I did my first peopling of 2026. It was a bit full on. It was also a little repetitive. Not sure how many times I said ‘Happy New Year’ or asked how people’s Christmases were. Let’s just go with lots!

The general conscious was ‘fairly quiet’. So many people said they hadn’t been feeling it this year.

It was an early start so I left plenty of time to de-ice the Upgrade (there wasn’t any) and navigate the back to work traffic (not much of that either) so I arrived early. I did get to see the most amazing moon. It was huge! Looked more like a sunset that the moon going down.

There was a proper Winter golden hue to it too. The same was true when I got to the yard. The trees looked like they were being lit up by golden spotlights. If it wasn’t so cold, you could be fooled into thinking it wasn’t Winter. The biting wind (and the 50 layers) reminded me for sure.

We’ve had the most amazing sunsets here so far in 2026. It fair takes your breath away. The wind has been doing that too…

So my word for 2026 is zeal. Not as in zealot or a negative way, but as in enthusiasm and excitement. Can’t say that I was feeling either of those things this morning. I went to bed early and clearly slept really heavily as I didn’t hear any fireworks at midnight. I woke up feeling rather groggy (and I didn’t have a single drink last night).

Bert clearly got the memo as he was very enthusiastic about 2026. The biting wind cleared my head. Who needs cold plunges when you can stand in a big field in the cold?! Is it any wonder us country folk are pretty resilient.

I de-Christmased the house. Yes, I went up a ladder to take the lights down (and got them back in the box). I also did the ‘Christmas Tree’ waddle putting it back to the garage. My lounge looks huge now! Funny how you get used to the tree being there. I miss the twinkly lights.

As I hoovered the needles up, I thought about the things I have planned for 2026 already. I’ve two holidays booked in Q1. I’ve booked us in to two training camps. And we’ve qualified for a BRC Championship in May.

I’m sure there will be many more adventures to be had too. Bert is clearly conserving his energy. I mean you wouldn’t want to peak on day one…

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time for my annual review. Every year I pick a word for the year. This year my word was wonderment and boy has it been full of wonder. With hindsight, it should have been journey as I’ve had a few of them!

It’s been my first full year with Bert. That’s been quite the journey so far. We went to puppy school and learnt so much. There have also been lots of frustrating moments as he grows up. He remains my Baby Sprocker and I adore him (even when he’s driving me bonkers). He was a very good decision.

I said my final goodbye to my Mum as we scattered her ashes and learned to live without her. Grief is a very odd thing for sure. Lots of tears have been shed on that journey.

I said goodbye to the Comedy Car and got the Upgrade. He’s done a few miles with me already. I welcomed Toby Truck and put the Buddymobile up for sale (he’s still available, just saying).

Our first major outing in Toby was to Hickstead. Just a short journey then! It wasn’t just Buddy who did long journeys. Bert and I went to Badminton and Scone. He’s very well travelled already.

I visited Bath for the first time and started more training. Meeting more like-minded people. And found out I’m quite a good shot!

Buddy, Bert and I headed to numerous camps, competitions and clinics. Buddy travels like a dream in Toby. Bert is the perfect lorry dog. I just love Toby. He was a very good decision too.

I’ve spent time with the people I love who bring such joy to my life. I’ve made new friends. I’ve seen some friendships fade. That’s OK, not everyone is meant to finish the journey with you. I’m grateful to those who’ve scrapped me off the floor, let me sob on their shoulders, who’ve made me feel seen and heard, who’ve helped me with Bert and who’ve shared this year with me.

Thank you one and all.

Finally, 2025 is the year I became a published author. Another wonderful journey. And one I am incredibly proud of.

So here’s to a new year. My word for 2026 is zeal. Let’s see what happens next…

Talk about cuteness overload! Anyone else’s dog use their feet as a pillow?! He loves my fluffy boot socks. Shows how he’s growing up as it wasn’t that long ago he was running round the house with my socks. OK that still happens, but not as often as it used to. I think we call that progress!

Today marks 21 years since my brother took his life. Some years are harder than others. Today my niece announced that she’s having a little girl. I’ve always been a great Aunt, but now I am going to be a Great-Aunt for the second time. My Mum would have been thrilled. Not sure how my Brother would have felt about being a Grandfather. It’s sad he didn’t get the chance to meet his Grandson and now his Granddaughter.

