December 31st, 2017 - Photo 365 of 365

Prince's new Cushion

The final photo of the 365 day challenge. Yesterday I got Prince a new extra large cushion for the dining room, and as you can see he is very happy and content on it. 2017 has been a very difficult year for Prince. Having lost his mum, Storm, to cancer in June, he was just about back on track when his serious spinal problem came to light at the beginning of November. He is doing really well, enjoys his physio sessions, and has been ever so good with his new regime of no stairs, short walks and being lifted an awful lot. We've been sleeping on the living room floor for a couple of months, so we both deserve a medal! 'Princey Boy' remains the most wonderful and affectionate dog xx

December 30th, 2017 - Photo 364 of 365

Palmer Park

A couple of minutes from my house is Palmer Park in Reading, which is where I played the majority of my Saturday afternoon home football matches for 15 years or so. We would tend to play here for a year or two, then move somewhere else, and then come back here. We played at a pretty low level, and we won just the one trophy during all those years, but I think this is where we would play our best football, and it felt like home too. For all but a couple of those years I played in goal, partly because I wasn't too bad there - certainly during the early years, but also because I was never capable of running after Friday nights out on the town! I can't believe it is now 16-17 seasons since I stopped playing when our side folded.

December 29th, 2017 - Photo 363 of 365

Serious Drinking

Avert your gaze from the public water pump in Sonning-on-Thames, and look at the stony wall instead. This is the scene of where, in December 1997, I got out of a moving taxi and fell into this wall breaking my nose, and smashing the cap on one of my front teeth, and basically knocking myself out. I ended up in hospital, and it could have been a whole lot worse if my friend Paul Way hadn't spotted me unconscious on this pavement in the early hours. It was a defining moment for me, as it brought to an end my years of drinking to oblivion every Friday and Saturday night. I have no recollection of this incident as I would invariably black out when drinking, but it happened after a late night lock-in at The Bull where I was once part of the furniture! Something had to give, and as painful as the episode was, it finally got the message home to me, and if I am being really honest scared the hell out of me. I don't claim to be a saint these days, but I rarely drink, and when I do I usually limit myself to just a couple. I still find it hard to be sober in a drinking environment, and the shyness that alcohol used to disguise is never too far away. However I have managed to come out of my shell a bit in recent times, especially due to the fundraising I now do, and the people I have met through it. So the lesson is when you have had too much to drink, and the bar staff kindly put you in a taxi to take you home, don't try and get out of it while it is still moving, as the outcome is painful, and a wonky nose! 

December 28th, 2017 - Photo 362 of 365

200 for Alistair Cook

Alistair Cook celebrates his 200 in Melbourne with the English fans on their feet in appreciation. Great television back home, but my brother was lucky enough to be in the crowd today to witness this remarkable innings. Of course the Ashes have gone, but nice to finally have a couple of days of good cricket from England boys, and how fantastic have the Barmy Army been throughout the tour!

December 27th, 2017 - Photo 361 of 365

Prince at Physio

A post Christmas trip to see the physio at Fitzpatrick Referrals for Prince today. Usually when he goes to the vets he has to be dragged in. However Michele had to hold him back this morning, as he was very keen to go and say hello to Charlotte the physio lady, who Prince absolutely loves. The last week or so has not been Prince's best, as his back legs are not quite as good which is the first backward step since he started the physio. Prince enjoyed today's session, and he got a double dose of the laser treatment and some manipulation, so keeping everything crossed that he responds well over the next few days. He is such a star! x

December 26th, 2017 - Photo 360 of 365

Echo

No not a Christmas present, but something I bought a week or so ago for myself. The Amazon echo is bringing music into my house, and work in a completely new way. Great sound quality, and I'm able to play my entire music library or listen to any digital radio station. It won't affect the amount of music I buy, as I still love to own the music of the artists that I love. I think there other things that it can do, which I will no doubt learn about over time...

