I appear to have had something called a birthday last Sunday. I am told that I was fifteen years old which, in human years, makes me quite ancient, a little dusty and somewhat crumbly. Of course, being a stray, orphan or rejected fur, no one really knows when my actual birthday was so I am happy to get some sort of celebration.
As a result of my birthday I was loaded into my car prison cell and transported to an unknown destination. I was promised fun, plenty of shenanigans and plenty of belly rubs, head scritches and ear ruffles. Lenny came along for the ride and we looked quizzically at each other when loaded into the car. Down the lane, turn right, turn right again, follow the road for miles and miles and miles, turn left, turn right, drive along a motorway and then turn left along a narrow road. We could smell something familiar but couldn’t quite put our paw on what it may have been. As soon as we had parked up and the boot was opened we saw the most welcoming face of Sasha beagle who greeted us in typical fashion. This seemed to make a few people in the vicinity smile and laugh. Out of the car and onto our paws. Welcome to the Wirral Way the sign said. We had arrived at a place called Thurstaston and it looked really nice.
Once the humans had got their greetings completed, we led the way along the gravel path. I was immediately accused of pulling like a steam train and told to slow down due to me being of advanced years. I took no notice as we strolled along the path all the while avoiding the joggers, cyclists and other walkers coming toward us. After a while we turned right and headed along a small lane toward the river Dee. As we wandered out onto the beach I could see Wales on the opposite shore and I felt happy to see the land of my birth. Along the sandy beach we strolled (read pulled like a steam train). Lenny and Sasha walked nicely and they were very politely walking alongside each other, when Sasha wasn’t running ahead and having a lovely time.
That’s Wales over there!
Along the beach we went, sniffing and trying to eat any dead washed up sea creatures, all the while being watched by the parentals who were trying to ruin our fun. Up the steps and back toward the cafe. We knew what was coming next as the question was asked “Ice cream anyone?”. Us furs didn’t get any delicious looking ice cream. We had to sit and be good whilst the humans ate their delicious looking ice creams. After a while we were moved along again and found ourselves being loaded back into our travel crates for the return journey. We said our sad goodbyes and we really hope to see Sasha again soon.
SashaLennyMe
We arrived home and were, for some reason, really rather tired. We managed to sleep until at least our evening dinner, which was a miracle for me, apparently. What a great day, in a lovely place, with brilliant weather and an ace way to celebrate my birthday. I am a very, very lucky lad.
We awoke to the normality of a Wednesday. Nothing unusual, awry or out of place. As we rubbed our eyes, we saw the opportunity for some early morning bitey face shenanigans so Lenny & I crept stealthily toward each other. At this point a low rumble and growl came from nearby and we looked around to see a dad shaped object glaring at us. We wandered around yawning and stretching noisily instead as this is a safer method of waking our parents from their slumber.
Off across the field in front of the house so we could sniff the creatures who had wandered through here overnight. There was plenty of scent for Lenny and I to bay at thankfully. Back home, clean paws, sit nicely (no chance) and breakfast is provided. Then we were back to our beds to let the food settle as, apparently, prolonged bitey face after eating is not good for the digestive systems of beagles. Suddenly we were being harnessed up and ushered out of the door. We walked past the car which always raises suspicion and off across the field. Over the bridge, turn left along the road and then right into the train station. There are many snacks which people have kindly dropped but which we are not allowed to consume whilst we are waiting for the train. As it pulls in, we are encouraged to board quickly and soon we are whizzing along to, who knows where. It turns out that at the next stop we are disembarked from the train and off we wander up to Ludlow for a stroll about. Along the road, turn right, straight on, turn left and down the hill toward the river Teme. Turn right at the bottom of the road and we find ourselves in the garden centre whilst our assistants decide what they need to make our garden bloom and blossom this year and beyond. Out of the shop and across the bridge we turn right up a set of steps and it was at this point that Lenny realised he was attached to an assistant who hadn’t quite appreciated how muddy the path was.
