Another special day?

Just catching a few zzzs before we celebrate this New Ear thingy.  Not sure what it is, but I think someone called Eve may be coming around later.

Post Christmas Lull

I haven't posted for a couple of days because I've been so busy keeping all my new toys in order.  Murphy and I had loads of lovely treats, frogs that croak, ducks that quack and some squeaky biscuits to name but a few of our presents.  It's quite a job keeping an eye on them all around the house.

Yesterday my human cousin Hannah and her boyfriend Chris came to see us.  I really like them both but am quite shy and nervous around people I don't see very often.  I had quite forgotten they were here when I got up this morning, but when I came in from the garden, there they were in the kitchen so I must admit I had a little woof at them.  After Hannah and Chris left, Mum and Dad took Murphy and I for a lovely and very windy walk around the fields in our village. 

Mum is trying to get Murphy to eat his two meals a day at breakfast and dinner rather than lunch and dinner.  She says it will make her life easier when we have days out or are away in our mobile kennel next summer.  I don't mind when I have my food, it just seems ages to wait for dinner when you've eaten so early in the day.  Thank goodness for the odd mid-meal biscuit treat.

I have some sad news to relay to you - one of our goldfish has died.  Mind you, he had been swimming upside down for some weeks now, so I don't think he can have been too well for some time.

Its Christmas !!!!

It's been a very busy morning so far. I didn't remember Christmas being this exciting last year. Murphy & I got loads of new presents.. some toys to play with and lots of treats. Dad has taken us out for a walk around the village, so I'm feeling worn out already. Looking forward to some turkey for lunch later. 

Wishing all my followers a very Happy Christmas. 

As they say in the homeland...

"Gyda phob dymuniad da am Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda"

(try saying that with a hide bone in your mouth)

Mmmm.. turkey

Mum's been putting our turkey ready for Christmas and I got the wing tips!!!  They are huge, much bigger than the usual chicken ones I have on a Sunday.

Only one more sleep to go ....

I've worked it out

.....  there's only 3 sleeps to go and it will be Christmas!!!! 

I'm sooo excited because that will mean I can finally find out what's been hidden in the Christmas drawer in the spare bedroom for all these weeks.  I know there's something in there for Murphy and me 'cos I recognise the aroma of chocolate and I'm sure I heard something squeak the other day.

More good news - Dad's home and won't be going away again until January.  That sounds like he will be home for ages, so we're hoping for some great walks with him.

A great day out

We had a great day yesterday with Mum's family, even though I was a bit shy of everyone to start with.  They had a big tree with loads of presents underneath it which Murphy and I investigated thoroughly. We had a lovely dinner too - yummy roast beef and vegetables!  We brought Nana and loads of bags home with us .. some smelt really good, so I hope they were for us.

I was really tired by the time we got home and curled up on my favourite chair for a snooze, until Dad got his camera out and disturbed me.

 

Whilst I snoozed Murphy kept watch on the lounge door to check we didn't miss anything exciting like more food.

Brrrrrr

It has been really cold here today, but still no snow.  We went for a great walk around our village with Mum.  Dad usually comes with us at the weekend, but he left really early this morning to go shopping for Christmas.  He said he had been successful, but I didn't see loads of bags being brought in from his car like when Mum goes shopping.  I hope he didn't forget Murphy and me.

We are going out for the day tomorrow to see all of Mum's family.  We haven't seen our human cousins Victoria and Hannah for ages, so it will be really nice and we have lots of goodies to take for them.  There's usually something yummy for our dinner too!

Stop jumping about Fergus!

My good friend Fergus has a poorly leg at the moment and has a bit of a limp which is sometimes brought on by jumping off the sofa.  My advice, dear Fergus, is to stay put.  Sadly he can't go out to work this week because his Mum, my Aunty Debbie, is also not feeling very well, so they are both at home resting.
This is Fergus on a working day a few weeks ago.

Murphy and I hope you will both soon be feeling better and back out there earning your biscuits.

A grand day out

Today we met up with Milly and her humans Uncle Trevor and Auntie Joan for a pre-Christmas walk at Clumber.

We had a great time and posed very nicely for some photos on our favourite log, until Murphy and Milly got bored that is...

Ready

Set

Left Alone!

After our walk we met Auntie Debbie, Uncle Dave, Duggie, Fergus, Max and Dougal and whilst the humans all went for a nice lunch we had yummy turkey sausages.

