Wet and Sunny Walks

On Wednesday we met with my sister Plover along with Berwick, Linnet and Google for a very wet walk at Clumber.  Because it was so wet, we showed the others a different part of the park to where we normally go, so walked along the avenue (the humans wanted some shelter from the rain) and then down to the lake, but no swimming as Mum said we were wet enough!  We had a really nice day and Murphy provided us with some very good 'pathfinder' services on our way back to the car - he's not a big fan of the rain!

Yesterday Mum met Auntie Debbie for lunch and then we had our walk at a small nature park nearby at Whisby.  It was lovely and sunny and NO rain!  Sadly, Auntie Debbie couldn't join us because i) she didn't have any of her boys with her and they wouldn't be pleased if she came for a walk just with us and ii) Fergus was poorly so she wanted to get back home to see how he was feeling.

Hope you are feeling better soon Fergus.

Interesting lesson

My lesson last night was very interesting.  It was great to see Percy, Holly and Sweep and before we started we had our usual run around to 'let off steam' as the humans like to say.  We started with some heel work and straight away Mum had me with no lead and no collar.  After that we went into the big field and did some more heel work and steadiness - sitting while the humans collected balls and dummies.  I did this all off lead too and was particularly good at one point - Mum went to fetch a ball, I sat still and a bunny ran across the field!  I saw it (didn't move), all the other boys and girls saw it, Charlotte saw it - Mum didn't! After that we did some hunting and again I was off my lead.  Mum said I did very well as I responded to her whistle and commands quickly and didn't charge off. 

It was all going so well and I was looking forward to a treat when we got back to the car.  Then, to finish the lesson we had to walk close to a cage with a rabbit in.  We were to walk within about 5 yards of the cage, I should add that the rabbit is tame and very used to dogs doing this and in fact wasn't interested in us at all.  We were to sit and stay, ignore the rabbit and then answer a recall away from him.

I went first. 

I failed miserably. 

I got so excited I couldn't even get near the cage before Mum pulled me away for not walking nicely.  Eventually the distance between me and the rabbit was extended and I managed to do the exercise, but kept an eye on the bunny the whole time.  Apparently we are going to try it again in our next lesson.

Back to normal

We are getting back to our usual routine after our holiday with all the usual stuff like checking everything is where it should be in the garden and having a couple of really nice walks around the village.  Yesterday we went to Clumber for a walk early in the day before it rained - or at least that was Mum's plan.  We got soaked and Mum complained that the rain started (as always) when we were as far from the car as we could be. 

This evening I am going to a lesson with Charlotte along with Percy, Milly and Holly too.  Mum says she hopes I behave myself and haven't forgotten what I learned before we went away as we didn't do much practice last week.  I'm sure she will be fine!

Another Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to Dougal - he is ONE YEAR OLD today! 

Dougal shares a doggy Mum with me, so he is a very special friend.  I hope you have a great day and that we can get together soon for a big game of chase!

Another castle, some gardens and a lake

On Thursday we visited Sizergh Castle which is very near where we are staying and had a great walk across the fields.

On Friday we went to some gardens and a walk through the woods before coming to see a lot of stones called  Long Meg and her Daughters.

 After that we had a walk along the edge of Derwentwater before going for a swim!

Saturday was the day we packed up to go home.  For Murphy, finding a small space to keep out of the way was a bit of an obstacle course, but he managed to reach is favourite spot - in the corner of the bed!

All things Roman (again!)

Yesterday we went to Hardnott Roman Fort

which is half way up Hardnott Pass

The Romans certainly knew how to pick a view

We had a great time exploring the ruins of the walls






 


and Murphy did a good impression of a look out







 After we'd done exploring we went to Ravenglass to see another Roman Bath House

To awning or not?

Today we've had a quiet day relaxing at the site where we are staying.  Well, I say quiet ... it's sooo noisy here what with the sheepdog man with his whistle and the wind.

After we went to bed last night it started to rain really hard and it got very windy.  Our new awning started to flap about a bit and Dad had to get up in the middle of the night to check it was all still secure.  It was - and I should add here what a good job the humans did of putting it up when we arrived, especially as it hadn't been out of its bag.

Today it hasn't rained quite as much as last night but it is still very windy.  Mum and Dad have been trying to decide whether to leave the awning up or not tonight and I think it's staying up .. at least until tomorrow when it's not meant to be as windy.  Apparently, if it catches the wind it could fly off and we don't want that because  we need it for our next holiday.  Strangely the man next door to us arrived yesterday and put up his awning.  This morning it had gone, but this afternoon he was putting it up again!  Just when you thought you'd figured these humans out ...!

A van with a view

This is the view from the door of our caravan at the site where we are staying this week.  

As well as sheep, there are ponies and a man who trains sheepdogs to watch when we have a quiet moment. 

On Monday we went to Wray Castle which is quite near here and on the edge of Lake Windermere.  

