It's a Guide Dogs Life!

Rock on the rocks

2009-02-12T10:09:00.002Z

There will be a fund raising night in aid of Guide Dogs on the 21st of Feb at "On the Rocks" in Newquay.

Organised by Catriona and her guide dog Ike, although I think Cat has done a bit more towards it than Ike has.
It will be an open mike music and entertainment night with prizes donated by the generous local businesses etc and performances from anyone wishing to turn up and play. For my sins, I will be attempting to take control of the DJ decks and provide the musical interludes between the fundraising and live acts, but dont let that put you off!

From around 8pm, it would be great to see everyone there.

Discover blind shooting!

2009-02-12T10:05:00.002Z

Here we have a recent article that I wrote for our local charity, Disability Cornwall and their "Discover" magazine...

Blind and visually impaired shooters using rifles? Not the most sensible combination you may think! However at CABS (Cornwall Association Blind Shooting) that is exactly what happens.

Based at Helston and District Rifle Club, they meet every Wednesday afternoon between 2 and 4pm and have gone from strength to strength since forming in 2001. Open to anybody with a visual impairment it provides an invaluable opportunity to take part in a sport usually the domain of sighted individuals.

British Blind Sport and the National Small-Bore Rifle association have helped to increase awareness and run National postal competitions that club members participate in throughout the year. This keeps the CABS members on their toes and provides a constant challenge for those wanting to see how they compare with others. Once a year members have the chance to travel to Wolverhampton for the British Open, where shooters get to compete shoulder to shoulder against the best in the country. Locally though, the club provides its own internal competitions and often invites other groups to attend for friendly events. Most recently the Police Equality and Diversity team put up a good set of scores and had a chance to see just how much of a hindrance sight could be when trying to use the specialist equipment.

To the casual observer the sight, which is designed for use on an air rifle at a range of 10m looks like a conventional telescope sight. However, that is where the similarity ends. The sight is designed to collect and measure the level of light reflected from the
target. The centre of the target is brilliant white and then moving outwards from the centre
it is increasingly darker. The closer to the centre of the target you are aiming the greater
the level of light reflected and hence the higher the frequency of sound which is heard by the shooter via a pair of headphones.

There are two disciplines, one is shooting supported where the weight of the rifle is taken by a sprung stand and is ideal for those with physical impairments or weaker participants. Unsupported is a much tougher discipline and requires the shooter to hold the rifle on target whilst standing upright bearing the weight through the body, much the same as sighted shooters.

CABS is keen to hear from new members, groups wishing to attend for a friendly shoot and also anyone wishing to join the highly valued group of volunteers at the club.

Write on!

2008-03-23T21:55:00.002Z

Well, eventually here we have the finished article that Kez wrote about me last year. Very good job I reckon for a young student, apart from one thing... It makes mention of my drinking a shandy, a vicious slur on my character... enjoy...

It’s not all dark glasses and white stick tapping

Stuart sips a lager shandy as his dog, Brett, gratefully flops onto the pub’s garishly chequered carpet. Since meeting 12 weeks ago the pair have spent every waking minute together, and have built up a vital relationship.
“You get looked at differently when using a cane or using a guide dog. With a cane people try and keep out of your way, they think you’ve got some kind of disease. But when you’re with the dog, people stop and make a fuss,” says Stuart.

95 per cent of people with sight problems in the UK are 65 or over, so at the age of 32, Stuart is unusually young to have lost his sight. He had glaucoma for 15 years, the raising of eye pressure from liquid in the eye, crushing the optic nerves. He lost the sight in his left eye 10 years ago but had some sight in his right eye so was still able to do most things.
Stuart had an operation at world-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. A high powered laser was rested on top of his eye ball which would essentially burn to the back of the eye which is where the fluid is coming out of. A side effect of the operation was that it damaged the cornea in his eye and left him blind.
“I’ve got no sight in the left eye at all, in my right I can see lights and big blocks of colour, it’s like being trapped in a fog,” he describes.
Stuart feels he is a unique case, because finally losing his eyesight turned out to be the best thing to happen to him.
“After 15 years of it going and going, to wake up the morning after the operation and have it gone was a relief, because I knew where I stood then,” explains Stuart.

Stuart is one of two million blind people in the United Kingdom. Contrary to the stigma he doesn’t spend his days bumping into lampposts or sitting in a darkened room, eating microwave meals.
“It can be isolating if you haven’t got anybody to see or do, but I made a point of saying to my friends not to treat me any differently, they don’t think about it anymore. I’m the same person I was before,” he says.

Stuart continues to dream like a sighted person, “I don’t have a dog and I don’t have my cane, I can visualise things, it’s quite strange to have sighted dreams, but then if you’re blind from birth I don’t know if you get that.” Having had sight he says, “When I go shopping and someone picks up a shirt they can describe it to me, I get a picture in my mind, but if you’ve never really known what colour looks like I don’t know how you can describe to someone what a colour actually is, so I’m quite lucky.”

