Just to carry on with this thread. My OG was 1.053 (the expected OG indicated in the recipe was 1.050 and the expected FG was 1.012) The airlock has stopped bubbling and I took a sample gravity reading which is at 1.015. (all readings temp adjusted). Will leave it for a couple of days and take another reading. Thank you all for the warm welcome and helpful advice. On another note: the pooch in the pic is Spud. We rescued him a year ago. He was born at the rescue shelter and lived there for 3 years. Hard to believe that no-one else wanted him...he is such an awesome doggo. We have 3 other dogs and all my beers bear their names. The beer we are discussing in this thread is called Jess' Rye Eye. Cheers all!