Ross And Beti In Tremadog

A walk in Tremadog along "line fach" to "Cae Capel" and accross the road to the nursery. Beti and I walked this recently, but it's been such a long time since Ross walked in these woods.

Linda and I didn't know where to look as a car stopped in front of us as we walked the short section to the nursery. The doors flew open, a potty was put on the pavement in fronts of us and a child came out of the car, pants down and onto the potty! Surely they could have let us pass??? Good thing Ross didn't grab the potty, Blade would have done. OMG ... is it just me?

As you do eh Ross!!!

Times Have Changed

I NEVER used to walk my dogs on leads. The day after I had Nico, he was off the lead on the mountain. Like I know that Zeus would not come back, I knew instantly that Nico would. Kai, Jay, Simba, Storm all joined us as adults, all went off the lead in no time, I trust these guys no less, (well most of them) but times have changed. A dog doesn't have to do anything wrong to be reported these days, it only has to give someone "reason for apprehension." Most dog owners are sensible, most dogs are well-behaved, but even the best of them have their moments ... don't they Ross!!!

Though I still don't like walking on leads, and I'd never have a dog on an extended lead near a road, I have to confess that I now do find the benefits of them for walking in rural locations where there is a chance of being caught out by a dog walker, a cow or a sheep. I guess we are all entitled to change our minds, to change our routines to benefit our current situations! The only thing I would say, if you are buying a retractable lead ... don't buy cheap! 

As we know with social media, we should never trust everything we read and see, so for the benefit of nice photos, very often leads are photoshopped out!!!!

The Car Park

 You can usually find most things on Social Media, so under Rhosgadfans' village page I found there were already questions about the car park, and a reply from Counsellor Huw Rowlands, "It is part of the Safer Routes in Communities Scheme, which Cyngor Gwynedd are implementing. It is expected that most of the work will be finished by early April." LOL it's June tomorrow!!! Apparently, It will be a new safer path from the car park into the school through the park. Soon be school holidays.

Todays Wander

Well, another walk that didn't start off that great. What have they done to the Car Park?

This used to be a great little car park in the centre of the Bryngwyn section of  Llwybr Llechi Eryri - (Snowdonia Slate Trail) I started at the far end of the section, by Hafod Lwyfog Kennels with Ross and Beti the other day. I decided to start off in the centre today and walk in the opposite direction towards Tryfan Station. 

No prizes for guessing where we set off from!!! 

Five minutes by the river, so many Blaniks have loved it here. 

A detour off the track and up the single track road to the top, we got to the last property where I had a stop and a chat with the owner. What a stunning place to live. We chatted about the footpath that went further up and over, she told me it came out in Waunfawr. Yes, the cogs are whirling!!!

Back down towards Llwybr Llechi past "Tryfan" station and off for home.

There is just so much on our doorstep to explore. Loved the walk with my lovelies today.

Happy 8th Birthday Ross

 

New Zealand Holly

Zeus and Sammi caught under the New Zealand Holly. This tree was about 2 ft tall when Steve planted it many moons ago. I've always loved it, but now it's more impressive than ever. It's a shame it's not in flower for longer, but I'll admire it whilst it is! 

Back To Lon Goed

Today was Sammi, Zeus and Meerah's special walk. Zeus of course walked on his lead, but I've photoshopped it out just for the sake of the photos.

Some Memories

Kaiah and Ross - Oct 2018

November 2018 - Jezi and Nico

So the day of mud was also Nov 2018

Sammi, Ziva and Asha 

Kaiah, Loki and Ross - Nov 2018

Baby Orin - June 2020 - There are so many more photos, generations of dogs walking parts of this path. I must go more often!

Make Do

The others had to make do with the field, but during 2 walks I had to get that woolly twat out of the field 4 times, poor Zeus even had to be walked on the lead on our own grounds. The bastard thing even stood her ground with him when I tried to get her out. Excuse the profanities, but she really is a pain, if I could catch her I'd put her and her lamb in the van and take them on a one way trip to Nebo or something!

My Lovelies - Orin and Siska

Sammi and Meerah

Llwybr Bryngwyn - It Started Very Badly!

