We took Willow, our little Cocker Spaniel puppy to Dog Training at the weekend. Willow is just over 3 months old now so she joined the puppy class at Impington. It was really good fun, Charlotte and I watched as Russ took the role of trainer for Willow and she learnt various basic commands. There was such a variety of dogs to see there. Several classes took place at the same time in different patches of the meadow. Towards the end of her class Willow was taken onto the agility equipment and got to go over the little bridge and through the tunnel. Everyone seemed very friendly and nice at this Dog school and we'll be taking Willow there every week now to complete her puppy training. Russ got Willow some of the 'pilchard cake' which was one of the things they had to use for a treat to aid training. This seemed to work well but Willow did the most amazing stinks in the car on the way home - so if next weekend you spot us coming home down the A14 with all our windows undone and our heads sticking out, you'll know we've just been to the puppy class!
Cambridge Canine Education Group

I've been editing my final draft of the historical background for War Ditches and am very pleased with it, I will be even more pleased when I have actually handed it in and I can take a break from it to concentrate on some other exciting work and spending time with my lovely family and friends for the summer break  :)
We now have a new addition to the family! We got a dear little cocker spaniel puppy last week, she is brown and tan and we've called her Willow :) so as I sit here doing some work I have a dear little, soft, furry puppy nuzzled against my arm :D
This week has been busy as always but I am pleased to finally get some closure on a nasty bit of business caused by someone who has harassed, tried to bully and tried to publicly humiliate me since last October. Everything has been dealt with so professionally by my brilliant colleagues who have also had to put up with trouble from this person and I would just like to thank all my friends and family who have supported me and helped me through it all. I am so glad it seems to be at an end now. The Police and the Hate Crime Group and my solicitor have been fantastic and I am confident in how to deal with anything like this again (which I hope I never have to!). I would encourage anyone who ever feels threatened, bullied or harassed in any way to always speak out. Bullies want to frighten and intimidate you, you must not stay silent and hope it goes away. Tell someone! Your true friends and family will support you and there is a fantastic network of professional organisations out there to help you too.
I went out on Friday night for a little 'new start' celebration with my lovely crowd of sisters and friends. We had a lovely evening finishing off with everyone coming back here to see and cuddle puppy at about 12.30am. On Saturday it was Charlotte's 8th birthday, so we had another nice day. Sunday we spent decorating Charlotte's bedroom which now looks really nice. The next room to tackle is my office; I actually have a whole room inside the house (rather than the outhouse/store) to have just for my office! I can't wait, it will make such a difference to have all my work stuff in one room, where I can also go to work rather than sitting in the front room on the computer where I am really having to fight the temptation to watch Neighbours and Murder She Wrote in the afternoon ;)
Exciting event to go to on Wednesday in London, more on that soon!