St Laurence ChurchLudlow Castle
Sadly for Lenny he was reined in significantly and he was unable to show his assistant the muddiest, slippiest sections of the path. This path is called the Bread Walk and is an old path through the town. Along the path, down the steps, over the bridge and back up into town we went. Through the market which was quiet and then a stroll around the town looking in shop windows. Many of the places are dog friendly which is good but this requires that the dogs in question aren’t naughty and want to mess about all the time, speak with other dogs, meet every human and then not settle. I’m not sure which of me or Lenny this jibe was aimed at but the glances seemed to be in my direction. As it was we strolled down the hill and the assistants took a doleful look at the very inviting Ludlow Brewery building. Then they looked at me, rolled their eyes and made our way to the train station for the return journey. As we got back to our house we were released into the garden. At this point we demonstrated exactly why we don’t go to many places. Lenny and I whizzed around the garden chasing every scent, baying at the top of our lungs and digging holes or eating the currants that the rabbits had kindly left for us. After 30 minutes or so we were herded back indoors and flopped lazily on our beds for a well earned rest.
So we come to part two. Thursday morning broke cold and bright as Lenny and I attempted another round of bitey face shenanigans before 7am. We were rudely interrupted by what I can only describe as a big grizzly bear glaring at us, so we decided it was safest to retreat to our beds. However we were in for a surprise as our morning was commenced soon after with a stroll across the field in front of the house and then back for breakfast. Shortly after breakfast both Lenny and I realised that our harnesses had not been removed so we were to be easily shackled to our respective assistants. This time we did not avoid the car and we were duly loaded into our travel cells for a trip. It was to be a surprise for us apparently and, wow, what a surprise it turned out to be. For some clarity we have a pal who lives close by. We had seen that he had been on an adventure and it had been decided that we would do a “dry run” to see how long it took to get there, what it was like and then we could look at going again in the future. So it was that we turned right out of the lane, left along the main road, right at the food centre and then followed the road for what seemed to be miles and miles and miles (you get the picture). We went past a sign that proudly announced Croeso i Powys. Past the sign, along the road, turning left and right and deeper in Wales we ventured. As we arrived at our destination the boot of the car was opened and we breathed in the fresh country air. We had arrived at Elan Valley.
That’s a long way downHow many gallons of water!
It was quiet which is apparently the best situation when you have two loud and excitable beagles to wrangle. As we hopped out we made sure everyone knew we had arrived and off we went on our patrol. Up some steep steps alongside a rather forbidding looking wall and we summited to find our view of the reservoir stretching away into the far distance. The wall turned out to be the dam holding back some 8 billion gallons of water! If we had known, we would have taken the path closer to the road instead of the one closest to the dam. Thankfully the path alongside the reservoir is flat and easy for all people to access.
This is fun.
The sun shone and reflected off the surface of the water, the hills towered all around us, the information boards told us facts about the place and, all in all, we were loving walking along having a great time.
As we followed the path to the right of the water we decided not to cross the bridge but to carry on along the waters edge. The path got muddier, the tree roots more slippery and the muttering from Lenny’s assistant grew louder. We walked through the wooded path, listening to the birds in the trees and I was looking out for Nessie in the water. Stopping for some water, Lenny and I were noticeably flagging in our efforts to pull and sniff on our leads to try and scent every aroma. As I am an elderly fellow, and yet incorrigible in my inability to act my age, it was decided for us that we would turn around and head back to the start.
Spot the interloper!
After some further considerable pulling on our respective leads we found ourselves back at the car. We had some emergency biscuits which had, inexplicably, been left in the car and we were loaded in for the return journey. Apparently we feel asleep within a few minutes of starting on the way home. We have no idea as me and Lenny were looking at the insides of our eyelids. Having arrived home we strangely didn’t fancy a whizz around the garden preferring instead to wander quietly to our respective beds for a short snooze.
We are going again as, according to our assistants, the trip had the desired effect of quietening us down for the rest of the day and indeed I am still a little sluggish whilst I dictate this article. If you have the chance to go to Elan Valley and walk along the reservoir, do it. The people are very friendly as we found out when announcing ourselves in the visitors centre and then as we pulled eagerly along the path. The sun shone, the paths were easy, the scenery was spectacular and best of all we were tired (my assistant wrote that last bit).
