Early Indications ...

Yesterday, Orin cocked his leg in the kitchen. Yeah, shocking ... first time ever and I hope the last! This morning I let Orin and Siska out first thing, and he went straight after her bottom! In the fields he followed her everywhere and when she finally pee'd he spent a long time reading the letter. Beti and Ross were next out, they went straight to the place where she'd pee'd ... Siska is not in season ... but now I'm hopefully she soon will be.

In The Fields

Hiding from a shower on the boncan.

There was an ambulance parked outside next door this morning. I've heard from Dave that Pat has been taken ill, but I've idea what is going on but Steve and I are obviously concerned.

This morning, the hairdresser came over to cut our hair. Steve still finds it hard to walk the steep hill from the car park to Caernarfon high street. Ffion is lovely, and I actually feel that supporting local people is important. After cutting our hair she came into the kitchen for a cuppa, she was so taken with Ross that she said she didn't want to leave! 

After days of wind and rain, I was really pleased to be able to take everyone for a run in the fields this morning.  

Chris, Dexi and Arko

A photograph of a young "Chris," born in 1986, some say before his time, he was a dog that went on to change the history of the breed in the UK. His sire was the World Sieger Uran Vom Wildstrigerland, and the handler? Well, a teenage Stephen Cox. The photo was black and white and I changed it on AI, but I can't get the colour right, Chris was black and red tan, like our Dexi, his grandson.

Dexi was much more like Chris than his own Sire Arko Vom Huhnegrab who is in the second photo. I think Arko had better length of body with Dexi definitely being on the shorter side of the spectrum. I wish there were photos of Chris as an older dog, by then he was an international Champion and the sire of the breed record holder, Nilo. 

Dexi won a CC and 3 RCC's, his sister Aria winning 2 CC's and 1 RCC ... but I still think our greatest moment was being 3rd of 28 at The Two Day National, in 1997. (I think) Steve and I both shared the magic of that day, his company making it all even more special for me. So many have said that Dexi was a dog cheated of his title by having "the wrong owners, " we were newcomers and even then your face had to fit.

Winter, Footpaths And Dreams.

We are now well into the winter routine. I always dread the changes, but really we fall into it quite easily. The dogs have to share their time in the living room in the evening, no one is in the pen, but with Orin being more settled in the middle room, no one is in the crate either. So it's not crate and rotate, just rotate these days! I get up at 7am ish to let everyone out and feed them, then as I've said I go back onto/into the bed with a cuppa and some Facebook time. I like the dogs to have two hours between food and exercise, so we are good to go out well before 10am. There's only Beti who occasionally throws a kibosh into it by leaving her breakfast till I come back through, then eating it quickly before I can take it off her! 

The council has got back to me regarding the overgrown footpath in Dinas.

"Thank you for your message. I visited the site on Friday afternoon and managed to cut enough of the branches to reach the bridge. The footpath beyond the bridge is overgrown but the landowner had arranged for an alternative path to be cut earlier on this year but this is now also overgrown. The reason for the diversion is that the very tall garden wall is leaning towards the official line of the footpath and therefore the owner arranged for a temporary path to be cut in order to avoid the danger. The landowner has agreed to get this temporary path to be cut again within the next 2 weeks so that there will be a way around for walkers. The landowner hopes to take down the leaning wall as soon as possible next year. I will arrange for the wooden gate beyond the overgrown section to be replaced soon. "  Good news yeah ... I'll go back shortly. 

Last night I had the most vivid, ongoing and upsetting dream. I dreamt that all my dogs had been stolen and I was desperately trying to get them back. I was told that Asha and Jezi had been found and would be returned but that Orin and Siska had been killed. I was absolutely distraught and thought I'd woken up when I asked if there was news on Meerah and Beti? I was told that they didn't come into it as they had not arrived yet. I was told that Siska's body had been found and I saw it, but though they kept saying Orin had been killed there was no body. When I woke up I was very distressed, and I've not been able to shake the thoughts and images since. What on earth would cause such dreams? Why would my mind take me to such a distressing place??? Let's hope for sweeter dreams tonight! 

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!

Orin and Meerah

Orin has always objected to being left in the middle room, well unless he's in his crate, then he's calm and relaxed. If I left him loose in there, he would jump the baby gate and find himself wedged between the gate and the door. I always thought it was such a shame that during their time in there that he had to be shut in a crate. 

The other evening I'd been cooking and he and Siska were assisting (😉), I then came through into the living room for a short while and left them in the middle room with access to the kitchen as well .. hmm no tantrum. Over the last couple of days, I've left him loose with Siska in there for an hour in the afternoon and in the evening, no tantrum. Siska is still sleeping in her crate, her choice, but he's sleeping behind the door. I'm really happy with that, it means less time in crates for everyone, though I can't leave Meerah loose in there as she's still up to no good when left to her own devices! 

As I sat on the bed this morning with my cuppa, Steve was still snoring, though how he sleeps through Zeus' vocals when I'm preparing breakfasts and getting everyone else out is beyond me! Anyway I looked back at the three photos I'd taken the day before and thought how much Meerah had enjoyed walking with Beti and how good they were ... well hell, a lightbulb moment. Not every time, but often I could walk the two together, take Sammi, Zeus, Meerah and Beti in the van and do 2 x 2 with them too. Hell why not? Meerah is still very intimidated by Zeus, and that is concerning. Honestly, he only wants to play, but he's far too overpowering for her. I thought by now that he would have settled, or that she would have developed the strength of character to tell him, but it hasn't happened, he can be far too OTT in her company. I don't want to stop walking her with him, I need to try and make sure he still has a "friend"  for the future, but seeing how happy she was with Beti, well it has to be done, and I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier! 

