So, how was your Bank Holiday? Was it wet? Muddy? Humid? Dark? Ours was.

Last Thursday evening, I went over to a friend's house to dog sit while she was out in the evening. One of her greyhounds (Jim, a delightful gentleman) is a bit elderly and likes the chance to go out quite frequently. While there, I settled in and did some cross stitch, while listening to Radio 2. On Thursday nights Bob Harris does Country and I always enjoy the show. Friend is also an accomplished quilter, so her living room and conservatory are festooned in very pretty handmade patchwork quilts - her greyhounds really do recline in luxury.

On Saturday I went to a card making workshop in Inkspot - enjoyable as usual. Popped in to the new Marks and Spencer Simply Food on the way home. Much as had been reported to me, nice stock, but the shop is freezing cold, and quite dark with black decor and enviro - friendly lighting - the sort that's useless.

A peaceful weekend, with some work on refining our monthly budget. On Monday, yesterday, we took the dogs to a new piece of Forestry Commission land near Rudry that links up with some of our other regular walks. Damp and misty but very enjoyable. This morning, to Cosmeston, again damp but good. Both walks characterised by an abundance of autumnal colours - bracken changing and masses of berries, including sloe, hawthorn, rose hips, blackberries and elderberries. It really does feel that summer is over. I ordered some autumn/winter stuff today from Lands End - it feels right to be looking at fleeces and coats. I suspect we'll soon have the heating on again.

We've discovered that Booty has corns - which partially explains some of her limping problems. In dogs, only greyhounds and lurchers get them apparently, which would explain why our vet hadn't picked up on them previously. We've now got some Hoof cream (yes I know she is not a horse) for her, and are ordering some custom made boots from the USA - Therapaws. Boots for our Booty.