Well, where do I start on this little adventure? We were rudely awoken yesterday and surprised to see that we were being hustled around for our normal morning, pre breakfast routine. Usually it’s a somewhat slower pace on a Sunday morning. Yesterday it was collars on, harnesses on and travel bags checked, before we wandered around the garden. We were then hooked up for a brief walk across the field in front of our house. We returned quickly and whilst we ate our breakfast we noticed that items were being loaded to the car. Soon after we had finished eating we were again hustled outside and found the car boot being opened and we were invited to jump into our travel crates. Never ones to turn down the chance of an adventure, we found ourselves duly locked away and we were off, who knows where. Down the lane, turn right, along the road, turn right, keep going around the windy wiggly road to a big roundabout and then left along another road. We had settled in as we sensed we were going somewhere we had not visited before so this could be exciting. We saw the sign that said “Welcome to Wales” as we sped past it. As long as it wasn’t the vets, we were sure it would be fun. An hour after being loaded into the car we parked and the boot was opened. We were in a car park, on our own, no other cars or people. This didn’t look like fun!
Out of the car and off we trotted, all the while hoping that this little trip would improve. Turning a corner into another car park we sensed that friends were nearby and, sure enough, there looming into view were three of our beagle buddies, Smudgey, Ted and Griff. We greeted each other in usual beagle fashion attracting many peoples attention whilst doing so. We still weren’t sure where we were, but the trip had got better just by seeing our friends, especially as Smudgey & Ted lived in France so this was a long way from home for them. As we wandered along our noses smelled another pal. We strolled along a path when the wonderful Sasha beagle came into view. She had brought her friend Luna, a Black Labrador, along for some company. We hadn’t noticed much of our surroundings until this point but there was a lot of water and some narrow boats very close by. We had arrived at the Llangollen Canal for a meet up.
Apparently there was a aqueduct built by Thomas Telford a very famous civil engineer who also oversaw the building of the Menai Straits Suspension Bridge, The Shrewsbury Canal, The Ellesemere Canal (both in Shropshire), The Caledonian Canal in Scotland and the original A5 road. He was a clever man. Anyway back to the adventures. Once we had all greeted each other we set off toward the aqueduct with Lenny in the lead.
Lenny, Smudgey, Ted and myself
As we got onto the aqueduct itself we saw that Lenny was trying to poke his head through the railings and at a few points actually had his shoulders through them. The drop to the river beneath is 126 feet (38 metres) and Lenny seemed to be quite spooked with trying to cross the aqueduct which is 1,008 feet in length (307 metres) and all with iron railings to one side. As Lenny wasn’t feeling safe or confident on the crossing we decided to just admire the structure from the safety of ground level. It is indeed a wonderful feat of engineering. Anyway the Llangollen Canal runs from the town of Llangollen up to and over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct so we thought we would take a stroll along the canal towpath toward Llangollen. We strolled and chatted, all the while watching the narrowboats glide past us.
People were canoeing in the canal too, somewhat oblivious to the light rain and drizzle that was falling intermittently. I was dragging my human along, huffing and puffing like the proverbial steam train, Sasha tried to get on board one of the moored narrowboats, Luna walked along enjoying the company, Smudgey & Ted drank some water from the canal and walked through the muddiest of the puddles, Griff wandered along sniffing the grass and then occasionally running to catch up with the rest of us whilst Lenny strolled along taking in all the sights and scents he could now he had his paws safely on terra firma.
Sasha
After a few miles we turned round as people were getting hungry and thirsty so we returned to the canal basin to the south of the Aqueduct.
The local cafe which had been recommended to us was “rammed” so we wandered quickly along to The Telford Inn just as the heavens opened. Everyone sat for a while chattering, eating some snacks and chattering some more. I would point out at this juncture that the “cheesy chips” we saw in bowls on the table did not sadly make their way into us. In fact we were all quite tired and slept or looked out of the window waiting for the rain to stop. Smudgey and Ted said their goodbyes to us as they had to leave earlier than the rest of us. It was good to see them again and to catch up on their news.
