Walking with Lions in Blackpool

We discovered yesterday that our dog is afraid of lions, hardly unsurprising, but this walk on the edge of Blackpool gave an unexpected opportunity to find that out!

We parked up at the Devere Hotel, opposite Stanley Park, and walked a few yards back down the road before taking the path on the right which leads between the car park and Blackpool Zoo. The dog was able to be let off lead almost immediately and trotted of happily with his Springer Spaniel buddy before freezing in his tracks and sniffing the air with an uneasy look on his face. Puzzled by his behaviour, which wasn't mirrored by his carefree companion (who turned out to be more interested in a dog on heat coming round the corner) we took a look round and spotted the cause of his concern. High up on a rock to the left was a lion, proudly surveying his kingdom! Whether the dog actually spotted the lion is debatable, but the smell at least certainly spooked him.

Our walk continued on a well marked and occasionally muddy bridleway and footpath which skirted the edge of Herons Reach Golf Course towards Staining and back past Marton Mere. The route was busy with joggers and the occasional horse rider, and is clearly popular with dog walkers. The path was generally well sperated from the adjacent golf course and the dogs were off lead throughout. It took about an hour to complete the circuit. A good time was had by all.

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Doggy rating 7/10

Snowy strolls on Longridge Fell and Roddlesworth

After booking a last minute day off to make the most of the snow we headed off, rather tentatively, towards Longridge. Longridge Fell was our destination, and once we'd left the rush hour traffic behind we found clear roads and little more than a light dusting of snow settled on roadside verges.

We parked at our usual spot at Turner Fold, last visited on a fine sunny day last August. The track up through the woods was covered with just enough snow to give a real winter feel, and the dog enjoyed chasing endless snowballs without ever seeming to tire. After an hour or so we reached the trig point of Spire Hill and sat for a while watching the falling snow and drinking hot flask coffee. The walk back through the narrow forest tracks was like a scene from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe - wonderful!

After a monstrous lunch there was just time to visit another of our favourite spots, Roddlesworth Woods. Here there was rather more snow but the roads were clear and we were soon wandering again through forest tracks down to the reservoir. Again, the dog had a wonderful time chasing snowballs before amusing himself with his ball whilst the coffee made a reappearance and a tame and obviously hungry robin decided to perch on my shoulder (honestly!). The day was rounded off watching a deer stroll calmly through the woods, with the dog as usual completely oblivious.

Two fantastic off lead walks in one day - what dog could ask for more!