We don’t like to think of our family and friends at home suffering in the snow so we organise an icy southerly blast to come up from the pole.  We’ve had some rain, mist and a cold wind to bring me closer to those I love up in the northern hemisphere.

It’s never much fun when this happens and I feel cheated when it happens during the summer.  After all it should be all about the sun.

With my executive work picking up it’s been a strain to not be outside pottering on.  The basset walks have been trimmed to a brisk hour rather than a leisurely stroll and I’ve hardly picked up the camera in the last few days.  Such is the life of business as usual, back to normal routine.  But tomorrow is a holiday giving us a long weekend so I shall be back in the holiday spirit right away!

The beauty of photographs is that you can bring out your memories and remind yourself of the moment.  The feelings and thoughts that gave you the complete experience.

Here’s Mason – he’s sitting at the top of the steps surveying his estate.

Here he is again but looking a little cuter this time.  He often sits and just looks up at you.  He’s such an attention seeker.  More often than not if the sitting and looking doesn’t work he’ll paw your leg (whether you’re wearing long trousers or not!).  And if he’s really not getting any response he’ll leap up at you but we’re working on him not doing that by clashing saucepan lids together.  I can tell you little basset doesn’t like the clash of saucepan lids any more than I do.  It’s a slow game but you can see him thinking twice now.  Well, as long as he’s not focused on getting his chicken necks for breakfast!

Now big basset he’s a whole different hound.  For one thing he is too big and heavy to be leaping around too much.  He tries and is apt at jumping up when there is food to be had.  But generally you’ll find Fortnum an altogether much more laid back, patience and self sufficient basset.  Talk about chalk and cheese!  Big basset’s idea of attention seeking is to run around like a maniac on our walks, barking to get attention from anyone who’ll listen.  Most especially to bark and bark at Mason to run and play with him too.  Big basset is happy then – someone to race with, someone to wrestle with, someone to be his friend.

We’ve had some real fun this summer although Fortnum really hates the heat.  He struggles with hot weather and loves to lie around on the cool tiled floor taking it easy.

So here’s a view of what it’s going to be like tomorrow.  Gone will be the cold mist and we’ll be welcoming back the sun for our long holiday weekend.

I want this good weather to last.  Although the trees needed the rain this week life seems altogether much better when the sun shines.  Or when it snows!  Hope you’re making the most of the extended winter holiday in the UK.