New year, New start

Happy new year.......
Well it's here, the time of year we all dread, the post Christmas new year blues.
Been back at work since Wednesday and tomorrow is the start of the first five day week, I can't say I'm looking forward to it but we must do our bit or so they keep telling us.
As well as the first five day week it will also be the first day of the healthy eating regime!!! As I type this I am looking at two chocolate oranges and a box of maltesers which I received and still have to eat, to be fair I'd give them to the kids but there not big on chocolate and Anne is also doing the healthy bit though she started earlier this week.

As I've said I started back work this week and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time off which may sound surprising but I tend to get bored easily. All in All a good few days of with family and friends, even the kids didn't really annoy me as they were too occupied with their tablets and new games for the Wii and Xbox.
I've also started to read again as I thought it may help me to relax and sleep a bit better at night and to be honest it has done just that, bear in mind I've not picked up a book since my holiday in June, over six months ago. Currently I am totally engrossed in Zen, the Italian detective (you may remember the tv series on BBC1 from a couple of years ago). Can I add at this point that the kindle is the best thing ever invented.
We've started to walk the dog as a family as well this past few days, poor dog doesn't know what's hit her. We only take Poppy the spaniel as Jack (westie) is 14 now and when he walks any distance his legs seem to trouble him the following day so he just goes and the settee and sleeps.
Poppy on the other hand is, how can I say this politely? Brainless. As soon as you let her off the lead she will find either the nearest ditch or muddy puddle, and lets face it there's a few at the moment and lie down in it, so she comes home absolutely caked in mud then gets a shock when we wash her with cold water from the hose pipe. She the flakes out for a couple of hours but if you catch her ball or the front door goes, that's it she's up and raring to go again.

I have gone all through Christmas and new year with virtually no pain then on Thursday it hit me with a bang in my feet, luckily I seem to have brought it under control within a couple of days, that's the trouble with gout it just strikes. Friday night was a struggle to get upstairs but it has eased as the weekend has passed.

Time to set the alarm and look forward to the rabbit food.

Pete