Walking Closer To Home

With the decision made and my plans for the morning reported to HQ, I set off with 4 dogs in the van. I parked at the top of Pen Yr Orsedd slate quarry and walked with Orin and Siska back up through the Cwm and did a circuit round back to the van. Now these two are really good, and when I saw a man coming and going on the footpath at the start of the walk I wasn't concerned. (Top Photo) There is access across the path to a property that has recently been renovated and the man seemed to be working at the entrance. He saw me, got up and moved about 15ft away where he stood to let me pass. From the moment the dogs saw him they didn't stop starting at him. Not a grumble or a growl, no hackless up, but I couldn't even get them to walk past him as they continued to stare, I even had to push Orin with my knees so I could carry on up the path. They both then turned round and watched him the whole time, I had to use all of my strength to get them to walk with me, Orin even went on the wall to look back at him from further up. All I can think is that he was afraid of them, and they sense his response was "Strange!" We pass a lot of people on our walk and there is never an issue, but today both my dogs responded strangely to this chap.

Not wanting to pass this guy again, I had two choices with the loonies, to go round the quarry or go down the bridal path. Though there were sheep everywhere, I chose the latter. I'd been down a bit of it last year with Orin and Siska, but I went further today. There is always the consideration of what goes down and down, has to come back up again so I did mooch a little rather than continue down aimlessly towards Nantlle. The Autumn colours were amazing on such a sunny day and most of the photos are on Facebook, but I really love this bottom photo. Taking it into the sun I wondered if it would come out ... yeah love it. It was another walked where I loved to hate the flexi leads. They both got so tangled so many times ... but without them, I couldn't be there!

TV And Sunsets

The end of another series of All Creatures Great And Small bought me to tears again. Hasn't it just been the most wonderful thing on TV over the last few years? It just has everything, from humour to love, from happiness to heartbreak. Next time I go to the vets and they ask what the problem is? I'll just tell them, "Well, I don't know, you are the bloody vet!" 😁

My other current TV obsession has been The Traitors, I've never watched it before, but my god I'm hooked, it's fantastic! 

I've won another of the photo competitions online. No prizes, but the opportunity of judging the next round. Actually, out of 71 entries I got two places, Beti was 1st and Perry was 3rd. Just goes to show we all have different tastes as I thought the one of Sammi, which wasn't placed, was my best entry - the category was "Sunsets."

The Lovelies

A bit of flirting, or just messing about? 

Whatever was going on, it came to a quick halt when they noticed I was watching!!!

Change Of Plans

Mum was a tad difficult again last night. She had medication to pick up this morning and no one to ask! Of course, I said I'd go over this morning. During the time I should have been sleeping, I planned my day and decided to take the girls with me and walk round "Cae Capel" and "Coed John," but when I rang this morning to say I would be on my way shortly her brother and sister-in-law were there. So a nice walk with these three in Dinas and a whizz round the field at home for the others ... so sorry Beti. By the way, Beti is on Alltwen on this month's calendar photo. 

Unfortunately, Zeus grabbed Meerah again and made her squeal. I'm really not sure what to do about it. There is no malice in it, just excitement, but he does scare her, and she was then reluctant to pass him. It's worked so well with so many to encourage them to carry a toy ... I first did it with Nikki to stop her biting Blade, wow over 30 years ago, but with Zeus having to be on a head collar and lead, sadly it's a different ball game ... so to speak!

The most INSANE Bohemian Rhapsody Flashmob you will ever see!!

Putting this here so I can find it easily - I must have watched it a dozen times. 

The House In Gyrn Goch

It was so sad to see this house so dilapidated yesterday, it looked sad when I last saw it, but not like this. Why has it been left to get to this? It has grounds and a barn and is in a nice location. I just don't get it, why has it not been up for sale? I don't often do the circuit in Gyrn Goch as it means going back through the village, I usually like to go back the way I came and as it's on the outskirts of the village, then I don't pass it, but it was my plan to do it yesterday just to go and see it. Honestly in my mind I imagined it beautifully done up .. how sad!

On the track, I made the mistake of letting Ross off the lead straight away and as he thundered off at 100 miles an hour Beti went too. There was no choice but to drop the lead ... and off she went! I didn't need them on the lead again till I got through the top gate, but with sheep shit on the track there, I chose the safer option! 

Having done the full circuit with Beti and Ross I changed my mind with Orin and Siska, by then the wind was really picking up and it was starting to rain, so I went to the old car (can you see the roof in their photo?) and then turned back down through the forest again. They had a great time in a more sheltered location. 

At this time of year, this place is amazingly beautiful,  I don't go there as often as I used to, thankfully in one way, this was always one of the stops on the way back from the vets with Loki, and Asha and Tali before him. So really I need to make more effort to go, it's only a 20 mins drive, and well worth it!

I found the photo of the house, wow 2018. But no broken windows and a door then. Wow the potential there, such character, I could live there, I'd love it, I'd just have to make it Jamie safe! LOL 

Oh, I almost forgot, with me wandering off in all directions now I tell Steve where I plan to go on the day. I had to laugh yesterday when he said, "well that's the kind of place you should only go with Linda for company, you could fall and no one will find you for 6 weeks!" Well, I'm sure if I wasn't here to cook his evening meal he'd notice? And does he expect me to sit in all Winter till I have company to go exploring? I think not Mr S! 

Gyrn Goch

Walking Tales

Look at the photo carefully, there's always one and as Sammi said it wasn't her! Mind you, it meant he had to stay still for the photo. I really enjoyed walking these two together, but we did upset the local dogs, even with whippets flying at the fence, they were very well-behaved.

I'd parked by Capel Y Bryn in Carmel, it's still for sale, when I came home I looked it up on Dafydd Hardy's Website, as I do - £365,000. It's beautifully done up inside and a decent size garden. Fancy a look??  

https://www.dafyddhardy.co.uk/properties/20985368/sales#/

The walk with Beti and Meerah really wasn't much fun, well the beginning of it anyway. If I'm going to try it again, and I'd like to, I need to make some changes. To be honest, it was mainly Beti and her exuberance that was the main problem. She has no respect for the lead and as she was in a new place, well to her anyway, she was really hyped. So note to self, with these two, don't go on a walk that goes downhill first, go places that Beti has been to before and if I can, walk her first and not let her get worked up in the van whilst the other two are out. The reason I walked the other two first was because of her late breakfast. 

I got myself in such a state with the leads several times on both walks. I absolutely hate them, without doubt it's hard going with more than one dog, and they got knotted and got me knotted numerous times.  But as stressed as I get with the leads, it really is worth it to walk in these beautiful places. 

Tomorrow I hope to go to Gyrn Goch, again I'll do 2 x 2 there, it's one of my favourite places in Autumn. With the weather set to change after lunch I'll have to take Beti's breakfast off her if she doesn't eat early ... anyway I'm already looking forward to the walk! 

2 x 2 It Was Then

Borth Y Gest

 After turning up and taking my mum to the Doctors 24 hrs too early, Steve and I had some time to kill. LOL. I was a bit pissed about it, but she's not the first, or the last to do it is she! 

Anyway, chips near the beach in Borth Y Gest it was, and it was lovely. As we were driving out of the village I saw a very interesting looking footpath for me to explore with Orin and Siska, one day soon then!