Stuart volunteers for the Cornwall Blind Association, and works for their advocacy service, which helps people with sight loss secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain the services they need. Stuart used a cane for two years with a roller tip where changes of gradient on the pavement and bumps are picked up by rolling the tip from side to side. It is a very time consuming way of walking, the cane has to be swept in front of every step taken.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was set up in 1931 to give blind and partially sighted people greater independence. After being matched with a suitable guide dog the visually impaired owner and dog spend up to four weeks of intensive training together until they qualify together. The owner proudly hands over a token 50p for their dog and the guide dog is awarded a white harness.
Stuart’s guide dog Brett has an imperative role in helping Stuart keep the independent lifestyle that he is used to. Stuart enjoys comedy stand-ups and is in the process of writing his own sets and searching for a willing audience. He is also a member of a shooting club and takes part in national shooting competitions, using pitch changes to signify where the target is. Everywhere Stuart goes, Brett, goes too.
Stuart is taking computer classes and is six weeks into learning Braille, “If you can imagine sic dots on a domino, Braille is made up of those but just in different proportions, you have to relearn the alphabet,” he describes. Talking software on computers and mobile phones means that Braille is not depended on as much as it used to be. “Gadgets and gizmos are very important to me, I can voice record peoples names and addresses on my mobile phone, its an organiser and has built in personal satellite-navigation,” explains Stuart.
Stuart owns his own house and is extremely self-sufficient. He planned ahead while he was going blind, doings things like putting dials on his washing machine so he can feel the different settings. Stuart’s wide screen television remains in his lounge and his dark eyebrows rise as he jokes how its only use now, is that it heats up the room.
He goes on to describe how while out for lunch with friends he managed to spear himself in the eye with an asparagus stick. Being blind is a portion of Stuart’s character, but it’s not what defines him, its humour and banter that make up the most part of his personality.

K. Clark 2007

Shooting Starse

2008-03-15T15:28:00.000Z

Deep breaths, the feel of rapid heartbeat, the increase of adrenaline flowing through the body, preparing for the fight or flight instinct to kick in... and fight it was...

My second trip up to Wolverhampton for the British Blind Open shooting championships was more of a struggle this year. Standing on the range with the above emotions hitting home, I realised that I had set myself a high standard to beat last year. 587 out of a possible 600 points was going to be hard to beat. As it turned out I scored 579 this year, although I am pretty happy with the result as it was only my 3rd week of using my new rifle, and as such had not customized it to my liking yet.
Tony and Joe, fellow shooters from the club at Helston also made the trip up with us, Tony geting a personal best score. My score placed me at second in class B, the class I won last year.
This year however, I joined Joe in shooting in the unsupported discipline, something that requires great concentration and stamina to hold a rifle at shoulder height and to within a few millimetres of movement. 60 shots over 30 targets in the space of an hour and 45 mins. Again with the new rifle and never having competed in unsupported in competition before, I realised a score of 546 which put me at 3rd overall in the unsupported category which bodes well for next year. At least there is some silverwear on its way back home!

Blind drunk in charge of a weapon, yeah!

Bounty hunters R us

2008-03-01T22:33:00.002Z

Amy and me at my bday do.

2008-03-01T22:21:00.003Z

Less impressive when its not erect admittidily.

Proudly exhibiting my lengthy weapon.

Who you gonna call!? Ghostbu... err, the hospital actually.

2008-01-01T23:24:00.000Z

Happy New Year to the millions of comitted readers, umm, I mean reader.
New Year this year was seen in at Tim and Veritys, although neither of the hosts were present at midnight. Photos of us in fancy dress can be seen below. Tim, one of our ghostbusting team decided that fainting and hitting the floor out cold would be much more entertaining for the night, splitting his chin open and having to be taken to A and E just to top it off! Luckily Wonder Woman, aka Jo Hill, our friend the paramedic swept into action cape flowing to patch up his wounds. Although it transpires that Wonder Woman isn't a wonder driver, escorting the hosts to hospital, although sober, she took out a section of wall in their driveway.
Left with a slightly subdued house, we all ate drank and was as merry as we could be. Especially Amber, whilst chatting to me in the hallway late on in the night, she proceeded to admit just how drunk she was, finishing with the killer line "I'm so pissed, it's a good job this radiator is here to keep me up". As if the New Year gods of comedy timing were watching, at that precise moment they deemed it right and proper for the fixings on the radiator to come off and send her tumbling forward. So, a slightly bizarre, but entertaining night none the less!

New Year Pictures

2008-01-01T15:23:00.000Z

I aint afraid of no ghost! Just bad grammer like that sentance.

Who you gonna call? Probably someone else...

Curtis and Jude ate all the pies.

Jo, the (super) hero of the day!

Jimbob plays that funky music.

2007-12-14T15:34:00.000Z

Just a quick note to the 2 crazy, but equally lovely ladies we met in PC World this afternoon. It occurred to me shortly after that you would be ideal in providing refreshments and catering for a joint Birthday bash at Skinners in Truro if you would be interested. It might solve a few probs my end! If you would like to leave your details or email them to me I would be much appreciated. Cheers, not that you probably ended up looking at this rubbish site anyways, maybe you got something out of it if you did manage to make it...

2007-12-01T13:18:00.000Z

This afternoon Brett and I will be out collecting at Tesco Redruth on behalf of Guide Dogs, despite the rubbish weather hopefully there should be peeps out stocking up for Crimbo.
If you are one of the lucky people we bumped into today and ended up here, sorry for the lack of recent updates. Feel free however to leave a comment here, sign the guest book or give a donation via the links on this page. If you have further questions on what guide dogs do or want to just get in touch with me for any other reason then we will be glad to hear from you, do drop us an email. Thanks for your support.