Something different

So, there I was having a quiet snooze after lunch and suddenly a tree appeared in the lounge.

Murphy reminded me that this happens every year, just once and usually when it's cold outside. We've now had a very busy day getting lots of boxes from storage in the roof to put lights and stuff on the tree.  I'm sure it will look very pretty when its finished. 

Mum has also been busy today cooking some special sausages and I heard her say they are for tomorrow.  There's quite a few of them, so does that mean we are meeting up with friends for a walk and she's providing us dogs with lunch?  I hope so, 'cos they smell great!

Another photo, alas ..

...not the most flattering angle you will agree.

 That's better.

He's at it again!

May I introduce you to my brother Murphy .... otherwise known as Biscuit Thief!

Actually what he's scoffing down is our lunch.
Thank goodness Mum knows what he's like and brought loads.

Rain, Rain, Rain!

When is it going to stop so we can go out?

A bit of a wet one

Sunshine and puddles .. what else could a boy want?

Maybe some good company and a quick sit down mid way through your walk.

Mum says we look like two book-ends.

Back to Burghley

We went back to Burghley House today.

It was very busy with people doing their Christmas shopping at the craft and food fair - Mum and Dad had loads of bags.  We had a great walk in the park (avoiding the deer as much as we could) before heading back to the car for lunch and a snooze while the humans went off to do some more shopping.
Sadly, I don't think they bought anything for Murphy and me today, but I do know that there are a few interesting things hidden around the house that could be for us!

A walk with Pickle

This is Pickle with Murphy and me

She is about 5 months old and soooo friendly.  We all really enjoyed meeting her and her Mum Christina for the first time today.  We took them to Clumber and had a great walk in the big field.  Pickle was charging about all over the place but as she is still small we didn't have a great big walk today.  Hopefully by the next time we see her she will be bigger and we can show her more of the park.

Christina took this lovely picture of Murphy and me too.

For more pictures of our new friend Pickle, take a look at the Weston Welshies section of our Gallery site at www.gallery.welshspringers.org.uk

Chocolate? In the Morning?

As you will know, dear reader, today is 1st December and that means Christmas is here!!!!  

Well actually it's not, but what today means for us is that we get to open our Advent Calendar that Mum's had in the cupboard for ages now and so every morning we get chocolate instead of a biscuit when we wake up. 

How good is that?

Tidy up day

The decorating is finished and Michael has gone away for the week leaving us to put everything back in its place.  I'm having a sneaky look around this morning - normally I'm not allowed in this room because it's kept nice and tidy for when we have people staying.

The bed's quite comfy but would be much better with a duvet on it.  Hopefully that will appear later this morning.

Yesterday when I checked on progress I got told off because I jumped up to the window to see what was going on outside and it was wet with white stuff which stuck to my paws. Luckily Mum wiped them clean and then took us out for a walk to 'keep out of the way' as she put it.  Cheek!

We are decorating

Well, when I say we, I really mean Michael!  Although I should add that Murphy and I will be kept very busy over the weekend checking he is on schedule and doesn't miss any bits.  We've already been busy this morning helping to bring the paint and brushes in from the garage.

Training

Today Mum and I went for a lesson with Charlotte.  It was a one-to-one lesson which means it was just us .... which means Charlotte's full attention was on ME rather than being shared with Percy, Holly and Milly who are there in the group lessons.  I am being taught that when Mum blows once on her whistle I have to stop whatever I'm doing, sit down and look at her.
Now those of you that read my brother Dougal's blog will know that he, at 7 months, is already learning this, so you may ask why am I at the same stage aged 2 and a 1/2?  The truth is that I know what I should do when Mum blows the whistle but ......... I'll whisper this bit: sometimes I ignore her.  There was none of that today though and I think we did quite well between us.  We have a few exercises to do at home and when we go into the fields that we need to practice before we have another lesson in a couple of weeks.  I will practice lots  because it would be nice to show Percy and the girls I have improved.

After our lesson we took Murphy to Clumber for a big walk.  Apparently he had been a really good boy waiting in the car whilst I had my lesson.  I'm sure I saw Mum give him a couple of biscuits to keep him company but they weren't there when I got back.  Anyway, here he is sitting on our favourite tree stump gazing across the field.  I've no idea what he was looking at 'cos I couldn't see anything of interest. Not a bird in sight!

That's a BIG number!

