Wednesday 7th April, 2010.

1) It's Vicky's Birthday today and, as anyone who knows us will testify, it is illegal to work on yer birthday: it's simply not natural. As Vicky gets to do just what she wants all day we have driven into town for a slap-up breakfast. We use the term 'breakfast' advisedly because it is nearly midday by the time we get there. Vicky has a West Country Vegetarian and David has a Full English. What a treat! Food Police lurking outside, happily, just out of shot.


2) Having 'stuffed our 'odge' we return home to get changed and then drive over to Evesham Dogs Trust to do a spot of dog-walking to walk off our hugemongous breakfasts. This is Busby, a 7-8 months old Irish stray. What a friendly fella he is. We really take to him. He'll find a home soon, no problem.

3) More daffs out in Worcestershire shock! Having a rest and a 'quiet sit' is all part and parcel of giving the dogs some normality. So what could be better than to sit and have a fuss with the middle-aged Corgi, Levi. Wasn't sure about him at first. Bit of an odd looking cove (but, then again, aren't we all). He spent most of the time sniffing every single tuft of grass and piddling in every bush but by this point he had run out of piddle and was content to rest for a while (whilst hoping his piddle reserves would swiftly replenish, no doubt).

4) It's almost quarter-to-four and as the DT closes at four we make this our last dog walk. This is Scarlett, one of many Staffie-crosses that seem to proliferate here. She's a lively sort and has a strange strangulated bark that seems to barely leave the back of her throat when she sees another dog in the distance. It's quite disconcerting at first but we convince ourselves it's nothing to worry about. She seemed to enjoy our company and that's the main thing. All the dogs we walked must have sensed it was Vicky's birthday 'cos not one of them gave us a present to clean up. Nice one! If only it was always like that.

5) It's now almost 6:45pm and, having had an hour long soak in the bath, Vicky is ready for her dinner. David has cooked her Tuna Pasta, just one of his many 'signature dishes.'
Vicky's verdict? 20-out-of-ten. Yes, you read that right. It's that good! Her only complaint is that there's 'rather a lot'. She particularly likes the '1950's salad' which, translated, means, a load of green stuff lobbed into a bowl. David's presentation skills needs work, she concludes. It only remains to sit down in font of the TV and watch the highlights of the Brands Superbike race on ITV4. Well, Vicky shouldn't expect to go a whole day without some motorsport just 'cos it's her birthday, should she?