Ozzy – our Ladyboy Rabbit

A funny thing happened this morning. After Lily got a 12 week old female rabbit called Daisy for her birthday in September, our three year old Rabbit to a great interest in climbing on her back – immediately – as rabbits do (all rabbits, it seems). Time came for a slightly pricey but inevitable castration if our two big eared chums were going to be room mates.

On taking Ozzy to the vets this morning for the big op, I was given the wonderful – if a little surprising – news that Ozzy, is in fact a lady rabbit. It’s going to take some getting used to, but we’re £45 better off. (The vet reckoned the immediate ‘mounting’ habit was acommon sign of dominance amongst female rabbits). I wish my face could have been caught on film. Dying to see Lily’s reaction later.

Three Peaks Cyclocross 2009

Well that was lots of fun and very satisfying. I’ve ridden every three peaks cyclocross now since 1995 and apart from a broken seatpost in 1999 about 3 miles into the race, I’ve completed them all.

But today was the sweetest for me. The last three events have been exceptionally good to me with not many issues on the gruelling 37 mile race, but today in particular was my smoothest ever 3 peaks race. No crashes, no cramps, no mechanicals, and only one puncture that was only three minutes from my support crew at Ribblehead and a welcome bike change. (more…)

Lily’s seventh birthday

Lily turned 7 yesterday and we celebrated with a smallish but perfectly formed family and friends gathering.

Lily’s ‘main’ present was another bunny rabbit called Daisy, 12 weeks old, who was greeted by Lily’s male rabbit Ozzy in a VERY enthusiastic way. They’re being kept apart for a short while until he’s been to the vets! (more…)

Summer Holiday in Wales – Ogwen Bank

A third family holiday this year for us Haygarths in the UK – the ‘Staycation’ (or ‘Holistay’ – a more ‘English’ version of the new term I prefer) has really come of age. We booked a ‘log cabin’ (or really more a pine lodge – not as romantic sounding) in Ogwen Bank – just on the Snowdonia National Park boundary a few weeks ago, and had a great stay there last week.
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Gisburn Forest Mountinbike Trails… now with added fun.

I managed to finally get to ride most of the best bits (I think) of the new MTB trails at Gisburn Forest last night. I must say I was impressed. I’d be primed / appetite whetted by a combination of Matthew, some photos by Andy Rushforth, and a blog post by Dave Powell.

I headed up last night because I decided to take a mental break from racing for a couple of weeks. Thursday night’s Preston crit night so I wanted to ‘do something’ other than racing. On a nice clear, calm evening, Gisburn made sense. (more…)