We left and wandered back to the cars to say our farewells to one another after a great day of seeing a new place, meeting old buddies (and Luna of course) and having a good time. Hopefully we can all meet up again soon as it’s always good to make friends. I’m not sure we will be asking Lenny to try and cross aqueducts though, maybe he’s best with his feet well and truly grounded. For some reason Lenny & I slept for the whole return journey, before managing a slow wander around the garden. It is alleged that I slept like a puppy last night.
Lastly all the photographs are thanks to our wonderful friends who met up with us.
There we were last Sunday morning, awakening to the sunlight streaming through the gap in the curtains where Lenny peeks out into the garden, hoping to see rabbits or squirrels cavorting across our grounds. Somewhat deflated on this occasion he returned to his bed and laid there nibbling a patch of fur on his leg which was giving him the itches.
When the parents connected us to our leads and harnesses we had no idea what was about to occur. Out of the garden and Lenny was immediately onto a strong scent. He didn’t make it past the car. Suddenly we were being loaded into our prison crates for another adventure. We fairly leapt into the car and settled down for the trip ahead. Out of the road, turn right, right again, then left after a while. Follow the road was the comment from the front of the car. As the road snaked away we realised that we were somewhere new when we passed a sign that said “Powys Croeso i Gymru”. We turned right and slowly climbed the hill, along narrow lanes which needed some careful navigation. After a while we arrived in a carpark along a very narrow and bumpy lane. The boot was opened and scent filled our noses. Welcome to Roundton Hill Nature Reserve read the sign on the gate.
Roundton Hill was an Iron Age hill fort around 2,000 years ago. Since then it has been grazed and even used for mining precious metals. Nowadays it’s an excellent lookout point for the surrounding area. Out of the car and along the grass track, through the gate and up the hill, head right and through the next gate, across the field and still we were climbing. We could peek through the hedge at the landscape beyond and we were loving every moment.
Our noses were to the ground and I was puffing like a steam train uphill and down dale, through gates and across fields. As we passed through the last gate we realised we had gone slightly the wrong route but it didn’t matter as the views away into Wales were great.
We saw the top of Roundton Hill and vowed to come back soon so we could try to get to the summit. Retracing our steps we descended to the car and were returned to our travel crates for the journey home.
I am originally from Wales, so it was good to see where I came from. The views were great and it was really quiet, apart from the sheep bleating and the odd errant song of the beagle breed. We have been promised a return so we can actually summit Roundton Hill. For now we sleep and dream of a good day had by all.
Sometimes Lenny and I have a few minutes to spare. We like to check up on one another, make sure we are happy and to swap yarns and tall stories about the things we got up to before we became a noisy duo. Oh erm, Happy New Year to you all.
Lenny: Dex, do you like living here? Dex: I do, Lendog. Its very different from the last place but its cosy and comfy. Even the carpets are warm and I can stretch out on the floor. What about you then, Lendog? Lenny: It’s pretty good here. I dont like that the garden is way smaller than our last one but the house is warmer and we have stairs to chase one another up and down.
Dex: Would you go back to the previous house then? Lenny: No. I would bring the old garden with all its scents and smells here. Then we could run around like a couple of idiots.
Lenny: So we’ve been here nearly a year and I have settled in to the new routine, I think. Dex: Lendog, you settled within twenty minutes. You just leapt on your bed and were snoozing before the removals guys had finished. I, on the other paw, took another month or so to feel at home. I struggle to feel settled quickly, there seems to be too much else for me to understand and explore.
Lenny: New paths, new woods and new roads to explore. What do you think are your favourites? Dex: All of them. We dont have as many places to explore here so we need to make sure we enjoy them all as much as possible. It helps that there are squirrels everywhere. What are your favourites, Lendog? Lenny: Well, now you ask I like the longer walk I do with dad, down to the top end of Storrington and Sullington. Its mostly on the road but sometimes we return home through the little footpath between the fields and then over the little wooden bridge. I did like the circular walk to Thakeham but since the farmer has ploughed up the path with the tractor we are banned from going that way. Dex: Do you miss the old walks then Lendog? I know I do, I used to like the strolls around the big field in Botley, the walk up to Chalfont Woods and the ride on the tube? Lenny: Yes, I do miss them. The circular Pednor walk as well as running through the fields at Mayhall were always good, fun walks. I think we may have to persuade them to take us back, even if only for a day. Dex: If I could bring back those walks I would be happy. Having said that, I am slowing down now and I’m not sure I could manage one of the six or seven mile walks I used to regularly pull one of our parents around. Lenny: True story Dex. I would also be very happy if I could have those walks again. Maybe it was the familiarity of them as well as being directly on our doorstep. There are too many places here which are fenced off and out of bounds to us.
