The Story

On a stunning day you are bound to see people about. Walking in this kind of location is as good for the mind as it is the body. Whilst out with Ross and Beti I saw dog walkers, but everyone was respectful of each other's space. My loonies had a lovely time off the lead, running and splashing about, but then to show respect to other walkers, they walked back to the van on their leads.

Sadly the second walk was not as good. I'd heard about the couple who walk a mixture of 4 or 5 Labs and Goldies and that they don't seem to bother with leads on all the dogs and allow them into other dog walkers' space. Luckily today, I saw them in good time and chose my path accordingly! As I got nearer to the lake, I could see people at the far side. I was far enough away and thought they'd be gone by the time I got there. As I walked along the edge and got nearer to them, I saw a woman pick up a child, and another following her, they proceeded to settle down to eat a picnic on the path that I was walking ... Hell, why didn't they stay where they originally were? A man with a Choccie Lab came down from Mynydd Cilgwyn; the small terrier who was with the family lunged out barking at the Lab. I now needed to go over the overflow pipe and go behind them to continue on the path. In English I said "Would you mind moving up just to give me a bit of space?" The man replied with a sharp "what?" I repeated myself, he looked behind him and said, "There's plenty of room for you to pass there." He turned round and said something to his wife in Welsh; any communication between us after that was in Welsh. "I can't get through there with your dog lunging out as he just did at the other dog." He said, "the dog is fine, he's just a puppy." So I said, I'm sorry I'm not willing to take the chance in case I slip, please move him to the side."  He did, but he was ignorant and rude... Did he not see that all I wanted was to keep everyone safe? I don't see why I should explain to people that I'm wary with my sight on uneven ground ... just a bit of common sense. With so much space, why block the path with your picnic anyway? I hope they got sheep shit in their butties!!! 

As regards to Orin and Siska, they couldn't have behaved any better, not a word from them though he had to lift his barking, screeching terrier off the floor for me to pass safely. You can just imagine if these had said a word back, can't you? "The Alsatians had a go at my puppy!"  

I walked further and was just taking a photo when I noticed Orin and Siska looking back. (Top Photo) I then heard voices and saw 3 women coming from behind the trees. I called out, "let me sort out my leads." They waited, and I thanked them; they were courteous, and we exchanged pleasantries about the weather and the view, but .... as they had no lead, they had to carry their dog past! Yes, she seemed well-behaved, as were these two, but Why? Just why? There are plently of light slip leads you can pop in your pockets ... I wish people would try and think ahead and keep everyone safe! 

Llyn Cop

A wonderful time with my water babies Ross and Beti. Just a few people about, but a safe distance away!

This must be my favourite photo of the day. Orin and Siska watching walkers further down on the slate path, but there is a story to tell ...

Hell I Was Right

I usually park where the dot is on the right hand of the screen and walk cross country to a gateway where I've put the gap. I turn around there and enjoy the stunning view on the way back too. Today I parked where the left dot is, but got totally confused when I saw the farmhouse in front of me - if only I'd gone through the farm gate and a tad further .. ah well now I know! 

Last September Linda and I did the walk from the vineyard but then followed a footpath sign and went through a few gates before we found ourselves with nowhere to go, a gentleman kindly let us out through his property ... I still don't know how we went wrong that day; I'd love to find the footpath through those fields too! 

Photos from September

Nothing Went To Plan

I was convinced that when I parked near Pant Du Vineyard and walked cross-country, I would end up on Lon Ddwr in Llanllyfni. Today, rather than crossing the main road from by the vineyard, I decided to park on the quiet Lon Ddwr (Water Street) where I had always thought the path came out. It was a lovely track, and yeah, just as I had seen it after the Farm on the original track, but I found myself in a totally different location and actually at somebody's house. I turned back and told myself that I would have to try again from the vineyard and actually see exactly where I came out on another day! 

This was not enough of a walk for the girls, and I decided on another walk, but the car park that I use was locked .. Ok so up towards Cilgwyn was the next idea. I parked, taking the girls again. I was enjoying the walk and decided I'd go as far as Sandra's old house before going back ... but I had to make a hasty retreat due to cows being in the open countryside. Sadly girls with Sammi and Zeus still waiting in the van, that would have to do.

Off we went to another parking space and another untried footpath; (Above) honestly, it wasn't worth the effort. We turned back, crossed the road and went onto the more familiar territory of the Carmel side of Cilgwyn Mountain! Zeus decided to play hippo and put his whole front end down in the mud, right down to his chin ... you can imagine what Steve had to say when I got home "What have YOU done to my dog?" 