Wake up call

2007-10-19T17:44:00.000+01:00

Bark, woof! Bretts barking and general bouncing about obviously woke me up at around 4.30 in the morning. Telling him to calm down as there was nothing to get wound up about soon proved to be inaccurate. Someone was trying my front door handle and giving it a good shove with the obvious intention of getting in, luckily it was locked. So up I jump and stride out of the bedroom and make for the door. Dog on one hand shouting what the F is going on out here! I'm sure it would have been more threatening if I wasn't just wearing a wife-beater vest and nothing else!
Outside the front door I had a jolly conversation through the door with the worlds most inebriated man. He was insistant that he had left his stuff inside and would take no ammount of persuading that this wasn't the house he was looking for. I contemplated using Jedi mind skills, but to be honest even Obi Wan would have had a hard job. After politely, and then impolitely asking him to go I threatened to set the dog on him, probably a hollow threat considering my semi nakedness and the softest guide dog ever. In the end it resulted in a call to the police, by which point (25mins) he had staggered off. The police were helpful enough once they actually arrived, but considering that I was both behind a door, and am blind, being asked if I could describe him was a little strange!

Track of the day = Wham - Wake me up before you go, go

The Blind and The Bill Battle for the Bull

2007-10-03T17:43:00.000+01:00

This afternoons regular shooting practice was livened up by a little friendly competition between our club and the Police. Representatives from the Police diversity team visited us at the club, among whom were ex firearms officers hoping to put their years of experience to use. After a little intimidation and trash talking from us regulars the event got under way.
Blindfolds were used for the Police, not that sight would have helped them, the rifles used at the club are adapted to use sound to indicate when you are on target. Having no optical scope to look down means the only way to get on the centre of the target is to listen to the subtle pitch changes in your headphones based on the amount of light reflected off the black and white targets. Scoring was out of 100 points per shooter, based on 2 targets with 5 shots on each with a max 10 points per shot. Give them their due, the guys from the Police did really well considering the lack of practice, they were turning in scores in the high 80s and early 90s. Our guys were on the ball however with our best shots returning consistent 90 plus scores. We all got the chance to have 3 goes each and for my first 2 attempts I got 97 and 96, My 3rd go was after we had stuffed ourselves with food and cake. This must have done the trick as I laid to rest any doubts as to who was going to win with my score of a maximum 100. The smackdown had been well and truely served, with an overall win of 34 points to our club over the Feds.

Track of the day = Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory

Food, Friends, Family and, errrm, Bowling

2007-09-30T10:08:00.000+01:00

Scott and Jo kindly offered to cook a roast for the usual rabble this afternoon. I tried to restrict myself to just a small portion as there would be another slap up meal in the evening for mums birthday. Unfortunately it was a bit too nice, and I ended up eating more than I should have including the so called caramelize carrots, for caramelized insert scorched. It was a bit of a stretch to expect Brett not to pine after the food, and with baby Amber extending her hand to feed him the poor thing must have gone insane. Amber and Brett seem to be good friends now, with B looking for attention all the time, and A giving him kisses and rolling on the floor with him. Having refrained from the intake of wine I very nearly fell asleep on the sofa afterwards whilst the others drank and chatted away.
We were taken straight from there to Truro by the folks early in the evening, along with Nat, Amy and Dan for the meal in the evening. So B had to spend another hour or so under a table whilst I stuffed my face. He had a bit of fun afterwards though when we finished up with a game of bowling.
This was the first time I had attempted bowling since losing my sight. Of course I went in all cocky saying that there wouldn't be any difference to my obviously amazing ball hurling skills. However I was soon proven wrong when my first 6 or 7 balls ended up in the gutter. I think I found some sort of technique by the end of the 2 games, but I may be deluded, scoring a total of around 20 points in total. For some reason B got very distressed when I went up to take my go, despite being only a few feet away he would whine and get really excited when I went back to him. Maybe with all the noise he thought I might be hurt. I think that mum enjoyed her birthday night out, and I particularly enjoyed working B at breakneck speed back to the car through the deserted streets of Truro

Slacker Moi?

2007-09-22T00:07:00.000+01:00

Yes, this is indeed a new post from me! I thought it about time that I actually updated this thing. If I do it daily then my shrunken brain might get into the habit. So here we go, I have finally pulled my metaphorical finger out of wherever it was metaphorically stuck. I may even fill in some of the yawning chasm left by the lack of posts in the last few months.

All fired up with a burning desire to help

2007-09-20T11:13:00.000+01:00

Please no jokes about men in uniform or hosepipes, for a change this evening was actually something serious that I was involved in. County Fire Brigade had asked for my input as a visually impaired person to help give some feedback on how the service could be improved. With representatives from a broad spectrum of disabilities we met at Cornwal College along with staff from stations throughout the county, and yes there was food provided, yay!
Unlike some of these consultation events, there was a genuine interest in the expectations and needs of the vulnerable and those with disabilities in the community. Myths were dispelled on both sides and with a short presentation from each disabled person, I hope the Fire Service now understand more about the extra danger for us.
Both enjoyable and informative, I hope to be involved with more of the workshops in future as their plans move forward.

Warming up the House.

2007-09-08T22:15:00.000+01:00

We rocked up at Tim and Verity's place this evening for their bungalow warming shindig. I very kindly offered my services as DJ for the night, well, actually I didn't give them a choice in the matter! Armed with a set of CD mixers and a poly of fresh Skinners ale there was no stopping me. You can check out the setlist below.
Brett had a great time playing with the children there, and eyeing up the food spread out in the kitchen. As we were set up in the kitchen this was a big temptation, but he eventually settled down at my feet. However he was soon to be woken by Jo launching herself over him and head first toward the fridge freezer, alcohol and sleeping dogs don't mix. We left late and were the last to leave, but we ensured that the house was well and truely warmed.