December 25th, 2017 - Photo 359 of 365

Christmas Day

One of the more unusual sights I've seen on a Christmas Day. This brings a whole new meaning to taking the car out for a spin. We saw this wonderful Iroquois Tandem Steamroller built in 1920 while walking the dogs at lunchtime. Not sure how many miles it does to the gallon! Happy Christmas everyone 😊

December 24th, 2017 - Photo 358 of 365

The Bull at Sonning

Christmas Eve at The Bull in Sonning. In years gone by this was the biggest, and best night of the year for me and my friends. It was absolute mayhem, bedlam, carnage and it was a tradition we kept going for many years. If there has ever been a pub I could call my local then this it, and for 20 years or so this place was a massive part of my life. It is the only pub I have ever been barred from, after a Sunday lunchtime traffic cone incident 😊Of course times change, and during 2017 for the first time since I have been old enough to drink, I have not been to The Bull. In fact taking this photo this morning is the closest I have got, but as it was 9.00am, and on a Sunday I couldn't have a cheeky pint! Hopefully I'll get down there during 2018. Since George Clooney bought a house in Sonning he has been known to visit the pub, and apparently he wanted to buy it! I have not seen him, but my visits even before this year have been pretty rare.

December 23rd, 2017 - Photo 357 of 365

The Alarm

The postman arrived just in time for Christmas this morning bringing this stunning necklace handcrafted from silver pieces in the United States by DeAnna Cochran. It's been a great year for The Alarm with two new albums, a film, and also a documentary on national television. On a personal note I have cemented the friendships I've made with fellow fans after my many years in the wilderness, and their support and generosity in buying my Lives & Times bowel cancer charity book has been amazing. Looking forward to more adventures in 2018. 

December 22nd, 2017 - Photo 356 of 365

Eashing Bridge

This is the view of the historic Eashing Bridge which spans the River Wey south of Guildford. I took the photo from Abbey Mill - the original mill can be traced back 900 years. I drive over the bridge each week when I take Prince for his physio at Fitzpatrick (The Supervet) just down the road from here. It's a beautiful setting, and I stopped to take the photo, as I was a bit early today seeing as there was no traffic on the roads this morning.

December 21st, 2017 - Photo 355 of 365

A Frosty Fairmile in Henley

As we enjoy a very mild couple of days it already seems a little strange that just two days ago I took this photo on the Fairmile in Henley when temperatures were hovering at around zero degrees. Prince is finding it a lot more comfortable to walk on grass, so on my travels I am continuously looking for somewhere like this stop where he can enjoy a short stroll.

December 20th, 2017 - Photo 354 of 365

Christmas in Windsor

A festive scene in Windsor yesterday. The town is a little changed since I'd last been there, and I can't beleive it had been so long. As I drove in, I noticed that the old Shell garage had gone to be replaced a CO-OP, and other stores. Before my meeting with Basil Brush I also went into the Windsor Royal Shopping Centre which is inside the old station, and it was looking very festive. In the good old days, we used to deliver back bin bags to Windsor Castle, and you would deliver through the main entrance, and then drive up to the stores near the Round Tower.

December 19th, 2017 - Photo 353 of 365

Boom Boom!

There could only really be one photo today. I went to the Theatre Royal in Windsor to meet the legendary Basil Brush for the new bowel cancer charity book. We met up in between performances, and I got the opportunity to take some photos with Basil on the stage. You would not think you could have so much fun interviewing a fox!

December 18th, 2017 - Photo 352 of 365

Skirmett

Our family business moved to Medmenham 18 years ago at the end of 1999. Ever since then I have got to know all the back roads, and the route that I use the most is a cut through to the M40 at Stokenchurch, which takes me through the small hamlet of Skirmett. The views across the fields were pretty impressive today in the cold, crisp winter sunshine. I'm currently looking for new places to stop with Prince on my travels so he can enjoy walking on grass during the daytime at work, and this was perfect with a very wide grassy area at the side of the road.

