Monday 30 September 2013

Getting to the rot of the problem: Abandoned labradors recruited by National Trust to sniff out dry rot in stately homes

  • Sam and Wilson are the only two professional rot sniffer dogs in the UK
  • They were both abandoned by previous owners
  • The labradors seek out dry rot and sit down alerting building surveyors
Two 'useless' dogs who were abandoned by their owners are now saving some of Britain's most historic homes after being hired by the National Trust to sniff out dry rot.
Labradors Sam and Wilson have been specially trained to alert surveyors to damage which is invisible to the human eye in stately homes.
The so-called 'rot hounds' have already saved conservationists hundreds of thousands of pounds by leading them to the early signs of dry rot at National Trust properties.
Wilson the dry rot sniffer dog
Specialist: Wilson goes to work sniffing out dry rot which even an experienced building surveyor such as Tim Hutton, above, may not be able to spot
Yellow labrador Sam and his black counterpart spent 12 months training for their new role after their previous owners gave them away.
Sam's former owners were fed-up with him being too boisterous while Wilson was retired as a shooting dog because he was afraid of guns.
They now sniff their way around historic houses and are trained to sit down when they detect a whiff of the fungus.
 


    The labradors are the only two professional dry rot sniffers in Britain and happily carry out their work in return for chocolate rewards.
    Sam and Wilson have been taken on by Hutton and Rostron Environmental Ltd, a Surrey-based historic building restoration firm which specialises in the environmentally friendly control of dry rot and decay.
    Managing director James Hutton said: 'The dogs enjoy their jobs. It is a game for them.
    Wilson the dry rot sniffer dog
    Sam the dry rot sniffer dog
    Star employees: Wilson, left used to be a gun dog who was scared of guns and Sam was abandoned by his previous owners for being too boisterous
    'They run in circles of decreasing size and hone into the area. Then they sit down.'
    Both dogs were given away by their owners to Blue Cross animal rescue homes where they were then adopted by Hutton and Rostron.
    Sam, seven, is based in Guilford, Surrey, and looks after properties in the south of Britain.
    His latest assignment was finding dry rot in the 300-year-old basement of 17th Century National Trust property, Wimpole Hall, near Cambridge.
    Wilson the dry rot snifferdog
    Wilson the dry rot sniffer dog
    Cheap labour: The labradors are the only two professional dry rot sniffers in Britain and happily carry out their work in return for chocolate rewards
    Collections manager, Lisa Voden-Decker, said: 'Sam's sniffing skills allowed him to sweep spaces and locate rot within concealed timber and masonry.'
    Wilson, eight, lives near Kendal, Cumbria, with surveyor Peter Monaghan, 60, and hunts rot in the north.
    Mr Monaghan said: 'A boisterous working dog is exactly what's needed for sniffing out anything, whether it's drugs, firearms or fungus.
    'You need a very focused, single-minded animal determined to find something that usually can't be seen.
    17th Century National Trust property, Wimpole Hall, near Cambridge, above
    Top job: The labradors showed their worth when they helped to survey the 17th Century National Trust property, Wimpole Hall, near Cambridge, above
    'Sam lives for the joy of working, praise from me - and the occasional doughnut.'
    Serpula lacrymans, known as dry rot, flourishes where there is moisture, and leads to decay and deterioration of timber, but can be treated if caught early.
    Hutton and Rostron have previously had Rot-dogs called into Windsor Castle, following the fire in 1992.



    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2439440/Abandoned-Labradors-recruited-National-Trust-sniff-dry-rot.html#ixzz2gPrGzzU6
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    Barking good time: Californian dogs ride the waves in annual canine SURFING competition

    • Pooches competed in fifth annual Surf City Surf Dog competition at Huntington Beach, California, today
    • Dogs could hit the waves alone, with their owner or another pup