Lenny: Have you met next doors cat yet, Dex? Dex: No buddy I haven’t. Most people in the village would have known about it if we had bumped into each other. I haven’t properly met the little dog at the other end of the road yet either. In fact there is another dog in the farmhouse opposite that we haven’t been allowed to say hello to? I think we are missing out on something. Lenny: I don’t know what I would do if I met the neighbours cat. I would probably aroo loudly and then try to play bitey face with it.
Lenny: We went to the beach quite a few times this year. It was fun as we could get out and about in the fresh air and enjoy an early morning stroll along the edge of the sea. Dex: Yes we did enjoy ourselves, especially the part about eating all the dead washed up stuff that came from the ocean. I’m not sure if our parents enjoyed our trips as much but, hey, they only needed to clean up for three or four days afterwards. Lenny: I remember that. Somehow they didn’t think we would try to eat all the smelly dead stuff that has washed up in previous tides. Dex: And we got to see grandad more often, which is always a bonus as we can teach him the art of good tickles and belly rubs. I am quite proud we have shown him that not all dogs are bad or naughty. Lenny: You were training him before I came onto the scene, so thats all your own work. I just turned up, saw he was half trained and then set about helping you finish off his studies.
Dex: So, Lenny, what do you remember about your life in Cyprus? Lenny: Not much now. It was nearly three years ago that I adopted all of you so I have been quite busy making sure I have my paws under the table here. Dex: Fair enough, I suppose you have had a lot of things to adapt to here. Is it different from your Cyprus life? Apart from the weather of course. Lenny: Indeed it is. I was a street dog for most of my very early life. I am not sure if I just escaped or was dumped from the hunters but I was very lucky to be picked up and rescued. There are far more rules here and I am still not wholly content with this lead and harness stuff. I know we are told its for our own safety and, mum and dad would be really upset if I got off, but it’s still quite restrictive. Dex: I agree with you about the lead and harness stuff. I went through a time where I was collar walked and I nearly strangled myself because of my utter insistence in chasing everything all the time. As you know I escaped three times and on each occasion, they were really worried about me doing something stupid. I think we are going to have to put up with harnesses, sadly. Lenny: So what do you remember about before you arrived here then, Dex? Dex: Almost nothing matey. It is so long ago now that I have had too many memories in between my arrival and today. I know I came from Wales originally but I don’t remember where. I know I was rescued, escaped, tried to play with a car and lost. After that I came to live with these two and have ruled the house ever since. Well, until you arrived that is. Then the dynamic changed once more and I had to learn how to live with another dog. I was confused at first but you didn’t push in too much on important stuff like food and water so we didn’t need to squabble over those. The parents were quick to set down rules about eating and stuff like equal tickles or belly rubs so, again, we didn’t need to squabble over those.
Dex: So, overall, you enjoy living here? Lenny: I suppose so. The house is nice and we get to run up and down the stairs playing bitey face games. The garden is way too small for us but the squirrels seems to have emigrated south with us. What about you, Dex? Dex: Me? Yeah. The other garden was way better, both in size and places to sniff and play. However I can lay in about ten different places here in the house and we can get some downtime from each other which is good. I’m a bit older than you so I need my naps, despite being alert whenever I am awake. It seems to be warmer and more cosy here. We need to find some other walks and adventures nearby in time for Spring so we can go off exploring again. There aren’t as many walks as before.
Lenny: I’m hungry. I think we’ve solved the problems of the world. I think it’s time to go and pester a parent for food. Dex: Good idea Lendog, lead the way.
Dexter 