Wye Valley show

Hi everyone, just to let you know Finn is still around even though Talk Talk have cut our Internet connection and put us on incoming calls only and up until 1st of this month I hadn't even missed a payment! But that's another story.
Beryl took us to Monmouth at the weekend for the Wye valley show. It was a beautiful weekend and Finn was modelling his towelling coat he wears soaked in water to keep him cool before he runs. All things considered we were working well together although we never got a clear round and he fell off the dog walk three times!
the campsite was next to the river and all the dogs spent a good deal of time cooling off there. On Saturday night there were fireworks in one of the houses adjoining the showground and 4 dogs went missing. 3 were found quickly, but the last was missing until 12.30 at night, there must have been about 200 people scouring the campsite for her and it looked really eerie as all the torches were bobbing about in the dark but thankfully she was found.
Sorry there's no photo's again, but I'm on a friends computer and wasn't actually meaning to use it today.
Finn's next show is the last weekend of this month and then again on the 17th July.

Watch out for us on Watchdog and X-Ray with our talk talk dispute.

Apologies

Sorry I haven't written anything lately, but I'm having a bit of a dispute with Talk Talk and am having to use a friends computer for this post. Hopefully it will be worked out soon and normal service continued. In the meantime I'm really looking forward to meeting JD and Max in July, ( I think it's the third weekend I'll be at Wirral), and catching up with all your blogs.

Finn's Big Adventure

This afternoon we decided to go for our usual walk to the cliff path at Dead Mans Gulch, we've done this walk millions of times so I didn't bother to take the camera as I have loads of pictures of the woods we have to go through to get there. It was a beautiful afternoon and the sea was like a millpond, there was what was probably a seal swimming close to the shore but as I didn't have the binoculars either I couldn't be sure. There is a zig-zaggy pathway cut in the grass down to the cove and the tide was out quite a long way so there was a fairly big, deserted beach down there. We have never gone down there as it is quite steep and usually quite slippery. Anyway I decided the time was right to try it, so I put Finn on the lead and we started to go down very slowly. Finn wasn't really happy going down, he must have thought I'd gone mad going over the edge of the cliff! When we were nearly down and it looked safe I let Finn off and he went running on ahead, keeping sensibly to the path and then going in the stream. The views were fantastic, I must go back on my own with the camera. Looking back along the valley, the stream had plunged over a massive drop dividing in two as it fell. Finn came back to me to tell me to hurry up and then went off in front again, the path went between the cliffs and when I came out the other side Finn had found the sea and was down on the beach. Nothing wrong with that I hear you all saying, he loves the sea, he always goes in the sea, he thinks he's a dogfish! The trouble was the beach was about 6-7 foot below the path, with only one narrow step down, easy enough for an excited German Shepherd to go down, but how on earth does he get back up? Not by himself that's for sure. After lots of calling and encouragement and I must admit PANIC it was obvious he couldn't get back up. I tried pulling him up by the collar, but it nearly came off, so I had to go down halfway to the narrow step and eventually with lots of heaving and pushing and pulling he was up thank God and any other deity within earshot! I put him straight back on the lead and we sat looking out to sea, me giving thanks and him puffing and panting. The seal which had inadvertantly caused the problem looked on from the safety of the water. After a while we made our way back up the path and halfway up caught sight of three dolphin just off the headland. It would be nice to think they had heard me trying to get Finn up and had come to help, but I somehow think that unlikely, despite stories of them helping people in difficulty in the sea. Finn was a little bit subdued as we made our way home, but at least he's lived to tell the tale to Tansy when he sees her tomorrow!

Tremain Woods

First of all let me apologise for the delay in writing this post. I've been having computer troubles, but hopefully they're all sorted now.
On March 2nd we went on a marathon 7 hour walk! There was a Le Trec competition at Tremain Woods and being a nice day we decided to take a picnic and go and watch. Of course being a Sunday there were no buses!
It took an hour of walking on roads before we got to this bridle path. When we had a car this was one of our favorite walks. It feels as though you are on top of the world here.

After following this track through the wheat fields you descend into the woods.