After picking up some bits from Tesco, I decided to walk along the Bryngwyn path, starting by Hafod Lwyfog Kennels. (I wonder if it's still open?) I hadn't been here in a few years, and initially went wrong and ended up in Rhos Isaf. ( I have been there with a young Orin.) The entrance to the path was different, the rough area was fenced off and there were a couple of very friendly horses there. Further along down the steps to the private land, the grass had been cut and it all looked very tidy. (I remember a young Ross desperate to get through to the pond!) 

Anyway, we'll start at the van, I was parked in the small area available and got Beti out of the van and onto her lead. I opened the crate to get Ross out and we struggled and fought as I tried to get the lead over his head, he was having none of it and with his sheer brut strength pushed passed me out and on to the road. For what seemed like an age I tried to catch him, as he whizzed up and down the grass verge, totally ignoring me. Beti was pulling in all directions and he was taking absolutely no notice of me. By the time he picked his spot for a pee I was fuming with him ... Ross always listens, just to prove, always for the best of them is not every time! 

There area lot of kissing gates on the path, but the fencing to some of the fields leaves a lot to be desired and I found myself following 2 sheep with 3 lambs from one gate to the other in one section. Ross doesn't chase sheep, but knowing they would have to double back at some point I kept him on the lead in that section as well. Beti was on the lead for the whole walk, though with my shit grip I did drop it twice, but generally she's a good girl.

The walk got better, but warmer, at times it felt like I was in a sun trap. I was glad a few days of rain had filled the streams and ditches and the dogs had a great time running through them and splashing.  I remembered a walk here with Asha, and maybe Ziva and Sammi, I remember a lot more mud, and I also remember a walk here with Kaiah and Ross ... who decided he was bringing a tree home! 

Today was definitely one to add to the memory bank! 

Linda's Birthday Walk

My Lovelies 

What you doing there Linda? 

Lovely isn't it

Today Linda and I walked up from Lon Goed to Hendre Cennin which was the farm mentioned in the post about the lane earlier in the week. We then followed the single track road for a while admiring the stunning views ... now I've got a bee in my bonnet and I want to walk the five-mile walk from the top to the bottom!  

I Took The Collar Out

Some Fun In The Fields

Thank you so much to a lovely bunch of people who came to play in the field today, it was just wonderful to have a bit of normality back in my life for a few hours. It was so much fun, thanks again.

Beti - still in her Summer wear

Orin - as handsome as ever

Cracking photo of Meerah

Siska - Bored with it now!!!!

A short clip of Orin with Owen, Orin not even in second gear here. 

Zeus News

It's taken 4 years to achieve this, finally I'm able to leave Zeus with another dog around the house. Previously he'd get overexcited, any dogs left with him would get fed up or stressed. What I started to do whilst Steve was in hospital was to shut him in the garden, but closing only the baby gate and not the door, then I'd leave Sammi in the middle room. Over time, I started leaving the gate open, yes there were setbacks, but I decided to persevere and we eventually got there, it's only taken 4 years!!! LOL 

As I mentioned the other day, the next step is to get him spending more time with Meerah, but I think walking them together would be the best way forward here. I think left with her around the house this early on he'd get overexcited, but yeah, lets do it slowly and see where we go.

I have to give the devil his due, since Steve's fall, Zeus hasn't been a bit of trouble ... Onwards and forwards then, eh. ("Upwards" .. Yes I know!!!!)

Cats Two X Two

Isla and Luther, Archie and Choo, Jamie and Perry 

 

Emotional Ramblings

Your dreams can only be shattered so many times before they become your nightmares. If I could just have one Champion dog, then I'd be sailing on cloud nine for years to come. The big problem is, I love my dogs as individuals more than I love the "sport." Pet/show owners may not consider that a problem, they would consider it a blessing, "show"people may well see my dilemma. In a "Show home" puppies who lose the early potential are re-homed and the mother is mated again to different bloodlines. I don't actually see the harm in that, actually I consider it the best course of action as long as these puppies/young dogs are rehomed carefully into pet homes to live life to the full, then they are not left to live their lives in kennels as rejected show dogs. I consider my dogs pets who go to shows and not just show dogs, there is a difference. My dogs live the pet dog lifestyle, they live in the house and get walked not just "exercised" for the show ring, they get treats, cuddles and as much love as I can give them. Some of you may recall John Mclain asking me why my dogs are so obsessed with me? Hell I don't know, I hope I give them the best I can, there is great love, but also discipline here, we do run an organised ship. 

