The races were a success, particularly for Lisa who had the gift that day winning something in just about every race. I won a race at last, a ten year drought over? Lost the next 4 races….

The evening bash started in the bar basement of Monty’s, with some very tipsy people dancing to the wailing tunes of the guitarist singer. Really bizarre as the one lass and two chaps were dancing about 12 inches from the singers face which must have put him off his performance, certainly sounded like it. The dancers were not only 12 inches from the singers face, but their butts were 12 inches from our faces – I thought Kim was about to have serious words when mercifully we were called to our table.

Very nice food, plenty of vino and a good time had by all. The old folks amongst went home for a cup of tea and sleep, the less old ones ventured into the night world of Cheltenham and its clubs…….and I gather sobriety was not on the agenda…..

This time, no work next day so everyone had a good 3 day break.

Toby was excellent, very professional and kind towards Willow. No drama, no discomfort, just a quiet passing on. Best dog in the world who will be missed by everyone. Except the others who do not seem to have noticed the extra space on the sofa……..

Everyone had a great time and the girls were very sweet and bought a bottle of champagne for the table to celebrate.

I was particularly pleased to have Steph and Natalie there to see their hard work rewarded as they very much deserve it.

It was a late run home in the bus, and with an early 8am start at work on the Saturday there was precious little time to catch a sleep. Sammie and Claire decided not to wait and save some time by getting into their nightshirts and dressing gowns on the bus, so that they could just collapse when they got in…see photo, hilarious.

The Award is in the lounge by the computer for all our clients to see and the feedback has been tremendous.

Before the big event

After the big event

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Turns out she was dehydrated and had intestinal problems but thankfully no lumps or chest issues, although throat lump now getting bigger again. (it has been 18mths since her radiotherapy in Cambridge Vet School).

Back to the cooked rice, poached chicken, antibiotics and rehydration liquid with plenty of TLC and she bounced back yet again…amazing

What you may not know is that occasionally, I invest in some brain training and recently went on a four day coaching session in Trelowarren in Cornwall. This was a course on leadership using NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and putting some time aside to think and revisit the vision for the future. Interesting stuff but really hard work as you have to think a lot…..it also involved an analysis of Henry V…….

Lorraine opted to stay behind as Willow was not well.

The week was spent in an Eco cottage, sharing with others, Paula, Ben, Siobhan, me. Much wine and dental chat first evening followed by day of coaching in Trelowarren library, with big chairs and a large open log fire. A lovely atmosphere to relax and take on board the subject.

Early up first day as still had my safe adult online training to do, then cooked breakfast for 15 whilst half of them left at 7am for a 5 mile walk to the keyside and back……..they looked knackered as not exactly a flat walk…I would have never made it, much more important I look after the food.

So after the four days of coaching, a long evening drive home (4hrs) and back to work Friday 8am….dedicated.

Roaring fire to warm up

Library

A busy practice is a healthy one, giving us the confidence to plan and invest through the recession. We have more to do to make the Practice even better, all planned for the Xmas and New Year season.

The original plan was to hang one of the new Doug Hydes in the stairwell but after much planning, decided it would be a suicide mission with me in a heap at the bottom with broken legs. Final decision was to place them on the conservatory windowsill, much safer.

Technically, it is a powerful light source that can gently remove soft tissue, but it is also a “healer”. It can be used to alleviate pain in jaw joints, heal extraction sockets and wound sites much faster than normal, enabling us to get even better results with advanced gum disease cases. I tried it out on a nasty cut to my finger……healed in just 7 days.

After the recent upheaval with the small extension and internal building work, the thought of going through it all again for a bigger space did not thrill me. So, decided to buy an outside office….or glorified shed. It is being installed in January by Green Retreats and will be the new office for the management side of the business and a good meeting room for training.

It comes double glazed and insulated, phone, electric and PC points ready to be connected to the house. Best bit….no planning needed and up in four days. So, hopefully, the Practice will not look quite so full of people next year.

Struggled on the drive up, having to stop a couple of times for coffee, then showed myself up by passing out within 10 minutes of the start and awoke with my head on the shoulder of the lady to my right. How embarrassing? Spent the next couple of hours nodding off and then being convinced the speakers were looking directly at me. The afternoon fared no better, when I was woken by the chap behind me poking me in the back…..apparently I had started to snore…..total shame.

By the time I had got home, I was truly the most tired I have ever been……and slept very well.