The path follows a stream

To Trewindsor Mill,

where Finn had a paddle and a drink.

Past the mill and up the hill to Trewindsor farm where the event was taking place. We arrived just as my friend Wendy (who taught me to ride) was just about to compete. Le Trec competitions normally consist of two parts the first being orienteering where competitors are given a map and sent off on a ride past various checkpoints to return to complete the second part where they have to negotiate various obstacles. Control is the key element here.

Once they had completed the first obstacle(opening the gate, going through it and then shutting it all without dismounting or letting go of it) they had to walk through the poles without touching them.

Next they had to walk around the bollards without knocking them over, whilst holding a rope attached to the flag pole.

There were a few more thing like loading in and out of a trailer, going over a waterjump, crossing a bridge, walking fast and cantering slowly then walking through a pair of poles and reining back through them without touching them.

And then it was over!

When Wendy had finished we wandered off to have our lunch back in the woods under the trees.

We found a place amongst the snowdrops where Finn could play in the water (he'd been so good while we were watching the horses and hadn't barked once!) while I ate my picnic.

After I had eaten and he had got sufficiently wet we carried on along the path to these ponds.

Why can't I go in here then?

This was the turning point and it was time to turn round and make our way home.

Looking across the valley there were some horses grazing on the far side of the stream.

It was a long day and we arrived home tired and footsore. Finn did make a token effort at keeping me amused in the evening by throwing his ball at me, but I don't think he was too disappointed when I didn't throw it back!

He slept well that night and the next!

An Invitation to Aberporth

Hi there to all my bloggie friends. This is another post in answer to the comments, particularly JD and Max, but anyone else who wants to come and meet me and see where I live. I can't wait to meet you JD and Max so when can you come?
She Who Thinks She Must Be Obeyed has a friend who runs a dog friendly guest house in Aberporth, she's found a link to theweb site, http//www.yourdog.co.uk/Dog-Friendly-Holidays/Ffynonwen-Country-Guest-House.html, also the slightly posher Penrallt hotel which is just around the corner to us http//www.thepenrallt.co.uk/. And if this isn't enough there's always the tourist informationboard http//www.tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/saesneg/cardigan.htm.
Can't wait to meet you all, but must go on a new adventure now as She Who Thinks She Muest Be Obeyed is just about to pick my lead up.
Bye for now
Finn

This post is a response to Shawnee's comment from my last post.
I AM very lucky to live where I do and really do appreciate it, but you know what they say about familiarity breeding contempt, when you do the same walks all the time you become just that little bit blase about it all, and don't really appreciate it the way you should.
Having lost my car last year I am quite jealous of your walks Shawnee, all those magnificent wild places you get to,WOW.
I really miss some of the walks we used to do on my way to and from work as a milk recorder, travelling around to different farms within a 30 mile radius.

Places like these pictured below.


Brynberian burial chamber

Sunset at Rosebush

Bedd Arthur on the Pressellies

Pengelli woods

Newport and Carn Ingli.

But having lost my car I am really glad that I do live in such a lovely place with so many good accessible dog walks. Having to walk everywhere has made me explore local footpaths and find places quite nearby that I never knew existed before, and we really do appreciate the times we get a bus, or a friend takes us somewhere a bit different,

Another thing I have just recently come to appreciate is how safe we are when we go walking here. I thought your lovely red coat, Shawnee, was just a cool fashion accessory your mum liked, I didn't realise until your last post that it was to stop someone shooting you! And in another blog I was reading about how to spring a trap if your dog gets caught in one. These are things we just don't think about here.

A Winter Picnic

Yesterday was such a beautiful dayI decided to pack a picnic lunch and take Finn for a special walk along the cliff path and make a day of it. we set off across the fields and Finn soon found one of his favoritewatering places, I'm sure there's a bit of warthog in him somewhere!



The path leads through the woods to the cliff path.



Finn always goes on the lead on the cliff path as you quite often hear of dogs going over the edge, and there is no way I will risk that happening to Finn. It is suposed to be only 4 miles to Mwnt but there are so many inlets that I'm sure it's twice that in reality.

