What is a Dog?

A very exciting moment today when I received a parcel from Rosseau in Canada.  For a few weeks now I have been following the progress of my friend Paula Banks effort to literally "Kickstart" her desire to publish a book that she had both written and illustrated.

My friendship with Paula goes way back to June 2014 when I reached out to her by writing an email after being a keen follower of her blip journal that featured not only her brilliant photography but her two beautiful golden labradors, Arwen and Soleil.  I'm delighted to say that we have been in touch ever since and many of you will remember Paula playing an active role as a member of the "Stepsisters" .  Paula mentored my climbing partner, Debbie Shiell and I while my darling CCN was our Sports Psychologist!!  Fancy a Blipper on the other side of the world taking on that role :)  I will always remember our excited phone call to Paula when Debbie and I had made it back down to "Sea Level".  

Over the past few difficult years and in particular, the last couple of months, Paula has given both Catherine and I great love and support along with incredibly wise counselling for me.  There's no wonder I'm so thrilled to see her achieve her dream of publishing her first book.  It's one I will treasure along with the other wonderful gifts that we have received over the years.   There are many reasons why I love Blipfoto, it has given me so much over the past 6 years.  Paula is definitely one of those great gifts.