These two live in the field opposite our house and every morning, when I’ve opened the bedroom curtains, I’ve looked out and thought ‘I’ll do a PotD of them one of these days. I’ve always been dashing around to do other stuff or the weather and therefore the light hasn’t been good enough. Some days they seem to disappear and they don’t appear to be in the field at all. I’m not sure if they’re moved about by the farmer who owns them.

Anyway, today I got up and there they were. The light was quite good and so I got kitted up with my 200mm lens that has only been out of its pouch a handful of times and took a few shots. I like this one because they feigned a total lack of interest but they were given away by the fact that both had pointed a single ear in my direction!

So, this is it. 2006. I wonder what fate holds in store for us this year.

2005 was quite possibly one of the most difficult of my life. Of course my work woes pale into insignificance when I think about the tsunami in Asia, the earthquake in Pakistan and the hurricanes that hit the USA and Central America, not to mention the bombing of London in the summer. I’m glad it’s over and that our ‘grand plan’ is now another step closer – with effect from today, I am officially only working three days a week for my company so I have two more days to support David’s business and to develop my own. I can’t believe I have managed to engineer this out of the misery of last year but somehow I did. In 2006 there will still be a huge amount of hard work but at least some of it will be for us now.

Later this week, the last building block will fall into place and after that, it’s up to us to make it work.

Today I’m reflecting on the hugeness of the steps we have taken already and planning for the future because I try to always look forward and without dwelling on looking back. We have been to our special place this afternoon and while travelling, my mind was far away, planning and thinking through ideas, while Cornwall’s rolling hills were bathed in that lovely golden light that you don’t seem to see when you’re in a city.

We’ve been on Crantock beach, with my favourite folks (DM, Rosie and Archie of course) and my favourite spirit, Tobes, who whipped up the wind for us today. The Atlantic Ocean was that amazing powdery bluey-green that is reflected from a largely clear sky with a few clouds and the white horses in the waves charged down onto the beach with vim. I love being there and so do the rest of the gang. Archie’s smile as he jumps out of the car is a joy to see in one who is normally so pensive and quiet.

I feel as if we’re the ones being watched now – watched to see if we stumble now that we’ve set ourselves up or if we can make it. I hope it’s the latter.

Last year, I was showing ambition....I hope it's not all been knocked out of me by the events of 2005 an now I don't have to link back to 2004 and 2003 because they're linked on last year's pic - hurrah!

BTW - last year's diary is here.