It's bad for your health

To be fair, giving up smoking is hard hard work, it took me about 10 goes before I finally kicked the evil weed. The NLND is also trying to join the moral higher ground people. However we all know that the flesh can be weak and it has to be said that hers sometimes wavers. A late night nip outside for a spit and a drag (not that she spits of course) can be a temptation. She has reckoned without our health fascist Ari.

                                "Can I smell ciggie smoke ?"

No sooner does her front door click open and the lighter flare than he is dobbing her in to all and sundry. His bark lays bare to the world that she may be backsliding.

He was called into action earlier this week when Tomfromthelodge 's dog escaped and arrived on the yard for a look around. Despite mine and H's efforts she would not go away. Ari arrived hotpawed to investigate, we were expecting fur and feather to fly but he was quite restrained and escorted her, firmly but gently, off the premises.

Big respect to Freshy who jumped and galloped round the Grand National fences at Aintree yesterday to finish a highly commendable 5th in the Fox Hunters' Chase

                                               Fresh Air and Fun (and Lydz) warming up at Ludlow

The big race is tomorrow and H will be sticking with AP McCoy and Synchronised, whereas I will be siding with According to Pete and the wonderfully named Shackalackaboomboom. Let's hope that all the horses and jockeys come back in one piece.