Last night I sobbed my heart out again after chatting to a friend about her preparations for "The Sieger." I'm really enthusiastic for her and I wish her all the best, but that doesn't change the fact that I feel sorry for me and mine. Like me, she's worked hard to get where she is, but after 30 - 40 years of dedication to this breed neither of us have really managed to get any of our dogs close to the top, no, not even once. Her dogs live like mine do, if it stays it stays so I guess there is less chance of getting the big winner. In Beti I really thought I had it, but with her elbow abnormality even if she does have a successful show career she can not be bred from. I would never consider re-homing Beti, she came here and made me smile when I was at my lowest, and she continues to make me smile every day, but the "Blanik" line can not carry on through Beti. 

Cards on the table, and I haven't said this about anyone in a long time, but I am disappointed in Meerah, by that I mean in her show/breeding potential. She is far too big and has a noticeable short steep croup. Though she may have a family expression, her current conformation is not representative of either of her parents or any of her "Blanik" ancestors. I know things can change, I know she may well look better in a years time, but currently, well I am considering whether at the end of August I take her out of the ring for 6 months or so ... we'll see. Of course the "show person" would get those hips x rayed now, then with all the necessary information they would re home her and take Siska to a dog of totally different bloodlines! I honestly can see the benefits to that here. I currently do not need more dogs, but clocks are ticking and I have two years at the most for Siska to have a second litter, and when my desired female comes to Orin, I'll have to go for it when ever it is. (Yes, I've told Steve!) The "desired" female is Beti's age, well a month older, so her owner will probably want to mate her within the next year ... that is their call not mine but if I've any chance of carrying this line, that is so precious to me, forward, then I have to go back to the drawing board with Orin and Siska. With hindsight, maybe I should have kept a K litter female, it would probably have been Ginger, but hell never any regrets of having Orin here, he's very special to me, though in my emotional state last night I did tell Steve that I need to learn to make better decisions! 

So going back to Meerah, I am willing to give her time as I know it's an odd age, and I can only hope that she'll just take time and look more balanced as she gets older. What's difficult to know is whether she should go in the ring looking like this just to gain experience, or whether she should stay at home till she's "show ready?" It's a hard one isn't it as we know what people are like! Anyway just to put things into prospective, here are two photos of Loki, in April 2015 at 9 months and a year later at the same show in April 2016. I'm using photos of Loki as he was a tall male and I remembered how leggy he was as a teenager.  I guess there is hope!  I must apologise for my emotional ramblings, whether here or on the phone, hopefully things will get better!

Lon Goed

"Y Lôn Goed (Tree Lane in English), is in a quiet, agricultural area of ​​Gwynedd. The road, which winds its way through the countryside for about five miles from the sea at Afonwen near Pwllheli to Hendre Cennin near Bryncir, was probably built between 1819 and 1828 under the direction of John Maughan, steward of the Talhenbont Estate, Plas Hen, to facilitate the transport of lime, coal and peat. The logic behind the trees was that they would help drain the land, making it easier for the estate farmers to carry lime from the kiln at Afonwen to the different farms and thus improve the soil. Traffic ceased on Lôn Goed in the early 1860s with the arrival of the railway to Bryncir and Afonwen." (Information "borrowed" from Facebook)

This is a beautiful walk and we park at the Bryncir end of the walk. Maybe one day we should put a vehicle at both ends and walk all the way down. Anyone up for it? 

Today we took Ross and Beti, so everyone has had a special walk this week, and I've had three special walks. After doing the walk Linda and I went exploring another section of a walk going in the opposite direction. From what I can see online further up that track takes us up towards a farm, and out onto a single track lane, but hell with a couple of dogs in tow I think we'll have to go back to find out.