  

 

We had a great walk around part of the lake and a swim too.  

I had to keep my lead on as there were loads of sheep and lambs about the place.

 

Even Murphy came into the water although I don’t think his feet left the bottom once!  

After our walk the nice lady at the castle said we could go into the tea shop with Mum and Dad if we wanted, but as we were a bit wet still we decided to relax in the car while they had tea and cake.

Going away

Our caravan came home today and Mum says it's only two sleeps before we go away on holiday! 

That's the good news.  The bad news is that we've had to have a big grooming session today and have been trimmed and clipped.  This was followed by more good news though - we had a piece of doggy chocolate for being really patient and standing quietly for Mum to trim us.

I'm not sure where we're going, I think it's somewhere in 'the Lakes'.  I hope that doesn't mean we'll be wet all next week!  I will keep you updated dear reader, but now I'm off as it's nearly time for dinner.

Being daft!

Mum says that I often do things when we are on a walk that she wishes she had caught on video.  Well today she managed to get her phone out of her pocket and catch me ...

I'll give you a clue what I'm 'attacking' - Mum says it's not good for a gundog to do this, but as I probably won't ever go out working because I don't retrieve very well, she'll let me off.

Any ideas?  It's a feather!

As you will see, Murphy wasn't interested at all.

Another photo

Mum's got this new camera-thingy.  It's a very early birthday present from Dad.  So she's been playing with it a bit today and took these photos of me....

I don't mind having my photo taken, which is just as well because I can feel lots more opportunities coming up as she learns how to use it!

Perhaps I should do what Murphy does and disappear to my bed!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today it's my turn to have a birthday, and I've already had a small piece of Easter Egg to celebrate.  I would rather have Mr Hoppy back - Dad took him off me last night because he couldn't hear the telly.  Too much noise or something!

I am three years old today.  I don't really know what that means ... do I have to suddenly become really good and sensible now?  Murphy hasn't and he's nine.

I'm not sure what our plans are for today, but I expect it will include a really nice walk and something special for tea - I smelt chicken in the fridge earlier.

Happy Birthday to me and of course to my sister Plover.

A busy couple of days

On Friday we had an afternoon out and went to see Aunty Debbie and her boys.  Neither she nor Uncle Dave have been very well, but I think our visit cheered them up.  I certainly had a great time and played all afternoon in the garden with Dougal and Fergus.  I was shattered by the time we got home.

Yesterday we had a visit from Mum's nieces Victoria and Hannah and Hannah's boyfriend Chris who very kindly drove them to our house.  Murphy and I were out with Dad when they arrived, so had a snooze whilst they all had lunch.  I was still a little nervous of saying hello to everyone, but Murphy was very bold and shared the sofa (and lots of cuddles) all afternoon with Hannah and Chris!


Today is Easter, which for us means a present. We've had a chocolate egg to share and surprise surprise a new Mr Hoppy each.






We both really like playing with Mr Hoppy.  Murphy tends to just sit quietly and hold his but I like to bounce around the garden .. the lounge .. wherever and makes loads of noise.  Dad's already said he is going to take my Mr Hoppy off me soon just to get some peace.  Cheek!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Surprise!

We came home from a walk and some shopping today to find a huge package had been left for us with our neighbour.  Look what was in it ....

... a new bed!  It's really lovely and much bigger than my old one which was too small for me when I wanted to stretch out.  Mum said it's for sleeping in and that I can't pretend it's a toy and throw it around the room for fun. 

In case you were worried that it was only me that got a new bed, Murphy got one too, but he didn't feel like posing for a photo.  His old bed wasn't too small for him but was looking a bit tatty and was a very odd shape.  It was meant to be round but looked more like a triangle! 

I can't wait for bedtime!

Not a good day

It's been very windy here today and very rainy, so we've not been able to get out much.  Then, after lunch Mum put us in the car and said we were going out.... Murphy and I were really excited until we saw where we were going - THE VET!

Mum said it was just for our annual check-up and not to worry.  I must admit the vet was really nice even though he laughed at me because I was sitting in the corner trying to make myself look small and shaking.  He checked our eyes, ears and teeth, gave us both an injection and then we were done.  We made a quick stop to be weighed before heading back out to the car while Mum gave the nice lady some money.

Mum said we had both been very good and gave us a small biscuit when we got back into the car.  She also said something that sounded a bit like 'that's it for treats, you're both on a diet'.  I'm not sure what that means really, but as long as I don't have to go back to the vet again until next year and get my dinner tonight I'll be happy.

Another One!

Another day and another birthday - this time it's the turn of my favourite brother Murphy!  He's nine years old today and Mum says is still as daft as he ever was when he was a puppy.   I think he looks quite distinguished though, don't you?

Mum's made special birthday biscuits and this morning we had a hide chew each as a special treat (which Murphy is still finishing - mine went ages ago!)

Happy Birthday Murphy!