Track of the day = Star Wars vs. Chemical Brothers - Galvanize the Empire

Housewarming DJ setlist.

2007-09-08T21:14:00.000+01:00

01 20th Century Fox Fanfare intro
02 Star Wars vs. Chemical Brothers -Galvanize the Empire
03 Sugababes- Push The Button
04 Mutya Buena - Song 4 Mutya [Out Of Control] With Groove Armada
05 Basement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At
06 Justice vs Simian - Never Be Alone
07 Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You
08 flat pack - sweet child of mine original mix
09 robyn - with every heartbeat
10 Snow Patrol - You're All I Have
11 Killers - Mr. Brightside
12 Blur vs. Madison Avenue - Don't Call Me Song 2
13 take that - shine
14 Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
15 timbaland-give it to me (feat. nelly furtado and justin timberlake)
16 nelly furtado-promiscuous (feat timbaland)
17 Fergie Vs Madonna - Glamorous Girl
18 Amy Winehouse -Rehab (Desert Eagle Mix)
19 razorlight-in the morning
20 Kaiser chiefs - ruby
21 Mark Ronson Ft. Lily Allen - Oh My God
22 Lily Allen - Smile
23 Kate Nash - Foundations
24 Girls Aloud - Biology
25 The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
26 Green Day vs. Oasis - Blvd Of Broken Songs
27 foo fighters - the pretender
28 lostprophets - rooftop s(a liberation broadcast)
29 linkin Park- What I've Done
30 feeder-buck rogers
31 Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone
32 Michael Jackson vs Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Thriller Girl
33 Elton John vs The Fresh Prince - I'm still standing in Bel Air
34 Maroon 5 - This Love
35 Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'
36 Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
37 Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup
38 Van Morrison - brown eyed girl
39 Monty Python's Flying Circus - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
40 plain White T's- Hey There Delilah
41 Nizlopi - JCB song
42 Sigur Ros - hoppipolla

BBQ'd to a crisp.

2007-08-26T23:06:00.000+01:00

Waking up with a hangover this morning was probably an indicator that I should refrain from drinkage for a while, the events that followed just served to reinforce this point!
Attending a bbq hosted by Rachael and Steve in the afternoon I put off drinking the quality Cornish ales til after I had some food. Persuaded to partake of the hairy dog to cure my hangover by my so called friends was just the start. The first 2 bottles were forced down whilst Brett stretched out in the garden waiting for baby Amber to wave food infront of his nose. The 3rd and 4th went down alot easier though! After a battle of wills over an entire chicken drumstick that B managed to get hold of and clamp down on, we took off.
After a quick change at home it was off to the pub, earlier thoughts of a hangover now well disguised by the same thing that gave rise to its origin. It was only a brief stop though, just enough time to let Scott and Jo get an eyeful of growler from the open legs of a 'lady' with all too short hotpants on. Leaving the high calibre clientelle and karaoke behind Jo went home and Scott and I ventured towards the Twilight.
Now, the Twilight Zone is Redruths one and only nightclub, it has the obligatory sticky carpet, plastic pint glasses and smells of sweaty dog. Hence the reason why I haven't attended in over 5 years. The only reason we were going was to see up and coming local band Glass Shark perform. Mistake no1. Only in Twiglet could they announce that the support band hadn't turned up, and then for the main act to play 2 songs, make some excuse about a chest problem and then leave! Claire, Oli and Morgan who we met in there left at this point to get their money back and go home. I on the other hand badgered Scott into staying. Mistake No2. It got very messy from there on in, lots of drink,a little boogieing on the dancefloor with Brett, and an unknown woman sitting on my lap for part of the evening. Most of which I have been told by Scott as I have no recolection.
Finally leaving at closing time we try to look for a taxi, after a disagreament with said taxi driver over the nature of his over inflated fare we decided to walk, not before I fall over and crack the back of my head. As we were at the bottom of the exit from the grounds, a bloke came running up and said that he had seen what had happened and he had got a whip round and collected taxi fare for us! Sometimes it pays to have a disability! However kind the offer, we still walked back to Scotts as there was no way I was going home in my state. Waking up in a strange bed not knowing quite where I was, a cut on my head and sick at the foot of the bed is definately an indication not to have 2 full days of drinking again in future.

Track of the day = Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

Oh my god I can't believe it, I've never seen Ronson and Allen this far from home.

2007-07-18T15:03:00.000+01:00

'Stop me if you've heard this one before', but it's nice to 'Smile' at the 'Littlest Things', like Mark Ronson and Lily Allen playing at the Eden Project!
My sis and I were privilaged again to have free tickets to one of this years Eden Sessions gigs. The Lovely, wonderful, beautiful, kind, generous (I do hope they are reading for next year) people at the Sensory Trust gave us some tickets to assess the arrangements. It was Bretts first gig and he seemed to like it, sometimes wagging in time to the music. Luckily the weather held out and it was a pleasant evening all round. Much better than the reports on the previous nights gig with Amy Winehouse. Living up to her surname she turned in a shambollock performance, shouting at her stage hands, pissed up swaggering and at one point hitting herself on the head repeatedly with the mic. Ronson and Allen were a much more polished affair, with some pleasing trademark horniness. The evening flew by, possibly helped by the intake of some Rattler. For those that don't know, this is the devils own arse juice, a locally made cider of some 8 percent. In fact there were quite a few Rattlered up revellers bouncing around.
Brett as usual got loads of attention being the people whore that he is, being in the family enclosure made sure he had the kids fussing over him, and at one point eyeing up a nice ladies ice cream.
We will be back at Eden next week for our look around the garden that we had an input into. And of course are looking forward to next years sessions, come on Eden planners, where are the really big acts like Scooch?