I've just noticed the big number 1050 at the bottom of the page.  That means that my blog has been looked at 1050 times since I first posted.  I know some of those times will be Murphy checking up on what I've been saying about him, but for all the other times a big THANK YOU to everyone who reads me. 

A special thank you should also go to all those people who have visited my blog from a long way away - Russia, Latvia, India, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland (I may be over for a visit next year you never know!) and of course all the lovely people in the UK.

Day with Dad

Sandra went to see her Mum yesterday, so Michael was in charge at home.  We had a great day - did some gardening and then went for a huge walk at Clumber.  Sandra came home as we were having our dinner, so Murphy and I managed a quick hello between mouthfuls (you have to get your priorities right!) and then both had a big cuddle on the sofa with her later. 

Welshie Walk

Today we met with loads of friends for a walk in Clumber Park.  Strangely the whole day seemed to be planned around the humans eating - firstly they met for breakfast.  After that, Murphy and I said a great big hello to Dougal and Duggie, Milly and also my sister Plover who had brought along Berwick and Linnet (they are Dougal's brother and sister).  We also met Google (her Sunday name is Pamicks Blissful Surprise) and her Mum Jennifer.
So after the breakfast, we did a bit of obedience and then went for a huge walk aound the park which was great.  After a drink we were bundled into the car so as the humans could go for their lunch which seemed to go on for ages!  Thankfully for Murphy and me Mum had brought our lunch with us so we didn't go hungry whilst we waited for her.
Now we're home and I'm shattered, so I'm having a lie down before it's time for my dinner.

What toys?

Murphy and I are lucky Welshies.  We have two toy boxes - one in the kitchen and one upstairs for during the day when Mum is on her 'puter in the office.  But, although we have lots to play with, I prefer empty drinks bottles every time..

Oh we have bones and things too, but bottles are soo much noisier!

During the day we snooze on a bed in Mum's office which also gives us a great view out of the window across the garden

Keeping watch for those pesky birds

Busy Sunday

Phew, I'm tired today after a busy day yesterday, AND it started early.  Mum and I went to gundog training at 9.30 yesterday morning - only just time for Mum's breakfast before we left AND Murphy got to stay in bed.  Holly and Milly were at training as well as Charlie (he's a black Labrador who's really fast and hard to catch when playing chase).  We had a surprise too when Charlotte's Mum joined us with Inka who is a very pretty 4 month old black Labrador and a lot slower than Charlie!
We did lots of heel work, recall and stopping to a whistle before we went out into the big field to do some hunting for us spaniels and retrieving for Charlie. (Inka went home at this stage probably for a well earned snooze.) The humans are often quite noisy telling us all to keep to heel and giving various commands, so after a while Charlotte said we had to walk along a bit without any talking - it was very peaceful and we all did just as well as when there's lots of noise.  We have another lesson next week, so I can sense some practice will be planned for the next few days.

After training we came home and Mum disappeared again for a couple of hours to get some new tyres (I think they're a bit like new feet) fitted on our car.  Michael took Murphy out for a walk and because I don't like being left on my own I went too!  I was really pleased to be going out with them, and we had a lovely long walk across the fields and then along one of the lanes around our village. 

Later in the day I was pretending to snooze but overheard Michael asking Mum when we were 'meeting up with everyone at Clumber'.  Murphy thinks that means we are going to meet up with our friends for a walk later in the week ...  I hope so because we haven't seen them all for ages.

Clumber Park!

We had a lovely surprise today. Our humans took us back to Clumber Park. It is my absolute absolute favourite park and we haven't been there for ages 'cause we were worried about SCI. It was great to be back there today, and we had a big walk on the heathland. There was loads of things to sniff and I was busy  running around everywhere, checking what was about. After a while, Sandra made me do some training. I am getting very good (if I say so myself) at the sit stay.

Look how "steady" I am - and paying lots of attention.

After that it was Murphy's turn. He wanted to practice his heel work. I'm not sure that he really needs to practice this, as anytime he is on a walk he is busy keeping one eye on Sandra's hand to see if she has any treats.

When's that treat coming Sandra?

We had a lovely time running free after our training. I could smell that there were a few mallards and pheasants around, but I could not find them anywhere. Sandra would not let me run down to the big lake to check if the mallards were hiding down there. Bet they were. We headed back to the car then for a much needed drink and a biscuit. I haven't had a big runabout like that for ages!

Murphy.....stop stealing all the biscuits !!!

What's going on?

