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??