Watch the video of Oh My God here

Track of the day = Mark Ronson - Just

Back to the old school

2007-07-13T15:54:00.000+01:00

Are we sitting comfortably? This is a tale of a guide dogs visit to Penryn School to see 30 excitable children...
My old school friend Lynn is a teacher at Penryn and asked Brett and I to pay a visit to educate the kids and answer any questions they had. Didn't really know what to expect, and with Lynn telling me that the kids were excited about the visit, if slightly confused, I prepared for the worse. One of the kids asking her when the guard dog was coming didn't help much either, they were only around 5ish so anything could happen!
It actually went really well. There was the expected awwws when we entered, and they had a crowd around to have a stroke. The questions followed, and were varied to say the least. "does he go in the car?", "yes, he came with me in the car today", "How does he know where to drive you though?", "Ummmnn...".
Others asked "does he do tricks?", "how does he know the names of the shops?", Does he dig holes,run fast, eat sticks etc.". I also overheard one of the little innocents comment whilst Brett was on his back "I can see his willy". We finished off with a few demonstrations on how he works, and their favourite, the recall with the whistle. Mum took him out of the room and I said about the magic whistle, a quick blow and he came bounding in like a nutter. They loved seeing him run in and gave a little round of applause and asked to do it again, well, who are we to disapoint our adoring public!
Hopefully some of them will take away a little information about blind people and guide dogs.

In the evening we had a visit from Kelly who I hadn't seen for a few weeks. We went into town to the Hollies for a few drinks. Whilst there we bumped into Steve and his dog Buddy. Buddy and Brett were trained together and this was the first time they had properly met since leaving Exeter. When we got home Brett put himself to bed, he obviously knows he will have a late night again tomorrow for the weding!

Track of the day = Boo radleys - C'mon Kids!

Oh! Suit you sir!

2007-07-07T01:57:00.000+01:00

Today we decided to chance the weather and venture into Falmouth for the day with young Natalie as our guide. We were on the hunt for the elusive white suit that I had been looking for for months. It is like rocking horse poo trying to find a white suit in Cornwall. The only one I located before was online at Top Man. and the sizes were obviously geared up for the gayers amongst us men.
Brett worked very well in the narrow and busy streets, but Nat had to point out at one point when Brett was pulling to my left at a crossing. It turned out that there was a small child with a donut aimed at Bretts head!
My good friend Scotts dad Pete had pointed out that there were white suits in Fal, and believe it or not, we bumped into him and Arlene there!
Whilst being shown to the changing room to try on the suit, Nat waited with the dog whilst I took the arm of the giant assistant. We looked like father and toddler as I walked along on the 7' freaks arm.
Hopefully it should stand me in good stead for next weeks wedding.

Album of the day = Phil Collins - No Jacket Required

Guide Dog of the year

2007-06-16T01:35:00.000+01:00

Nominations for Guide Dog of the year are gathering pace. Despite Brett being an excelent worker and quite possibly the biggest thing to happen to me since losing my sight, I still feel that he doesn't do anything that out of the ordinary to deserve nomination.
I have been trying to convince my family to moch up a house fire or car crash to allow Brett to heroically drag me away from danger in the nick of time. This should secure him the top slot, but I can see their point in the whole false glory senario.
Without getting all sappy, It's good enough for me that he is allowing me to live my life the way I used to as much as I can. I am still just a little bitter that he gets the attention from the ladies more than I do! Check out the nominations
proceedure and last years winners below.
Guide Dog of the year nominations via BBC.

Track of the day = Foo Fighters - My Hero

Guide Dogs? Rubbish, hit me up with an MFing guide horse!

2007-06-12T00:35:00.000+01:00

For those of you tired of the run of the mill conventional boring guide dog, what you need is the new, improved guide horse. Pretty much every thing I read about this subject makes me laugh. For example this jem of a minor downside - "Guide horse users may also find difficulty in transporting a miniature horse on limited-spaced
public transportation, such as on buses or taxis."
Not being funny, but I have enough trouble getting Brett into a taxi, let alone a flipping horse, no matter how miniture. I also have come across the problem of staff coming up to me in shops and restaurants when his harness is off. They usually ask " Is this a guide dog?". I cant quite imagine a member of staff coming over and asking " excuse me sir, but I do hope that is a guide horse? Cause if you have dragged a normal horse in here I'm afraid you will have to leave."
For those of you non believers then check out the link below.
Guide horse details at Wikipedia.

Track of the day = Wonderland Avenue - White Horse

The B-boy's B-day

2007-06-09T22:45:00.000+01:00

Today is Bretts birthday, having reached the grand old age of 2! Thankfully, Brett is a dog and doesn't have a concept of his own mortality, and as such doesn't get depressed at another year passing. I hope to get another 8 or so years of work out of Brett before he retires, so its early days yet for our partnership.
I was going to get a card for him with a snazzy "I'm 2 today" badge to wear. I didn't get the chance though as we had an early start to head off to the Royal Cornwall Show. I'm sure this was treat enough, read on...

