My hobbies consist of (in no specific order) work related learning and anything in the "afterlife", by the afterlife I mean those times when I become bored of work and either want or am required to do something else.

Boredom is something that I have never been inflicted with and I will usually hack away at something until it's (in my opinion) complete, my weakness "or is it my strength" is that I am a bit of a perfectionist, sometimes to the extent of obsession ! a typical LEO :¬)

Take for instance, my dear father asked if I could look out for a new kitchen table as his had become tatty, I suggested that I build a small worktop instead?

Three weeks later I had hand built an entire fitted kitchen with new backdoor, worktops, sink unit, floor covering and fully redecorated. All he wanted was a new table !!!, I must add that he was very pleased and really enjoys it.

So that could be one of my hobbies "DIY" ?

Of course the bikes are included as a hobby, and the required grass maintenance in the horse paddock's is great fun when you have a Quad and flail-mower to do the job with.

Running !! Yes, don't ask why but it started as a bit of fun and became a habit, for the past 2+ years I run between 1 and 2 miles every morning and have only missed a dozen or so days over that period, ok I huff & puff a bit but I find that my running either allows the mind to rest or if needed, focus on a single thing. I usually take Wook's "the girl dog" with me as she enjoys the run.

Land management and Micro Conservation (made up description by me) is another of my hobbies, we ('D' and myself) have turned over a small section of our property to a wildlife conservation area with a small pond and over 400 plantings of mixed native hedge, trees and shrubs. We also try to encourage the wildlife by arranging places of sanctuary (hollowed out hay bales, wood piles etc.), And have been rewarded with regular visits from squirrels, foxes, green & spotted woodpeckers, frogs toads & newts, pheasants, Kestrels, hedgehogs, rabbits and more rabbits, and we have a pair of Owls that visit almost every night to hunt across our ground, "did I mention that we live in heaven?".

Dogs are a great source of relaxation and ours Wooky & Chewie, are always keen to be involved in almost everything that we do (especially if it includes food!).

We were very sad to have to say our last farewell to D's horse Dreamy in June 2004 and after more than 20 + years of daily routine this has created a massive void in our lives, reaching the age 33, I believe that she was a very contented and lucky horse and a companion that will stay in our hearts for ever and will always be missed.