Jolly January

It’s been a generally good month with our first trip to Roddlesworth, which readers over the past 12 years will know was a favourite haunt for me and Finney.  It was a tough walk, with Marley over excited as usual until I found a quiet spot to let him off lead.  It was great to see him running round and he was far calmer afterwards.  Sadly though he is so excited when he sees runners and cyclists I have to keep him close in most environments whilst our trains continues.

Cue this week and whilst doing our usual stay training (on lead) near a busy road a group of runners go by.  It was a brilliant training opportunity made even more exciting when they stopped for a spontaneous photo, with Marley as their mascot. 

Arnside Knott - First Trigpoint

I love Arnside. So far as shortish walks go, the walk along the Kent Estuary and up to the trigpoint, with views over Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells, is as good as they get. 

Yesterday was Marley’s first visit to this wonderful place. With the tide turning, and on the way out, the muddy shores were ours to enjoy alone for the most part. That meant some off lead time, but also an horrendously muddy dog!  Heading up to the Knott there was no sign of tiredness in Marley. He pretty much dragged me up, and back down. It was lovely to be back though, and it remains one of my favourite places. 

The Sparrowhawk and a walk on Formby beach

Fabulous day today. We booked in for lunch at the Sparrowhawk in Formby, which I’ve never visited before. It was very welcoming and the food was gorgeous. To cap it all, Marley was really well behaved, giving me my most relaxing meal out since we first took him to a pub in September. After lunch it was time for a walk on the beach. It was too busy for us, but still nice. Love days off!

The Old Tram Road and Avenham Park - Happy New Year!

It feels like years, and probably is, since I walked along the old tram road to Avenham.  Seemed like the right thing to do and leave the car on the drive this morning for obvious reasons.  Things have certainly changed.  The new estate on Wateringpool Lane, once a big field where I played ball with Finney, is now complete. A little further on, the new bridge which will link with our end of The Cawsey to create the so called cross borough link road, is almost complete.  Not looking forward to the extra traffic but assuming there is access from it to the footpath below it will be much easier for us to walk this way.  Headed down to Avenham not much has changed.  Lots of cyclists, walkers, joggers and a horse en route.  Marley pulled on the lead all the way. His heel work which was coming on so well has gone to pot in the past few weeks. More chicken needed I think, as bits of beef had no effect today!

Walking back, we stopped off at Middleforth Park for a quick run off lead, cut short by a rather annoying fellow dog walker who wouldn’t give us space despite us being tucked away in the far corner of the park.

2 hours later and Marley is still tired, as am I.  It’s hard work holding back a pulling puppy for 5 miles!

The last month has seen him calm down a little.  He is so excitable around kids, (and bikes, and joggers) but we made it through Christmas Day on the lead without incident. Also had a trip to Derbyshire, which was fine.  We have had a couple of trips to the lakes. Yesterday to Skelwith Bridge and the Talbot, lovely steak and ale pie and very dog friendly, followed by a short walk along the lake in Bowness.  A few weeks ago we went to Grasmere and Tweedies Bar. Again, very dog friendly and after a wander round Ambleside revisited the Giggling Goose Cafe, still as good as ever.

Whilst we’ve not yet been to the top of the moors we enjoyed a trip half way up Great Hill a few weeks ago, and a walk round Entwistle Reservoir.  I think now he needs more exercise so this week we will make it up to the top of something, weather permitting!