediately assured me a replacement would be rushed out and sure enough a perfect mug turned up with Keith on Thursday. Now that's what I call good service.

In a spookily similar example, I also used the Thorntons website this week to order various chocolate goodies including ones that can be iced free of charge with the recipient's name. Order placed on Monday - huge box arrived on Wednesday via our regular courier ( a really nice lady - we are very blessed by her and Keith). Unfortunately, despite very secure packing one of the chocolate figures was smashed - I calleed the helpline and a lovely lady immediately assured me that a replacement would be rushed out to me. I've heard several times that companies actually build stronger customer loyalty when they get it right correcting something that's gone wrong and I can see how this might be the case. In these circumstances, I am very happy to say that both Photobox and Thorntons have demonstrated exemplary customer service and I am happy to recommend them. Overall, I am making excellent headway with the Christmas shopping - it is nearly all done now. Next week my fave auntie comes up from Swansea and we are having a day together in Cardiff to enjoy some shopping - it will be a pleasure as I will have very few things on my list so will be able to relax and enjoy myself sauntering round John Lewis stroking fabric and sighing over the luscious collection of handbags. The next challenge is the wrapping - I am not so good at this. And it always amazes me how incredibly time consuming it can be.

Tonight has been an evening of relaxation. We're nearly at the end of Downton Abbey - I am going to be utterly bereft when it finishes as it has become strangely addictive. Like most women, I now have a crush on the adorable valet and there is something so amazingly sexy about both men and women when buttoned up in Edwardian costumes - the sexual appeal is subtle rather than overt and therefore much more powerful. It's also lovely to see women with beautiful pale faces rather than orange perma-tans - again, very classy and very, very sexy. One of the strange things is seeing some of the staff smoking indoors in the kitchen. It made me realise how quickly the smoking ban has settled into our consciousness - it just looks odd and unpleasant now to see a lighted cigarette indoors. Oddly, I probably wouldn't feel that way about a pipe - firstly, they don't seem to be smoked so much these days and secondly both Andrew and myself had grandfathers who were devoted pipe smokers. As a consequence, we both have very happy memories attached to them and in general, pipe tobacco is usually very fragrant and pleasant to be around - often it smells of fruit such as cherries For many years, Andrew had a pair of chairs inherited from his grandparents and the covers retained a very faint (but aromatic) aroma of pipe tobacco - there was something very reassuring and pleasant about the smell.

Since I last wrote, Andrew and I took the dogs and had a short break in Cornwall. We stayed in the Travelodge in Saltash, near Plymouth where we used to live. We chose the Travelodge as dogs are welcome and by booking well in advance were able to take advantage of their very cheap room deals.

It was great to be back in Plymouth and we managed to pack in a surprising amount in a few days. We saw lots of my dear friend Leila, which was great, and also managed to have a wonderful night at the gloriously named Finnygook Inn at Portwrinkle. If you are ever in SE Cornwall and want a good pub, this one ticks all the boxes. Great, friendly staff, really nice drinks, fabulous food, a beautiful real fire, spotless loos, everything you could want. In all, six of us got together and it was fabulous to catch up on the news, and just to enjoy a relaxed evening out. While we were in the pub, the woofs stayed in the car, and Andrew popped out regularly to check on them. Our table was cunningly located by the window so we could keep an eye on the car.

We had the obligatory stroll along the Hoe plus some really enjoyable walks over at Mount Edgecumbe Country Park and up on Bodmin Moor, to the Hurlers. The Hurlers are an ancient series of stone circles (subject of many myths and legends) and are one of my most favourite places in the world. The moor location is stunning, and you can see ruined tin mines in the distance. Nearby is the Cheesewring, a granite tor feature which is wonderful and offers glorious views over moorland and countryside. I also managed to do a surprise visit to the landfill site where I used to work, and gave my old boss a jolt as he was peacefully working to suddenly be faced with my smiling face!

Before we knew it, it was time for a last breakfast with Leila and then back home, via the South Devon coast road, which is a drive of astonishing beauty, stopping off at Slapton Sands to allow the dogs a quick stretch of the legs before the journey home. The dogs especially enjoyed their first taste of what a proper pasty is like (courtesy of Ivor Dewdney, a Plymouth institution) and it was great to go on the Torpoint ferry as well and enjoy the close up view of the river. Definately a trip we'd like to repeat.

Since returning, the days have flown by. Andrew went up to Chester on Friday for the funeral of his great uncle Bob, who had died at the age of 95. He had passed away peacefully after a long life, mostly very well, but marred by illness in the last few months. You can never be glad someone has died but this came close, in the sense of a long life peacefully enjoyed and a gentle passing - who could wish for more?

Over the weekend, I was making a quilt (will be doing a separate post on this over on my craft blog) and then on Sunday Andrew headed up to London early as he had a Monday morning meeting. Yesterday was our 13th wedding anniversary and it was sad to be spending it apart from him. I had tucked his anniversary card into his suitcase before he left, and Andrew had entrusted his card for me to Andy's care. The day passed peacefully and quietly - I finished my quilt (yay!!), and in the evening watched some of the Robert Plant programmes that have been aired lately which I had recorded. Yesterday is also special in that it marks the first anniversary of Boola's arrival with us (initially as a foster dog). A year is not a long time, yet I feel Boola has been with us for ages - he has settled in to become a much loved character and member of our family. On first joining us, he seemed stressed and nervous, and it's been a real joy watching him relax, settle in and unfurl his gorgeous personality. This is one party dog - he adores company, canine and human, is very laid back but will also not be backward in telling you if he wants some chicken or thinks it's time for a cuddle.

We're going to be having a joint celebration on the weekend - our dear friend Paula is coming round for a meal on Saturday night, and we'll probably make a special joint anniversary/Gotcha Day cake for us and for Boola. The following weekend, Andrew and I will probably go out for a meal, most likely back to Bully's which we enjoy so much.