He's back….

Hello my friends…it is I, Clapton reporting from Border Terrier HQ….as you know, we took a long break over the summer and I won't bore you with the details other than to say that we had the best holiday ever in Chicago and Nashville….but I allowed the family time away from the cameras…..

…although we must say hello to Daisy, the world's friendliest shop-keeper dog from Chicago...

….the rest of the holiday was mostly taken up with music...

…and food

…but being away from home meant that a certain someone had to be left behind…..

….on our return to the UK we received this picture from Cidermill Farm…oh dear…..it seems Miss Lola staged a protest about being bathed to get her ready to see us again …..will she ever be allowed back?…what would Marley say…?!

….she was not best pleased about being left for 2 weeks…..

….she committed "nappus interruptus" on the typist to let it be known that she was expecting a very significant increase in attention paid to her….

….we managed to buy her off for a few minutes with a chew….

….and a walk on the heath…..

…but I'm not going to pretend that her mood didn't continue through the weekend….

….she had her "walk whine" primed and ready to go…...

…but..oh dear…we walked her in the rain….

…her displeasure was palpable….

….so I rushed an emergency plan into operation…we went for a walk on Ashtead Common….but..oh crikey…the train gates were shut on the way there…HURRY UP!

…phew…she's walking…and its dry….

….best not get in her way…..terrier moving at high speed….

…a banquet of blackberries for you Miss Lola?...

no?...oh..oh…OK then….drinks instead?….

…er….that's not quite what we had in mind….

….maybe I will just keep out of the way and enjoy the sunshine….

…wait for us Miss Lola…what can you smell?…..

…I was quite surprised to find that we had been upgraded to a National Nature Reserve….there are 224 of these in the Uk and "A National Nature Reserve (NNR) is one of the finest sites in England for wildlife and/or geology. Almost all NNRs are accessible and provide great opportunities for people to experience nature"....

…I wonder if I can see my house from here….

…goodness me…I hope she isn't intending to swim in THAT!….

….one satisfied customer…I think anyway….

…in between tending to Miss Lola's many requirements typist and I have been out cycling as we prepare to ride across Europe to Amsterdam in aid of Rianna's Fund….but this is the only photographic evidence of this week's ride…vital replenishment of nutrients at the halfway point...

 ...you can read a bit more about our ride HERE…and we would like to say a massive thank you to all of the kind friends who have sponsored us…we found out last night that the team (there are 54 riders in total) will raise enough money to build a school for 400 children in Uganda….

…the children sent us a very nice message!...

….and this is our team kit…look out for us from 11 to 14 September if you live in Kent, France, Belgium or the Netherlands….Amsterdam here we come...

…Miss Lola is now more settled back at home and has reinstated the nightly Fox Watch….

…it's good to be home….

*jet lag ears*…Clapton, Border Terrier HQ….