It's been a funny old week with Michael at home ALL week.  Usually when he is at home all the time we go out or away in our mobile kennel, but not this week - he's at home because he's poorly.  Murphy and I have been keeping an eye on him when Mum's busy and trying not to bounce too much, which is very difficult when you are a springer.

On Monday Mum bought a whole load of human chocolate in case any children knocked on our door.  She said is was for Hallo Ween whatever that is.  BUT what I want to know is .. who's going to eat it all because only 2 people came to our house?? 

There's nothing better ...

... after a long week of walks, training (agility for Murphy and gundoggy stuff for me) and keeping the garden clear of cats and squirrels,  there's nothing better than a quiet Sunday evening relaxing on the sofa with your brother

... then there's nothing better than starting the week off in fine style on a Monday morning with a bone.  We love it when Sandra makes roast lamb for Sunday lunch.

Congratulations

My half brother and sister Berwick and Linnet celebrated their 6 months birthday recently by gaining 3rd place in their respective Puppy classes at their first show.  Their Mum (is she my grandma?) was very pleased because they were two months younger than all the other entries.
This is them with Dougal (he's in the middle) when I saw them in July ... I expect they are much bigger now especially if they've grown as much as Dougal has!

Easy like Sunday Morning.

After all the fun I had the other day with Dougal I am home alone this morning. Sandra has taken Murphy to Derrity Gun Dogs for training this morning. I have to wait until next week, which is probably a good thing because I need to get a bit of practice in. Just relaxing here watching the rugby.

Visitors

We had visitors today .. Aunty Debbie, Duggie and Dougal!!  They came for lunch, although I now know that Mum met them in Newark this morning - they went for a walk around the market and the castle, did a bit of shopping and then came to see Murphy and me.

Being at our house was also a first for the little chap - I can say that as he's my little half brother, though thinking about it not so little now.

We had a great time playing in our garden...

..then after lunch we took everyone out for one of our favourite walks across the fields in the village.  I think Aunty Debbie and the boys enjoyed themselves, I know Murphy and I did, but phew I'm tired now!

On holiday

Well actually we are home again now, but due to technical issues (no Wifi connection on site) I wasn't able to post whilst we were away so saved it all up for now.

We've been to Suffolk in our new 'van and had a really nice time even though it was quite cold in the evenings and poor Sandra had a nasty cough.  The new bed was a great success and fits four nicely although Murphy did seem to hog it quite a lot during the daytime .... doesn't he look comfy??

The site was very quiet which was nice and had loads of rabbit and pheasant activity in the fields surrounding it.  I think that the dog walk was a major crossroads between fields, so it was always busy.  There was also a nice walk from the site across the fields  into the village of Polstead which we did one afternoon.  We also got a bit historic and visited Framlingham Castle and Sutton Hoo.  We didn't go to the beach because it was so windy we were afraid we might get blown away!

That's it now for our trips away in the mobile kennel this year so we will have to start thinking about where to go next year now.  Michael is at home for the rest of the week so not sure what we will be doing.  I've heard a mention that Aunty Debbie and Dougal are coming to see us on Friday so can't wait for that.

All set for the match

Here we are all ready for the big match of the weekend ... the rugby not Liverpool v Manchester United which is on later. 


Half time and we are a bit concerned for Wales - poor Sam getting sent off.



Full time and Wales lost, but only just.  No time to be upset though as we have to get our new caravan ready to go on holiday tomorrow.

Busy Weekend

We have a new rig!  That's what the experts call it, but we call it our new mobile kennel and both Murphy and I are soooo excited to have it.  We collected it yesterday and managed to have a good sniff around inside.  It's bigger than our last one and has a real bed in it (Murphy is very pleased) and a bathroom like before.  I checked out the shower and it seems plenty big enough for us to have a wash in if we get very dirty.

We were supposed to be going away today but we have had to cancel as Michael has to go back to work next week.  So we have spent the day packing all our stuff into the new caravan.  Murphy and I have our own cupboard like before and our biscuit box is in another cupboard just inside the door so very handy for biscuits first thing in the morning and at bedtime. 
Even though we haven't gone away today (I'm not sure we would have been ready and packed) we are still excited because we are going next weekend instead!!  Apparently we are not going to Wensleydale now but to Suffolk which I think is quite near the beach so who knows we may have a day there.

Here's a picture of our new home away from home ... I can't wait to sleep in it next weekend.  I wonder if I'll have a whole bed to myself now??