Track of the day = Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday

Royal Cornwall Show

2007-06-09T15:38:00.000+01:00

Its that time of year again,time to get sunburnt whilst enjoying everything Kernow related at the Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge. True to form I now have lovely red shoulders due to wearing a wife-beater at this years show.
My sis Amy took us up and despite an early start, we were stuck in traffic for an hour. Once I had refuelled myself with a bacon bap upon entering the showground we set off for the dog shows.
We got chatting to a couple whilst watching the Retrievers being judged who had moved to Cornwall recently. Strangely enough, they had been puppy walkers for Guide Dogs where they used to live and had walked some 15 dogs. They were now involved in fundraising locally instead. It was pretty much the hottest day so far this year, so Brett was thankful for the flask I brought with icecubes and water in.

We sought out the Guide Dog stand so Brett could catch up and have a chat to his fellow workmates. I knew a couple of the volunteers and their dogs their through previous telephone calls and emails. Tony was there with his dog Gunner and Jack was with Edgar. There were others I didn't know so well like Dorothy and her dog Holly, but the dogs all seemed to know that they were fellow Guide Dogs and had a good old sniff.
Along our travels we met up with our friend Kelly and her mum outside, surprise surprise, the Skinners ale tent. I had to refrain from drinking as I was dehydrated enough already. We didn't stop long as we decided to make a move home due to the heat. Whilst trying to find the exit we happened to wander past the exhibitions of steam engines. This was the only time that Brett made me clip other people whilst walking. This was partly due to the heat getting to him, but mostly the fact that he seemed to recognise the smells and noises of the machinery. His puppy walkers had told me that they used to take him to similar events, and he has been on traction engines as a puppy.
After finally finding the exit and reinforcing the stereotype that females cant follow a map, we headed to the car. My sisters attempts to exit the showground didn't fill me with confidence . Her quip of "I hope Brett knows where the car is cause I don't" didn't help much either. Luckily half way through the massive field filled with thousands of cars, Brett made a break off to one side. He picked up pace and I followed leaving Amy behind. After he took another turning in the somewhat baffling maze of cars, Amy said that she could now see the car. Brett the amazing dog he is went straight to it without any sort of indication from me or Amy. All this from over half a large field away!
All in all, I think Brett enjoyed his birthday day out and slept the rest of the day.

Track of the day = Girls Aloud - The Show

Royal Cornwall - pictures and video

2007-06-09T00:09:00.000+01:00

Brett checking out a fellow steam engine loving dog

Brett and Edgar

Brett and me

More to follow

Strike a Pose

2007-06-04T18:02:00.000+01:00

Picture of Rhi, Me and Kez

Today was the re-meeting (if thats a word) with Kezia. She wanted some photos of us to accompany the article she was working on from last month, or so she says. I think it is a cunning ploy to get some snaps of us without paying for our official photos from the fan club, if she thinks I am going to sign them as well she has another thing coming.
Seriously though, she brought her photography student friend Rhi along to Truro to meet us for photos. As before we had a drink and also some food in Weatherspoons, for students this is obviously the equivilent of a Michelin star restaurant.
We had a chat and were snapped whilst we waited for the food. Some more snaps were taken as we walked back to the car, this showed us in more 'natural' poses.
We were a little late in arriving as Brett was having a bad ears day. He couldn't decide on whether to wear them up, down, or one up one down. In the end he went for the traditional and formal ears down style.

Track of the day = The Beatles - Paperback writer

Rachael and Steves Wedding

2007-06-02T17:00:00.000+01:00

Today we attended the delightful wedding of friends Rachael and Steven. Brett and I shared a people carrier with Jo, Scott and his family to the Headland hotel in Newquay. We met up with our other friends Mike and Mandie and their young daughter Amber. There was the obligatory hiccup when Steve greeted us and told of the current hunt for a backup CD of the entrance music as the original didn't work. Luckily the hotel staff came to the rescue and it all kicked off without a hitch. I got to thinking about the entrance music I would have for my wedding. I know this should be the reserve of my yet to be decided on wife, but I would quite like something upbeat, a bit like a WWE wrestlers entrance music. Maybe Jay-Z's classic 99 Problems, I could time it so that my wife reaches the front just as the line "I got 99 problems but a bitch aint one" echoes out.
It was good weather, so after the lovely ceremony there were photos taken outside with the views overlooking Fistral beach. The ceremony and speeches after our sit down meal were simple, effective and heartfelt. I felt a lump in my throat during Steves speech as he declared his love for his new wife. It actually turned out to be a bit of lodged beef, not any sort of emotion.
The food was nice, a traditional roast and choc pudding, and they had Skinners ale at the bar so I was kept happy.
After the formalities we all found some comfy sofas, a pint and tried to fight the urge to fall asleep in the humid conditions.
We had a wake up walk along the cliffs and grounds of the hotel as a wake up technique. I had to drag Brett away from a little crappy yappy dog that was sat with its owners in the bar though, it would have only been a single mouthful for him given half a chance.
The evenings festivities kicked off and we all had a few more drinks whilst listening to the usual feel-good tunes spun by the rent-a-DJ. Brett tried to get some sleep, but the bow-tie I gave him was attracting attention from kids and adults alike.
A long day for us both. but an enjoyable one none the less, and we have it all to do again next month in Falmouth for Charlotte and Matts nuptuals.

Track of the day = Busted - Crashed the Wedding

Rachael and Steves Wedding - pictures and video

2007-06-02T05:44:00.000+01:00

Brett looks stunning in his designer bow-tie, whilst I seem to have fallen asleep standing up

The bride in all her glory

Mike, baby Amber and the bride

Two pics of the happy couple

Scott, Jo and Me

Brett had his own name-tag for his place at the table!

Clip of the happy couple. But enough about me and my pint of Skinners, ignore us and look at the newly weds first dance....

