I am not called the 'chocolate crusader” for nothing and it just goes to show us old dogs still have what it takes to impress even the young whelps.

The boss and I were out on a training mission (for the canine cup) in the middle of the day, when I whiffed a marsupial scent. As you know, these nipple warmers are supposed to be nocturnal. This one had a real issue with his daylight saving adjustment – a full 12 hours out of whack!
This just goes to show that we don't have to play all our games at night, running around crashing through the undergrowth.
With a sparkle in my eye and a spring in my paws, I was off after the furry thing, not to be taken in by any smart side-stepping. Unlike their slow disorientation when blinded by the spotlight, this dastardly daylight dogfodder was leaping around like a possum possessed.
The offending marsupial was cornered, braving flailing claws, and sharp incisors. Crikey, in the daylight these things fight like Bruce Lee on party pills.
However, the champion of the canine world scored in the corner, the game was as good as over at this point, as besides bits of fur stuck on the flax bushes, there was not a lot to play with.
When the boss finally got to where I was sitting smugly on my haunches, he had to admit that it was not worth blowing his whistle for full time, as really it was all over.
Now that's canines, a lot; marsupials, zero; and just shows my little cuzz Ady, that she can stick all the 'flash harry” backline manoeuvres chasing the feathered things out in the open. Leave all the forward pack grunt work to me.
Now after all this exercise, I like all sportsman, had to clean myself up for the after match function. What better place for my 'dirty lab's abs”, to be dusted of, and my rustic coat polished than at 'Dirty Dogs”, at the Palmers garden centre in Bethlehem.
Now was I spiffing or what? Ready for all the bitches I can tell you, so off we headed to my good mate Johnny the Aussie Butchers shop, to pick up a saveloy or two, and really anything else that was on offer, after all my exercise, I was not that fussy. (Really I am never that fussy.)
Johnny has a few good specials in store this week, plus all sorts of other goodies, so get in and see him, as he is one of the good guys.

'Apricot and honey roast'

Ingredients
1kg piece bolar roast
250g dried apricots
1 onion, peeled and diced
1 cup white wine
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp fresh thyme

Method
Preheat oven to 160C. Season meat with salt and pepper and brown in a frying pan with a dash of oil. Scatter dried apricots and onions in the base of a casserole dish with the wine. Sit the roast on top, spoon over honey and sprinkle with thyme. Cover and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes. Stand roast 10 minutes before carving. Serve with dried apricots and juice.

'Cranberry breeze'

Ingredients
1 ½ oz bourbon
1 ½ oz cranberry juice
½ oz lime juice
1 tsp icing sugar
1 cup ice

Method
Blend until smooth. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Alrighty my two legged friends and canine companions, take care out there and remember do it to them before they do it to you.