You can't get the idea of how steep the drop is behind Finn here as I couldn't get in quite the right position with the camera without going over the edge myself!

looking back the way we had come. You can often see Dolphins playing round the headland where the currents meet, but there weren't any about yesterday. I often see a Peregrine here aswell and once I saw a Merlin hovering over the cliff face.

Looking forward. The plan was to have lunch in the field overlooking the rocks where the seals come to lie in the sun, but there was a strong North wind blowing off the sea and I decided to find somewhere more sheltered.

Finn is off the lead for this bit as it is far enough away from the edge and is quite a steep slope, which I don't appreciate being pulled down!

Another favorite watering place.

He does like the water.

Back on the lead here.

We waited till we were off the cliff path to have our lunch.

We found a small, sunfilled clearing just off the path, next to a stream where Finn could play while I ate my cold meat salad and apple crumble, possibly not the best choice for a day when the ice stayed on the ground all day
but a flask of coffee did a good job of warming me up before we carried on up this path, which in autumn is lined with blackberries.

Which led to this field.

and into this wood which will be thick with Daffodils soon.

Across the road to the Daffodil wood is this waterwheel, which looks quite forlorn standing alone.

Finn went for a closer look,

and so did I.

So far I haven't been able to find out anything about it's history, but I haven't given up yet.


Further along the road it was back into fields again. The path goes past this abandonned farm house, where if I had the money I would love to live. The land goes down to the cliff path and there are lovely seaviews and some useful out buildings.

Across another couple of fields and Finn finds a lovely muddy stream.

He's really pleased with the state he's got himself in, just look at that tummy.

And now it's back home for a bath!


I'm just thinking how lucky I am to have this walk right at the end of my road!

I Want To Be the Person My Dog Thinks I Am

The following poem was inspired by this fridge magnet sent by JD and Max's Female Human and the picture of me from the last post!It's my first attempt at writing poetry since I was at school many moons ago so please don't be too critical.

I wakeup in the morning
Aching limbs and stiff in the joint
Finn by the bedside
'Come on Mum, let's go for a jaunt'.



I want to be the person my dog thinks I am.



I look in the mirror,
Face lined and gaunt.
Finn by my side
'Come on Mum let's go for a jaunt'



I want to be the person my dog thinks I am.



I put on my hat, put on my coat,
Caught by a neighbour wanting to talk.
Finn by my side,
'Come on Mum, this is a walk.



I want to be the person my dog thinks I am.



We tramp across fields,
Splash through streams'
Finn by my side,
'Come on Mum, this is the walk of my dreams'.



For a while, Iam the person my dog thinks I am.



I sit for a rest
At the end of the day.
Finn at my side ,
'Come on Mum, it's time to play'.



Iwant to be the person my dog thinks I am.

Ann's Birthday

It was Ann's birthday yesterday so she invited us and Beryl and Tansy to go for a walk at Aberaeron followed by lunch in the best chip shop in Ceredigion!
She picked us up and Finn had a ride in Peter's campervan, which is much more comfortable than a normal car even if he wasn't allowed to sit on the bed!

Ann with Finn (left) and Peter (right)

Me with Finn and Peter, while we were wating for Beryl to arrive

Tansy and Finn. The path goes along the back of the beach and gradually merges into the beach which is all pebbly here. You can walk all the way to Aber Arth from Aberaeron although we didn't go that far yesterday.

It was really weird to see the snow on the hills as it was really warm in the sun.

Can you see the snow on the mountains of North Wales in the distance?

Ann, Beryl Tansy, Peter and Finn.

The path goes up onto the fields and although it is not stony underfoot it is very muddy.

Shall we jump?

At this point there was quite a drop down to the beach and Finn delighted in giving me heart attack. I don't think he would have jumped down, but I was worried about the edge giving way as it isn,t very stable.

After our walk we left the dogs in the cars (with windows and sunrooves open) while we had the best ever fish and chips served with a green salad, then we had a look around an exhibition of local artists before reurning home.

Thankyou for a lovely day out Ann.