    Give the dog a board!
    They're not known for their love of extreme sports, but these precious pooches were happy to shoot the curl at the fifth annual Surf City Surf Dog competition at Huntington Beach, California, today.
    While some of the four-legged participants needed a bit of encouragement to hit the ocean, quite a few caught a good wave and rode the surf. 
    The pups competed against dogs their own size in four weight categories, from small hounds weighing under 20lb to extra-large canines weighing in at more than 60lb.
    There was even a popular tandem category where owners could surf with their pet, or two dogs could surf together. 
    Scroll down for video
    Wipe out! This little pup tumbles off his board during the competition at Huntington Beach, California
    Wipe out! This little pup tumbles off his board during the competition at Huntington Beach, California
    The Boss: Louie, an old English Bulldog, looks unimpressed with his very uncool fluorescent life jacket
    The Boss: Louie, an old English Bulldog, looks unimpressed with his very uncool fluorescent life jacket
    Too cool to compete: Spectator Jennifer took her hairless Chihuahua 'Schmiegelle' to see the surf dogs, but was she too dolled up to get her paws wet
    Too cool to compete: Spectator Jennifer took her hairless Chihuahua 'Schmiegelle' to see the surf dogs, but was she too dolled up to get her paws wet
    Surfs pup! Surf dog Joey, a West Highland Terrier, bails on his surfboard while competing
    Surfs pup! Surf dog Joey, a West Highland Terrier, bails on his surfboard while competing
    Not sure about this...: With a life jacket on, this plucky pooch did not seem fazed by the surf crashing around him
    Not sure about this...: With a life jacket on, this plucky pooch did not seem fazed by the surf crashing around him
    Group surf: This guy rides a wave with his two almost identical pooches in California
    Group surf: This guy rides a wave with his two almost identical pooches in California
    Barking mad: This character rode a smooth wave right to the shore
    Barking mad: This character rode a smooth wave right to the shore
    SuperDog: Hanzo the dog (pictured) gets ready to surf in tandem with Kalani in his most super awesome hero outfit
    SuperDog: Hanzo the dog (pictured) gets ready to surf in tandem with Kalani in his most super awesome hero outfit
    Making a splash: Skylar, an Australian Shepherd, catches a face full of water as she rides a wave
    Making a splash: Skylar, an Australian Shepherd, catches a face full of water as she rides a wave
    His and hers: Hanzo, left, and Kalani, right, surf together in cute matching capes
    His and hers: Hanzo, left, and Kalani, right, surf together in cute matching capes
    Meet and greet: The Californian dog surf competition was a pup groupie meat market
    Meet and greet: The Californian dog surf competition was a pup groupie meat market
    Tiger mom: This overbearing owner coaches his surf dog, who is just trying to do its best
    Tiger mom: This overbearing owner coaches his surf dog, who is just trying to do its best
    Ruff rider: This cool pooch gazes out to the sea he hopes to conquer
    Ruff rider: This cool pooch gazes out to the sea he hopes to conquer
    Taste of the sea: This cute little canine spent more time underwater than on top of the board
    Taste of the sea: This cute little canine spent more time underwater than on top of the board
    Haggard: This pooch looks the worse for wear as a group gathers to watch him potentially collapse on his board
    Haggard: This pooch looks the worse for wear as a group gathers to watch him potentially collapse on his board
    Over it: Surf Dog Joey, a West Highland Terrier, yawns as he waits to compete in the Surf City surf dog competition
    Over it: Surf Dog Joey, a West Highland Terrier, yawns as he waits to compete in the Surf City surf dog competition


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2438418/Barking-good-time-Californian-dogs-ride-waves-annual-canine-SURFING-competition.html#ixzz2gPpEN859
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    Dexter finale: a betrayal of the characters we knew