December 17th, 2017 - Photo 351 of 365

Returning to Altwood Road

I returned to Altwood Road in Maidenhead last night to see Omid Dijalili at Norden Farm. The first time I had returned to the road where Mum and Dad lived all their married lives. The house was sold at Easter, and it feels very weird now going down the road, that feeling of it not being home, and not belonging. I was happy to see a really nice Christmas light decoration on display at the old house by the new family living there. Of course also very strange not being able to park there! 😊Time moves on...

The show was brilliant, Omid was on great form, and it was an excellent evening. I arrived at the venue to this very strange scene though, as everyone was walking away from the venue. There had been a fire alarm, but fortunately it was resolved quickly, and everything went ahead on time. I had contacted Omid's management about meeting him for the book, and although it wasn't possible last night, I am hopeful it might happen sometime next year.

December 16th, 2017 - Photo 350 of 365

Time comes crashing down

This was the scene (reconstructed today) when I got home form work yesterday. Mum and dad's old cuckoo clock had made a break for freedom, and had come crashing down onto a house plant. Initially, I thought that the internal workings had been broken, but on closer inspection today I am a little more optimistic that it might start working again. I need to drill a new hole in the wall for a more sturdy fixing first before I will know. It's a big link to the past, so hoping it will be ok.

December 15th, 2017 - Photo 349 of 365

Zac Purchase

Just when I thought it wasn't possible for anyone to come up with a new way to wear the bowel cancer tie, Zac Purchase-Hill came up with the eye patch idea. Zac, a former GB rower, won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, and silver in London four years later. I met him, and his wife Fliss, at their fitness studio in Marlow today for another chapter in the forthcoming bowel cancer fundraising book. They were really nice, and great to have them on board.

December 14th, 2017 - Photo 348 of 365

New Model Army

This is the photo I took of New Model Army at The Forum in London tonight as I was packing up my camera. The band had very kindly organised a photo pass for me to get a photo for my forthcoming bowel cancer fundraising book. It was another amazing experience, and a massive thank you to those who made this possible tonight. A blinding gig too!

December 13th, 2017 - Photo 347 of 365

Cosy Night In

So as my brother sets off to spend Christmas and the New Year in Australia catching up with many friends, watching cricket, and drinking plenty of beer, Prince and myself are already in the zone of spending plenty of cosy nights in. Prince, as you can see, is particularly fond of the gas fire on his new comfy cushion. He is doing very well, and the physiotherapist who he enjoys seeing each week is very pleased with his progress.

December 12th, 2017 - Photo 346 of 365

Sub Zero at Work

Today I had planned to go to the famous Cliveden Estate situated just outside Maidenhead on my work travels. However the snow over the weekend had closed it yesterday, and unfortunately for me today it still opened late, and after I had gone past, so that will have to wait for another day hopefully.

I arrived at work at 7.00 in the dark, and the temperature was -4.5C, and it barely made it above freezing all day. I took this photo at lunchtime looking across the fields. A lovely scene, but still bitterly cold, and the frost was still really hard in the shade. I had popped in to my folks grave earlier, and that was rock solid too, so no chance of planting the daffodil bulbs.

December 11th, 2017 - Photo 345 of 365

Maidenhead Railway Bridge

I stopped off by the river in Maidenhead today to photograph the railway bridge, complete with its new overhead electric cables. The bridge has two arches that span The Thames, and they are the widest and flattest in the world. Each span is 128 feet wide, and just 24 feet high. The bridge was built in 1838, by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and still carries trains on the main line in and out of London Paddington to this day. The arches are also famous for their sounding echos, so if you stand underneath them you get an amazing echo bouncing back at you - something we used to enjoy doing as children...

December 10th, 2017 - Photo 344 of 365

In The Snow

Prince isn't exactly a fan of the snow, but he had to go out into the garden a few times today to do his business... With his bad spine I had to be careful not to allow his back legs to slip, so I had to carry him over the path, and then set him down on the grass. The bad weather, and putting Prince first, has meant I have had to abandon plans to go to see one of my favourite bands, Skinny Lister, in concert in London tonight, but there will be other opportunities, so c'est la vie...