Volunteer Week

2007-05-31T10:57:00.000+01:00

This week is volunteers week, so I thought I would take the opportunity to thank all those people that give up their time for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I do a fair amount of volunteering myself, so I know the commitment involved. Any sort of volunteering where something is given back to the community is wonderful, but I have a special respect for those Guide Dog volunteers. Be it a simple thing like giving up a day a year to help fundraise, or the months of commitment given by puppy walkers. My thanks goes out to you all.
If you have any spare time and would like to give something back to your community then find out more below.
Timebank for volunteers.

Track of the day = The Beatles - Help!

No Deal!

2007-05-29T17:53:00.000+01:00

You know that game of skill and strategy second only to chess? Thats right, its Deal or no Deal, and some other cheeky blind git has taken my place on it.
Admittedly I was never offered a place on the show, but I did apply but never heard back. At the time I didn't have Brett so they may have chosen this bloke and his dog because of this. I'm not bitter at all, I wish the guy the best of luck... in finding the 1p!
I have been told that he has the dog in harness during the show, I don't think this is particularly fair on the dog, I guess they did this for visual purposes. I suppose that we will have to hold out for Big Brother for our foray into television, "Would Brett pleawse come to the diary room"...

Track of the day = Living in a box - Living in a box

Bretts Bum Bag

2007-05-26T22:41:00.000+01:00

If you can imagine those annoying plastic bag dispensers you get for putting fruit and veg in at your supermarket. Well, I was told by my mother when she came to pick me up this morning that a similar sight greeted her during Bretts spending. My mum deserves a medal. I'm sure when she gave birth to me she didn't expect to be pulling undigested plastic out of her blind sons guide dogs arse.
I was only in the bath for 20 or so minutes last night, but I could hear Brett doing something suspect. A short sharp call of his name resulted in him sitting outside the bathroom door for the rest of the bath. Upon leaving, a very sheepish creature was reluctant to come and make its usual fuss. I think my tutting as I put the spilt contents of the bin back in reinforced my displeasure as he sat in the doorway feeling suitably guilty.
The lounge bin has now been replaced with a Brett-proof one. After 3 months, why should he decide to rummage in the bins now? Maybe he has decided to eat plastic now instead to get down to a fashionable size zero!?

Track of the day = Salt n Pepa - Push it

Eden Projects

2007-05-24T20:48:00.000+01:00

Had a brilliant email this morning from the Sensory Trust inviting Brett and I to the Eden Project. As per last year we have free tickets to the Eden Sessions to look at accessability arrangements, this year I will be with Brett so will be a different experience. The Sessions are where music acts come and perform in an open air venue at Eden with the biomes providing a visual backdrop. Last year I saw Snow Patrol and with the lovely free tickets I watched Muse, who were outstanding. This year I had a choice of acts and in the end went for Lily Allen on the 18th July.
The Eden project have a very positive approach to disability issues, and I have also had input into their new sensory garden. Unfortunately I am unable to attend the next phase of the gardens development next month. My sis has booked tickets for the family to see weed smoking bog lurker George Michael on the same day. I hope to get a chance to have a look whilst at the Sessions. Below are some photos of the gardens progress.

Track of the day = System of a Down - BYOB

Heartlands

2007-05-23T16:55:00.000+01:00

The above picture of my mum and me is going to be used in the big bid grant application for the Heartlands Project. Lottery funding is being sought of around 20 million for the project to regenerate the area in Pool. It is an important area for the mining history of Cornwall and this will be preserved whilst creating new facilities and open areas for the public.
I have been involved in the consultations regarding acessability for the site along with others with disabilities. The picture taken at one of the meetings shows me destroing the planners scale model with my huge flappy hands. If Brett had got his paws on it I dread to think what would be left of their hard work. This did allow me to fulfill my Godzilla fantasy though.
Find out about Heartlands here.

Track of the day = Jamiroquai - Deeper Underground

Journalistic Ambition

2007-05-08T11:19:00.000+01:00

Today we met up with the lovely Kezia for an interview over a drink in Weatherspoons in Truro. Kezia is a Journalism student at Falmouth. She wanted an interview to go towards her course and hopefully with an aim of getting it into print in the local magazine. The interview took nearly an hour and covered most aspects of someone losing their sight and day to day living with sight loss. Its good to see that students are interested in aspects of disability and are not all Jeremy Kyle watching Pot Noodle addicts.
I hope to put the finished article up here when I get a copy so watch this space.

Track of the day = Linkin Park - Papercut

The Celtic Crossover

2007-05-06T08:53:00.000+01:00

Scott and Brett

James and Brett

Me and Brett in Falmouth

James and Amber have decided to leave the pastures of Wales and venture into Cornwall to stay for the weekend. These good friends of mine have yet to meet Brett, and it will be a good test for him to have others in the same house.
We killed some time in Falmouth and had a bite to eat before wondering the streets. It was Bretts first time in Falmouth and he did a good job of clearing people out of the way for our little party of travellers. There were of course the less observant, or just stubborn that didn't see him and so he did his stuff, weaving in and out of peeps. I bang into less people now than I did when I was sighted, I can only put this down to Bretts skills.
Our mutual friend Scott also came along, after a visit to Truro we went to his and Jo's place for some enjoyable bbq food. We are looking forward to a reverse visit in a few weeks.

