Saturday trip out blog

Saturday 7th December 2013 seemed like a normal day to me. I got up, had a walk round the block and then breakfast kibble. We even got in the car and went to dog training. As we got a new woofbed during the week we tried them out between exercises.

Training finished and we got into the car thinking we were going home.

But no Hoodad got his talking box out with a women with an Australian accent. I think he calls it the sat Nav to direct him places as Hoomom is not the best map reader. Destination set was 17 miles away. It turns out we arrived at ...

The Kenilworth branch was where I moved to after 18 months in Barley's kennels. I did get worried when I saw this sign.

I thought flip I've already done 1.5 hours worth. Fortunately it was to visit the Christmas fund raising fair (also on Sunday 8th December 2013) They have book on sale, refreshments, doggie and hooman nik naks. Hoomans got two packs of doggie bags (nice & strong ones) £2 pound on the doggie tombola sadly no winners then off to see Santa Paws.

The grotto was decorated with pictures, presents and a poster with a greyhound on it.

In true grotto style there was Santa's little helper or in this case a not so small helper. Hoomans and I recognised him from last year and we had a chat with him. I gave him a Business card so he can follow my blog.

We then went in to see Santapaws but first a couple of photos.

Star and I told Santa that we have been good all year and what we wanted for Christmas. He then gave us both a present.

We both thought that was the end of our adventures but hoomans had some shopping to do in Waitrose and then Sainsburys. I was very good when they went into Sainsburys as they left a bag of shopping on the back seat with me I have now found out there was a whole chicken in it. Doh slipped up there ! Hoodad then asked the Aussie women where the nearest park was and drove us there.

Victoria park in Leamington Spa has paths, 4 bowling pitches and a tennis club with 10 courts. Hoodad watched the tennis for a while as he hasn't played for 2 years. Then it was back into the car for our trip home. As you can image after all this excitement guess what a greyhound wants to do now !

Holibobs in Devon

Today I'm going for a long weekend in Devon to stay in a caravan. Two things I have never done before visit Devon or stay in a caravan so I'm an excited hound.

This was the weather from the rear and front windows of our house this morning. We left just gone 10 and heading to Chipping Sodbury. Hoomans left Star and I in the car when they went to Hobbs House bakery and butchery. What's so special about this shop? well it's where the fabulous baker brothers Tom and Henry have their shop. They have a famous series on more 4 on the telly.
Hoomans got some sausages, I hope I get to try some.

When they came back fresh after a drink and a bacon bap (didn't bring any doggie bag for me so it must have been good!) they decided to take us out for a walk along a very wet and muddy path.

Then back in the car to dry off and a doggie nap. Zzzzz
We arrived at Dawlish Sands holiday park at 4pm. Hoomans got a big sleeps 8 caravan there is only 2 hoomans and 2 hounds so lots of spare room.
We went to Morrisons and it's still raining as we dragged round the car park for tiddles! Us hounds really don't like heavy rain.
After my tea it was time for more snoozes after a busy day.

Chatsworth garden walk blog

The last Saturday of the month is Bakewell, Derbyshire farmers market. Hoomans left Star and I in the car whilst stocking up on vegetables, mushrooms and ordered their Christmas turkey.

We walked round Bakewell with them and got fussed over in many of the dog friendly shops. After a 10 minute drive we arrived at Chatsworth house.

Chatsworth house is unlike many other stately homes not national trust or English Heritage but is an independent charitable trust where the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire live.

Throughout the year they do special events in the house and gardens. I wanted to share this blog about the Halloween event.

Dogs are welcome in the gardens and surrounding estate (always on a lead). For Halloween the garden was a gruesome trail.

Carved out pumpkins (13 of them) were spread across the gardens in high and low places. Star and I like the low levelled ones.

It was also the last weekend of the beyond limits sculptures. This year it was the work of a single artist, the British sculptor Barry Flanagan, RA OBE (1941-2009).

In one section of the garden is a maze so we pulled the hoomans in. Being a sight hound I was sure I could see the way to the middle, so I lead the way!

We got scared at the middle as it was cursed !

We scared hoomans in the way out, they turned corners to bump into our big noses and pointy faces.

We then continued our walk to the kitchen garden where during Halloween it had been turned into a scarecrow cementry.

Walking down the hill to the exit Hoomom tried to leave me with a strange lady!

If you have never been to Chatsworth it's a must visit. For whats on visit www.chatsworth.org

Future events include Christmas craft market and the house decorated for christmas. (Dames and villians theme this year).

Chatsworth house sculptures 2011 blog

Hoomans took me to Chatsworth house in Derbyshire to walk me in their huge gardens. It was the last weekend of their 4th beyond limits sculpture exhibits. They have 20 sculptures across the gardens that will be sold at Sotheby's. Will cost too many treats for us hounds.

The sculptures vary in shapes and designs here are a few I examined.

She was naked so Dad told me not to look.

This was at the bottom of the cascade waterfall. I bet the bees loved this one!

This one was a Damien Hurst apparently he's big in the art field. It was strange all red and muscles showing on one side, plain white the other!

Because it was Halloween weekend they also put pumpkins across the gardens for the mini hoomans to find.

Notice how Mom is leaning into me I thought I would play hard to get for this photo!

This bit was also busy so I popped in and got one for my French nanny !

Great exercise in the garden and art to see ahhhh life is good. Bit of relieve before home!

Pumpkin marks the spot ! Bol !