I guess some questions will never be answered. Over the years, I have accepted I will never get the answers I wanted in the beginning. I made peace with what happened. Tonight I raise a glass to him and hope the feeling will come back in my feet. As cute as he is, Bert is rather heavy.

I spotted snowdrops today. Not sure whether to be excited or concerned. It feels too early for snowdrops.

At the same time, it’s heart warming to see nature waking up. Just in time for a reported cold snap.

I love snowdrops or Galanthus to give them their posh name. They’re such cheery little flowers. Did you know their name comes from the Greek for milk and flower? Makes sense huh?! Not sure where snowdrops comes from. The shape I guess. There little darlings were in the churchyard not far from my house.

I was not calling Bert a little darling after he decided to take a dip in the stream nearby. He came out covered in pond weed and stinking. He was very unimpressed with a cold-hose off when we got back. Even though I dried him off, he decided that my carpet and the sofa throws were perfect for drying himself. He was having a blast bouncing around. Guess that was his payback for the cold shower. Doesn’t he know cold plunges are all the rage…

I fell down a bit of a Disney+ rabbit hole and found this movie this afternoon. I do struggle with streaming sites as I tend to scroll for an exorbitant amount of time before finding something to watch.

Having said that, this wasn’t bad. The Nutcracker is my favourite ballet. I love the inventiveness of it. And perfect for a Christmas afternoon thawing out on the sofa. My goodness the wind has some bite to it today.

I’d love to say Bert enjoyed it too, but he snored his way through the entire film. I’m pretty sure there are people out there who would have done the same at the ballet. It seems the Baby Sprocker isn’t a culture culture.

OK so when I did my Christmas food shop, I might have accidentally bought myself a new cheeseboard. Not that I have ever actually owned a cheeseboard before. This one was just too cute to pass up.

I love Marmite. So I pretty much love anything with Marmite in it. I spotted the Marmite cheese set and thought why not?!

I feel rather grown up having a cheeseboard. I’m pretty full of cheese and crackers now. Eyes bigger than once more…

As another Christmas Day comes to an end, I’m sat reflecting on stuff. December isn’t my favourite month for many reasons. Christmas can be a weird time for me. And so many.

This year, I felt the need for a chilled one. It’s been another busy year. I wasn’t feeling rushing about. I got to spend time with all of my boys. But I felt like a ‘proper parent’ today.

Buddy was busy stuffing his face. Bert took himself to bed at 3pm as he’d gotten over-stimulated. Hugo and Dodo had a fight. Dodo and Bert had a spat. None of them wanted to pose for their Christmas photos.

I sat on the sofa with all of my animals in different locations. It made me laugh.

Bert, Hugo and Dodo did come for cuddles. I had lots of lovely food. It may not have been chilled all the time, but it was lovely nonetheless.

Whatever you got up to, I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas Day.

They’re helping, honest they are. Funny how they both needed to come and check their own poo. They made me laugh as they sniffed it. Grateful that they didn’t knock the wheelbarrow over.

Buddy is enjoying his Christmas holiday. I am too. Even if there are lots of things that need doing though. After maid duty, I braved the supermarket to get the last few bits. The panic was palpable in there. It wasn’t as busy as it could have been, but still got bashed by a few trolleys.

I ended up with another eclectic collection of bits. But that’s me done! I came home, made soup, watched The Greatest Showman, watched Strongman and ate my body weight in finger food. It seems Bert is a big fan of filo prawns too.

Let the Christmas food coma and hibernation begin… From my house to yours, Merry Christmas everyone.

Well that’s my Christmas dinner sorted! Judging by the size of it, it might be enough for Boxing Day too. I’ve got a lot of vegetables to go with it.

I’ve been trying to go to farm shops more and buy local where possible. It’s been fun exploring and seeing what I can find.

I was out and about delivering presents and catching up with friends today, so popped into Goodies on the way back. My basket was rather eclectic. I hit the deli counter and came out with four different types of UK cheese. I even found some Camembert crisps. Admittedly they were from France.

I was feeling rather pleased with myself till I discovered my salad leaves were from Italy. Best laid plans huh?!

I also stopped at M&S so have lots of goodies from there too. One things for sure, I won’t go hungry…