Track of the day = Kaiser Chiefs - Oh My God

Mays Social Club

2007-05-02T11:46:00.000+01:00

Each month we have a gathering of the great and the good of the blind and visually impaired, it takes place at Tyacks in Camborne on the first Tues of the month. Its for those that want to chat about issues affecting us and general day to day gossip. We mostly have a young at heart approach and so age isn't a restriction on who attends, a love of a drink and putting the world to rights is more important.
Below are some photos of this months reprobates.

Nancy and Brian

Joe and Laura

Me and Joe

Kerry, Paul, Me, and Amy

Track of the day = Wham - Club Tropicana

Radio Gaga

2007-05-01T17:31:00.000+01:00

Picture of me and Tim

Picture of me and Rosie

International superstardom beckons for Brett. We had a very good piece on the highs and lows of blindism and guide dog ownership broadcast on local radio. We met Tim from Atlantic FM and Rosie from Skyfield Media in Truro. The interview was conducted in Costa coffee in the centre, we then did a bit whilst navigating the streets. Tim asked some questions that should be enlightening to the general public as we had coffee. what was impressive was that Costa coffee had menues in braille and large print. In Cornwall you are lucky to find such things, electricity is still a novelty in some parts. Brett was a little star struck at meeting a local radio celebrity so I did most of the talking. You can listen to the interview here.
Brett was asked the strangest question so far by a lady in Marks and Spencer. She was curious what the medalion was on his collar, he likes to wear it 80s stylee with his hairy chest. when I informed her that it was his guide dog identification she responded that she thought it was some sort of Christian symbol. I should have seen it coming, but my joking comment of `I dont think he has a religion` was met with a humourless `well, what about you?`. I was reliably informed that god loves us both, despite being an evil non believer. Do people actually adorne there pets with religious items? I wonder if the same could be said for groups such as the Ku Klux Klann,, hmm, dogs in white hoods, scary...

Track of the day = Donna Summer - On the Radio

Picture collection 1 - just Brett

2007-04-29T16:04:00.000+01:00

blind drunk

2007-04-27T18:56:00.000+01:00

being a few sheets to the wind and in charge of a guide dog isnt recommended. i wasnt drunk, just not at full concentration you see. this might have something to do with the fact that i was stood staring quizically at a set of traffic lights wondering who had dropped them into my previously light free route home. i was about to get out my whizzy new phone that has personal sat-nav built in, to locate my position, when i heard the tap of footsteps. knowing where i live, this could have been anybody from a prostitute to a, well, drunk prostitue. luckily it was a very helpfull gentleman and he helped orientate me, then proceeded to offer to walk the rest opf my route with me. i am pleased to say that i did not get mugged, he didnt try and break into my house, and i didnt have to endure yet another thing being forced into my anus against my will that day.
Brett in all this was excellent as usual, he tried his best, but when working a dog you need to instruct them which direction to take. this would be confusing for him having a drunk rambling away, he probably thought `im going to ignore this idiot and make my own way`. i have wondered what would happen if i was so drunk i couldnt walk. i could either hop on his back and ride him home rodeo fashion, he is big enough after all. or i could grab the harness and lie down and just let him drag my body along next to him, a bit like Indiana jones bouncing along behind a vehicle by his whip.
Note: neither Stuart or Brett endorse drinking, or condone the resulting actions.

Track of the day = Beck - Loser

pain in the arse

2007-04-26T16:45:00.000+01:00

forget MRSA and all the other superbugs, the most dangerous thing in hospitals is Brett. Hes so long that lying out whilst in the hospital waiting room he almost took relish in proving an obstruction to pensioners and the ill. The floors may be cleaned and polished for the express purpose of allowing guide dogs to be slid out of harms way whilst on their backs. The good news is that after having fingers, cameras and what felt like a pineapple shoved up my bum, nothing is wrong with me. Whilst being prodded, I distracted myself with the question - just what is the difference between a raisin and a currant? I still dont know...

Track of the day = Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire

Load of balls

2007-04-24T08:45:00.001+01:00

Brett, dear of him is, how shall I put this, lacking in the dangly bits area. I understand the need for this in a guide dog as the more chilled the dog the better. You don't want to be dragged across the street into the path of a car just because your dog is chasing that sexy bitch on the other side. But there is still a part of me that feels sorry for him, this is probably due to being male and having a particularly strong attachment to such things, literaly.
Even so, I don't think I would go down this route;

www.neuticles.com
proudly offer to insert prostetic testicles in your pets. They come in a variety of sizes and firmnesses, great if you want to create the dog equivilent of Jordan. I can just imagine Brett now, proudly strutting past other guide dogs flicking his head back towards his swinging melons, as if to say check these out guys.

Track of the day = AC/DC - Big Balls

Kids, what do they know?

2007-04-23T22:10:00.000+01:00

Poor old Brett. Its a good job he cant hear what is going on around him. Its amazing the ammount of un-educated kids out there when it comes to guide dogs. i suppose that some of it can be put down to living in Cornwall, which can be a fairly sheltered existence. but some of the things i hear them say is odd to say the least. Dont get me wrong, Brett is quite a big dog for his age and breed, but you dont expect to hear "Mummy, look at the big sheepdog". Sometimes they nearly get it right, like the girl who was no more than 8 walking past with her friend. She proudly said in her best know everything voice to her friend "Thats a safety dog that is". I felt like getting Brett a white hard hat and a clipboard for his newly imposed role. Sometimes you hear the parents doing their best to inform the children of what we are all about. This is usually "He's a special dog", I often wish I could tell the kids that he's so special, he can even lick his own penis...

Track of the day = Robbie and Kylie - Kids