Actually there are quite a few places to explore there, little nooks and crannies off the main footpath. Hmm one for the future. I've said that these flexi leads have opened a lot of new places for me, but so have my muck boot wellies. What ever did I do without them? Anyway after three years of hard labour and a bit of shoe-glue my black ones have finally given up the ghost. I hate wet feet. Luckily I had a pair waiting in the wings so no delays I can still go anywhere I like!

Donkeys, Alpacas And Help Needed

Beti got to see her buddies today. The greeting is always so sweets. Some sniffing, snuffling, snorting and snogging. They are as lovely with her as she is with them, I wish I'd thought to video the greeting; I'll have to think ahead next time. Let's just hope there is a next time, as the owner's house is on the market. None of my other dogs bother with them really, but I will miss them terribly if they go. 

Darwin, Dave and Duncan

It's funny how the boys stand and stare when we pass. I love seeing them too, and I always talk to them. They are still in their coats - soon be warmer guys. 

Thanks to Siska we got in a right knot! Well, we were well and truly stuck anyway. I pulled and pushed and seesawed it, but that lead was not coming out. In my wisdom I phoned Steve for some ideas, he suggested I leave it there, come home and he'd come there to get it with me. Well, there were numerous reasons why that was simply not practical, but I've only had the new leads a couple of weeks so I didn't want to leave it there either. The lightbulb moment was to ring Ian. I'd see him when I was out with Ross and Beti so I knew he was about. I really appreciated it that he came down to help but shrieked when he said, "Shall I bring a knife?" The video of him having to pull the wall down to get the lead free is on Facebook .. hell I could never have done it! Thanks Ian.

Thankfully I always carry spare leads, the sensible type, it proved again today how flexi-leads are only an asset in certain places. 

Easter Sunday Walks

Bluebells in Tremadog Nursery

Some very early bluebells this year, I'll be going back in a couple of weeks when hopefully there will be more. I walked the top path, my eyes letting me down in places and making me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. The path is about a foot or two wide with a rock one side and a sheer drop on the other side. Of course I'll go back! 

Rain And Upgrades

Not the best of Good Fridays, with drizzle, a cool breeze and thick mist. I opted to give everyone a run in the fields, and they had a great time. 

My new phone has been ordered; it's been 4 years since I upgraded, and to be honest, give or take a slow shutter speed, there's not a lot wrong with it. Anyway, I've stayed with the "A" Samsung phones and simply updated to A56 - Steve is going to have the A53 as his A3 or whatever it is is now well past it's sell by date! LOL To be fair that still does the basics, but I'm sure he'll find the A53 an improvement on his current phone. My new phone is being partly paid for by my family for my upcoming birthday.  

Giggles today on a Facebook post. Sheila's e.mail has been hacked, and lots of us have received the oddest of e.mails, common sense dictates they are not from her but people had also posted warnings on Facebook. What made me giggle was one of the new know-it-alls in the breed who said "who is this Sheila Rankin anyway?" Wow Really? You give the impression that you know everything about the breed and you don't know the name of a lady who has witten books about the breed, basically given her life to the breed and the breed council? Sheila maybe in her 90 ies now but she still attends Crufts and The Sieger. I should be shocked, but I'm not, so many buy or bluff their way to the top and just don't do the research and the work! 

If you are interested, then search for "Sheracyn German Shepherds," you will find Sheila's specific footprint in the UK breed history. 

Chatting On My Walk

Whilst walking today I came across a lady from Groeslon with a GSD and a crossbreed. Over the years I've regularly seen her in the distance, but we've never ended up close enough to chat before. We knew a lot of the same people in the breed, and not necessarily just in this area. She seemed to know more about me than I did about her, some mutual acquaintances as well as friends! She liked Siska, she said she was beautiful, but she was very impressed with Orin, saying his unexaggerated shape and size were exactly what she considered correct in the breed. She asked if I was still breeding? I chose to just tell her about the Orin X Mattie mating and as she had recently lost her older female she was interested. She said she had a habit of dithering over decisions and missing out, so the fact that this mating had only just happened gave her a long time to think about it. As I told her, it's far too early to know if Mattie is pregnant, but, well, here's hoping!

I have to say I was very impressed with all 4 dogs who stood there quietly whilst we chatted, and I observed she was also using Flexi leads. We both agreed times have changed too much to take risks!

My nutjobs entertained me as usual on their walk. I have to say, though they are naughty, they are fun! 

Everyone Walked

I had great satisfaction from getting everyone out on a walk today. The girls had the longest walk, but everyone else had plenty of time out. For the first time in over a year, Steve was able to do part of a walk with me. He then sat looking at the view and studying the old rusty steam train, some new sights is good for mind and body! I wonder where else is suitable for him to have a short walk?