On top of all the excitement with the caravan, we were up very early yesterday to watch the rugby.  Murphy and I were really pleased that those Welsh Boys won (sorry Michael) and all four of us will be cheering them on against the French next Saturday.  I have a gundog lesson in the afternoon, so if they win there will no celebrating for me!

Up close & personal

That's exactly what I was on my walk this afternoon.   I was quite happy bumbling along the edge of a field at the back of our village when suddenly I stood on something that moved ... by the time I realised it was a bunny, the cheeky devil had run a circle around my Mum and me before heading off into a nearby hedge!!!

Sadly no photos as it all happened so quickly.  As usual, Murphy missed everything and was only alerted to the excitement by Sandra telling me NO as I tried to chase it.  (That's pretty usual too).  Murphy check out the hedge, but between you and me I don't think he even knew what he was looking for, so we carried on with our walk all of us a bit breathless and checking very carefully where we put our feet!

Wedding

Sandra and Michael went to Ireland this weekend for a big party to celebrate Aunty Deirdre's wedding to James.  We weren't invited (apparently that's the norm for weddings??) so our Nana came to look after us... and then what a surprise on Friday evening when Aunty Christine and Uncle Russell arrived as well.  I was a bit shy to start with and wouldn't come in from the garden, but they turned out to be really nice and took us for lots of walks over the weekend.  We even went for a Chinese take away, well we went to collect it as the restaurant is a short walk away in the village.

Anyway, Sandra and Michael got home lat yesterday evening and Murphy and I were so pleased to see them.  They brought back some lovely pictures of Deirdre and James - here's one of them with their cake!  It looks really scrummy but sadly it has chocolate all around it so we weren't allowed any.

Sunday Sport

We woke up early today to watch the rugby.  Ireland won which apparently is good (Michael said so) but Scotland lost which apparently is bad (Sandra said so).  I think some of those Argentina players must have been really naughty though because Sandra was shouting NO like she does at me when I do something wrong quite a lot.

After all that excitement, Murphy and I were subjected to quite a long grooming session, but I have to admit we both look really smart now.




 I'm having a rest now before we go for a walk ... 

 ... we've been promised one once the cars stop going around in a circle on the telly.

Ploughing Match

Today we went to Southwell Ploughing Match & Show which is the largest one day agricultural show in the county.  (We read the blurb before we went.) 

We saw some really old tractors ... then loads of bright new ones

 Obviously, we weren't surprised to see lots of ploughs although we missed seeing them do their thing as we were late arriving!

We also watched some showjumping (to keep Sandra happy) and met a four month old Welshie puppy called Bella.

Goodness, only just met and already trying to kiss me!

On the way back to the car we went to say hello to Charlotte who had a stand at the show and stopped at a stall that sells the lovely doggie biscuits that we like.  This time we bought liver & bacon and sausage flavours.      Hmm ...  haven't had one yet

Strange goings on

We went to see our mobile kennel today and the strangest thing happened .... Sandra started to empty out all of the stuff in it including our cupboard and beds!
What on earth is going on?  Could we be getting a new one?  All I know at the moment is that the car (and now the garage) was very full on the way home.

Day Out

We had a lovely afternoon at Aunty Debbie's yesterday.  It was great to see everyone and especially Duggie who was looking very bouncy after being poorly a couple of weeks ago.
I had a great bounce around and played with Fergus and Dougal and then later had a quick game of chase with Max around the garden.  Max and I didn't play for long as he was going training later - he and Fergus start their winter work in a couple of weeks, so they are 'in preparation'.

Sadly this morning we have had to cancel our planned meeting with some old and new friends at Clumber Park next week.  The nice people at the Animal Health Trust have reported that some cases of the seasonal illness that Fergus had last September have been seen in our area again, so Sandra has decided it's safer not to go up to Clumber for a while which is a real shame because we love it there.  She may take us for some road walks there over the next few weeks and once the cold weather comes it will be safe to go back into the fields and woods, but for now it looks like we will stay around the village for our walks.  That's fine as we have some great fields to explore around here and we may even go for some walks along the river too.

Naughty Step

I have been on the naughty step today.  I stole a whole tub of chopped up sausage that Sandra had made ready for my training class.  She went out for a while this morning and whilst Michael wasn't looking I found them on the kitchen worktop and just had to sample them .... Michael found me licking out the empty tub to save on the washing up.
Do I look sorry enough in this photo?  They were yummy!