December 9th, 2017 - Photo 343 of 365

My Favourite Tree

This is my favourite tree, not that I have an obsession with them 😊 I see it every weekday morning as I drive into work. At this time of the year I can go past it just as the sun is rising as was the case here, or indeed in pitch black if I am just a few minutes earlier. 

December 8th, 2017 - Photo 342 of 365

Wintery Weather

To be fair what amounted to a brief wintry shower is pretty pathetic when you see some of the bad weather around the country today. However it did make for an interesting photo, as I took this in the van before it went out on its morning run. I am not a great fan of snow. It's ok to look at for a short time, but it's no good from a work point of view. Thankfully it doesn't happen too often in the Thames Valley.

December 7th, 2017 - Photo 341 of 365

Six Strings

My acoustic guitar, which has seen little action over the last couple of months, caught my attention tonight. It's time to get back onto the songwriting, and hopefully come up with something I can then hopefully record and release to raise some funds for Beating Bowel Cancer. I've had plenty of ideas musically, but lyrics have been harder to come by. Maybe with a little down time over Christmas I can see if the creative juices flow. I love taking photos of musical instruments 😊

December 6th, 2017 - Photo 340 of 365

Christmas Lights in Henley

The Christmas lights are up in Henley, and 7.00 in the morning is a good time to take them with the streets deserted. Missing some snow of course to really make a festive photo. I was going to take a few photos, but that pesky vehicle you can see with its lights on came and parked next to the tree to spoil that idea. I took a similar picture a few years ago, which appeared in my first charity book. On that occasion I used my proper camera and a tripod, and it certainly makes a difference when you have the time to set up and compose a photo sometimes.

December 5th, 2017 - Photo 339 of 365

Winter at Worplesdon

What a difference 24 hours makes. Today my excitement is unloading a lorry full of bubble wrap, whereas yesterday I was at the beautiful Worplesdon Place just outside Guildford. Having last been there in the summer while Storm was having chemo, this time I was back there to do a photo for the new fundraising book. It's still a beautiful setting at this late stage of autumn. I had a while to kill before the photo, so I was able to do a bit of people watching, and it was amazing how many couples were meeting there for dates on a Monday afternoon..

December 4th, 2017 - Photo 338 of 365

Prince with Nicola Bryant

When it comes to meeting people for the new bowel cancer charity book, Prince was determined not to be left out today, and he had a lovely time meeting Nicola Bryant. For both myself and Prince this was our first experience of meeting a real life Dr Who companion, and Nicola kindly brought some treats along for Prince too. We spent as much time talking about dogs as we did on Nicola's time as Peri in Dr Who during the 1980s.

December 3rd, 2017 - Photo 337 of 365

Xmas Tree

Very unusually for me I have my Christmas Tree up already. It usually goes up just before Christmas Day, but with my brother living with me now, and his impending flight to OZ, it has gone up early this year. I don't have enough room for a full size tree, so having always liked Mum's mini silver one in her hall each year, I got myself a similar one a couple of years ago. Mum's silver tree now resides with my sister, and I think the big green tree from Mum's must be in my loft. So next up will be getting my Christmas music back on the iPod...

December 2nd, 2017 - Photo 336 of 365

Carl Hester with Valegro

I met up with two gold medalists yesterday. Carl Hester MBE won gold at London 2012, and Valegro ridden by Charlotte Dujardin OBE won two golds in London, followed by gold at Rio four years later. Valegro was quite happy to wear the bowel cancer tie. It was a great meeting for the book, as Carl has had a scare with bowel cancer, so it was great to get him on board. Carl's stables in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside were stunning, and as well as Valegro, I got to see his other Olympic medal winning horses, Uthopia and Nip Tick, who are also stabled there. Quite an experience, and one that Mum would have loved of course.

December 1st, 2017 - Photo 335 of 365

Book Photo Time

I have hardly used my main Lumix G6 camera during this 365 photo challenge. However, today it is going to get an outing as I am going to Gloucestershire to meet Olympic gold medal equestrian rider Carl Hester at his stables. Any photo involving horses has the obvious connection to Mum, so it is also slightly sad, as how great would it have been for her to come along on this one...