    The final season was patchy, but at least the Dexter finale would be worth the wait, right? Wrong: the show fell apart
    Dexter Morgan and Hannah McKay in the Dexter finale
    Dexter Morgan and Hannah McKay in the Dexter finale. Photograph: Randy Tepper/Showtime
    SPOILER ALERT: This blog contains details about the last ever episode of Dexter.
    When it was announced that Dexter's eighth season would be its last, the news was not entirely unwelcome. The show had never fully recovered from the devastation wreaked by season four's main villain the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), and this final run has played out that inferiority, being patchy, unfocused and, at times, sloppy. Yet for all its flaws, I stuck with it, and hoped the series finale, at least, would be worth the wait. It wasn't. And I'm disappointed. It all fell apart completely in the last few minutes, with Dexter making two boneheaded, un-Dexter-like decisions that wearily knocked the final nails into the coffin that season eight built.
    Our protagonist sailed his boat, Slice of Life, into a hurricane, and was pronounced missing, presumed dead. His fugitive girlfriend Hannah choked back the tears in a cafe in Argentina and took Dexter's ever-irritating son Harrison for ice-cream, presumably to soften the blow of his daddy's watery death. But Dexter wasn't dead, after all! He swam like a greased porpoise away from a deadly hurricane and ended up in Oregon, where presumably he will live out his days chopping down trees and tending his awful beard.
    Dexter survives eight seasons of hacking and stabbing, leaving "a trail of blood and body parts," and yet viewers don't get to see him caught or killed. In fact, it was his foul-mouthed, grumpy sister Deb who died, without getting the heroine's death she deserved (though she wobbled, she was the show's moral centre). She ended up in a vegetative state, having been shot in the stomach by Oliver Saxon, Dexter's last-minute nemesis and the son of his mentor Evelyn Vogel, at the end of the penultimate episode.
    So Dexter switched off her life support and dumped her body in the ocean, where the bad people go, then sent his son to live with Hannah, who, despite seeming quite nice this season, might conceivably poison him at some point in the future.
    This whole final season has been shot through with the sense that Dexter is not as smart as he seems, and that is a betrayal of the character we spent seven seasons getting to know, as monstrous as he may have been. He made bad decisions repeatedly, negating the idea of any extraordinary intelligence, which was the one unshakeable truth that held Dexter, as a series and a character, together for so long. With a terrible beard, a boring job and a dead-eyed stare, Dexter is no longer the monster we were introduced to seven years ago.


    TOO MANY REGRETS

    "Hear my story
    And you will see
    Deep inside of me
    Don't be scared
    I don't loose my mind
    Just a bitter reality
    Take the time
    To listen to me crying
    My soul is burning
    My heart is exploding
    My blood is freezing
    Pains and chains
    Almost dead...
    Too many regrets
    I don't live
    Too many regrets now
    They hardly hurt
    Don't need your pity
    Write me a love song
    Tell me I do exist
    Sing me a prayer
    Call for the rainbow
    Because I can't find it
    I am ever wrong
    I don't want to dive
    I don’t want to hate
    But if you leave me
    I will surely die
    No fairy tales
    Just an ugly hell
    Too many regrets
    I don't live
    Too many regrets now
    They hardly hurt
    Bad memories
    They'll never go
    I know they’re still walking
    I'm not strong enough to face them
    The demons in my head
    They are burning me
    If I could just stop hating myself
    They may blow out
    I remember the day
    I became their host
    They made a ghost out of me
    Lost every part of me
    I am underground
    Too many regrets
    I don't live
    Too many regrets now
    They hardly hurt"

    "Too Many Regrets"
    By Broken Angel
    https://www.facebook.com/angedechu
    Artwork: Reise by Daniel Priego
    Life & Poetry 2013

    Sunday 29 September 2013

    Dairy and Gluten Free Berry Choc Pots


    image
    Serves 4
    Ingredients

    100g dark chocolate
    2 tbsp. runny honey
    4 eggs, separated
    A pinch of salt
    300g berries

    Method
    Melt the chocolate and 1 tbsp. of honey in a heatproof bowl, suspended over a pan of barely simmering water. Leave to cool to room temperature. Whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time until you have a thick and smooth chocolate base.
    In a separate, spotlessly clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with the salt until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Vigorously beat 1 tbsp. of the beaten egg whites in to slacken the mixture, before gently folding the remaining egg whites in with a large metal spoon. Divide the mixture between the glasses and pop them in the fridge to set for at least three hours.
    In the meantime, place the berries (top and tailed if necessary) and the remaining 1 tbsp. of honey in a saucepan over a gentle heat and stir until the fruit breaks down slightly, and you are left with a gorgeous, fruity compote. Leave to cool completely, before spooning over the set chocolate pots.
    image
    Inspired? For more gluten free recipes visit Great British Chefs collection.