Gerlan Cottage

I promised Steve I would do the Donkey field circuit twice and come home to help shift logs. He also promised not to do them without me. 

Breakfast is a nightmare with Beti, I gave it to her at 7.15am this morning, did my chorus, sat on the bed with my cuppa looking at Facebook and when I went back through at 8.45am, she hadn't touched it. I'd already told Steve that I was taking it off her today if she hadn't eaten ... and as usual as I approached her crate, she started to eat. Sorry too late Beti, I took it off her so we could go out walking. 

As soon as I started walking the rain started to pour, oh well, plod on. Beti and Ross having a lovely time running up and down the track as I struggled uphill. After doing a circuit of the "comin" we set off back down behind the quarry wall, you can see it from top to bottom so again "run and fun" for these two. About three quarters of the way down there is a gateway to fields where there are cows and sheep. Beti's bum disappeared around the corner. I called her, she came back, I praised her, and off she went, again her bum disappeared around the corner ... I suddenly felt uncomfortable and called her back again. She came thundering up the track, I gave her lots of praise, but then popped her on the lead. As I got to the opening, I was horrified to find the gates bent and buckled with plenty of room for a GSD to go through, well Ross did, but instantly came back. Wow, disaster avoided and well done Beti. As I continued walking I figured out that the free roaming cattle must have damaged the gateway. There was cow shit all over the track and the path was churned into slipper mud making it quite uncomfortable to walk. But yeah, well done Beti and Ross.

Because I'd walked Beti and Ross first I was able to feed Beti when I got back - yep she was hungry!

As so many of the path start from the donkey field, I decided not to go back that way, but to go down towards Gerlan with Orin and Siska. Yeah, I'd not been to the cottage in ages and I really enjoyed the walk down. I saw the lamas and went further to see the alpaca, Oh god they are adorable, but I've forgotten their names. Everywhere was so pretty, so colourful ... so I'm kind of glad I didn't end up doing the same walk twice.

An Extra Walk With Beti And Meerah

Well, it was pissing it down again this morning, but I took everyone around the fields. When I came in Steve told me he wanted to go to the aquatic shop in Penygroes. One of the white Mollies had died within less than 24 hrs of him getting it, and he wanted another one. Oh hell... I asked if he'd drop me off and I'd take the girls for a short walk ... and that we did. With limited time and heavy rain, I only took these three photos, but they are all nice enough to share. 

Sadly, the zip has gone on the Craghoppers charity shop coat. I've been wearing it for about a month or so and I wondered if it was always weak, but now with me in extra layers it can't take the strain? Two options, bin it and get another, and they expensive, or see what it would cost to get a new zip put on it. Must be worth a go. ***Edit to add, I don't believe it, it has another zip, don't ask, I've no idea, but I'm a happy bunny! 

My lovely bald girls are now chilling happily, and the molly is in the tank with the others. I think a lazy afternoon lies ahead! 

Cold In Cwm Dulyn

I've looked back, I was last in Cwm Dulyn on the 9th of October, I'd forgotten all about the lost glove, till I found it today. It was luck not judgement as I returned to one of my favourite spots for a photo. 

I was already in Tremadog by 10.30am and fully intended on walking around there, but it was raining so heavily that I thought I'd walk them in the shelter of the Lon Goed on the way back. The nearer I got to home, the brighter it was, so I decided to take them to Cwm Dulyn. 

A bit of a three-way stand-off, but can you see them all? 😁

Sammi and Meerah were obviously loose on the path and I giggled as I watched Meerah walk away from me. She's a tad proud of her tail and raises it a little, to relieve that not only had she left her coat at home, she'd also left her knickers!!! They tell me nothing looks much worse than a sable female going through a junior moult ... mind you, Ross looked pretty awful when he went through it too! With this being her first moult, I must admit I am looking forward to seeing what she'll look like in her next coat. 

By the time I got home, the log delivery had arrived and the weather was deteriorating here too. The wind was so bitter that my head was ringing. That's another lesson learned, put a spare hat in the van because the hood on the big coat simply does not stay up in the wind!!!

Walking In The Rain

The Autumn colours are still wonderful and though it was damp we enjoyed our walk. Ross and Beti, as usual, quite a handful as I set off, but they did settle. I'm sure they feed off each other's energy, and though there is a huge age gap, he's the brown clown he's always been. With a new place to park, I decided to walk on the footpaths around Penygroes and Llanllyfni. Unfortunately, following the councils visit, the footpath was not much better, very overgrown and one of the pallets was back on the floor in front of the gate. I moved it again! Much preferring to stay on footpaths than walk along the road I went back the way I came, but I did go all the way to the end, and I will continue to walk this track as it suits me to have it on the 2 x 2' walking list! 

*****

Orin and Siska had waited patiently in the van, but by the time I got back to them, the showers had turned into some serious rain. I'd wanted to do a circuit of the field adjoining the river, but my eyesight was failing me. Well I guess it was a combination of uneven ground, a very unclear footpath through the reeds, sheep now in the fields and the fact that no one has yet invented glasses with wipers! Anyway, I went half way, but in the interest of safety I went back. I'll try it again with the same dogs but in better weather! I have to say, my slightly expensive waterproof trousers from "Go Outdoors" did well, but no better than my £6 Cragghoppers coat from the charity shop. The only bit of me that was wet beneath the layers was the cuff of my right arm, not bad eh! 

On Orin and Siska's walk I saw a man in shorts walking a poodle, I thought, "oh well as you do," and then I saw another man with 2 Dachshunds, both dogs wearing coats. Ok fair enough it was pissing it down and they have very smooth coats. 10 out of 10 to the Lovelies for their manners! 

I've said it before but masculine and feminine optimised here.