    How to be Fearless.




    a collection of 37 healthy homemade salad dressings

    April 23, 2013
    By 
    lunchinthegarden-DSC_0046
    “Lunch in the Garden” Salad Dressing ~ light, creamy, low-cal and lovely ~ chock full of veggie chunks!
    garlicsesamedressing-DSC_0313
    Oven-Roasted Garlic & Sesame Dressing ~ bold, creamy, nutty & delicious with buttery, mellow garlic
    honeydijon-DSC_0017
    Honey Dijon Dressing ~ simple, yummy and zesty!
    razzvinaigrette-DSC_0293
    Kicky Raspberry Vinaigrette ~ fruity, spicy and bright
    lemvinaigrette-DSC_0019
    oven-roasted lemon vinaigrette ~ tangy, silky and peppery
    buttermilkranch-DSC_01121
     Buttermilk Ranch Icebox Dressing ~ Beautiful, Creamy and Fresh!
    thousandisland-DSC_0023
    Thousand Island ~ Creamy, Sweet & Spicy!
    greengoddess-DSC_0012
    A Well Dressed Green Goddess ~ herb-laden, onion-garlic bliss!
    lowellinndressing-DSC_0005
    Three Lowell Inn, Stillwater Salad Dressings: House French-Style, Citrus, and Tomato
    gardressing-DSC_0023
    Herb Garden Salad Dressing ~ lemony, herby, garlicy…featured in Ladies Home Journal!
    maplefrenchpressFINAL-DSC_0287_2
    French Press Vinaigrette ~ Maple, Coffee, Soy Sauce-Spicy
    napawedge-DSC_0035
    Sesame-Peanut Dressing ~ Spicy, Honey-Sweet & Peanutty!
    tapenadedress-DSC_0010
    Creamy Tapenade Salad Dressing ~ Italian Seasonings, Olives, Lemon & Tomato
    balsamiccruet-DSC_0035
    Classic French Balsamic Vinaigrette ~ red wine, Dijon & herbs
    tarragon-mayo-DSC03214
    Tarragon-Mayonnaise Dressing ~ French Herbs, Yogurt & Lemons
    cukedilldip-DSC_0034
    Greek Tzatziki ~ Baby Dill, Yogurt & Cucumbers
    peppercornranch-DSC_0261
    Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch ~ Cheesy, peppery, smoky
    NEWLEM2-DSC_0044
    Honey Lemon Poppyseed Vinaigrette ~ Sweet, Tart, Light
    bellinichicNEW-DSC_0017
    Basil Peach Bellini Sauce/Dressing ~ Sweet, Herbal, Peachy
    sundriedvin-DSC_0010
    Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette ~ Bold Tomato, Balsamic, Oregano
    FINALcarrotribbons-DSC_0044
    gin tangelo dressing ~ juniper, citrus, garlic
    provencepotato-DSC_0036
    grainy mustard dressing ~ fruity olive oil, creamy, zesty mustard
    gorgonzsalad-DSC00151
    Maple Balsamic ~ the taste of classic balsamic vinaigrette with a twist of maple
    mangocaprese-DSC06778
    Basil Vinaigrette ~ Minimalist, basil, olive oil
    brownsugbalsamic-DSC_0041
    brown sugar balsamic ~ a sweet twist on the traditional balsamic, wonderful for fruit & veggie salads!
    tomatosoupdress-DSC_0016
    Tomato Soup Blender Dressing ~ homestyle, sweet, creamy & tangy
    greeksalad-DSC_0053
    Greek Dressing ~ classic, lemony, garlicky and perfect!
    pearvinaigrette-DSC_0285
    Ginger Pear Vinaigrette ~ Ginger, Pear, Sesame
    olivegardendressing
    CAsalad-DSC_0253
    Creamy Banana Dressing ~ Unique and wonderful on fruit salad or in place of coleslaw dressing!
    fruit-salad-DSC_0490
    Polka Dot Poppyseed Dressing ~ the perfect topping for fruit salad
    caesardress-DSC_0035
    Creamy Caesar Dressing ~ creamy, garlicy, lemony
    bluecheesedressing-DSC_0063
    Creamy Blue Cheese Salad Dressing ~ your classic, creamy blue cheese with big chunks of cheese and a hint of garlic!
    creamypestodressing
    Pemberley Gardens Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing ~ all of the flavors of fresh pesto…in a creamy salad dressing!
    bbqranchdress
    Creamy BBQ Ranch Salad Dressing ~ Sweet and tangy barbecue mixed with creamy herbed buttermilk ranch!
    Enjoy!
    ~Melissa