Autumn

The absence of posts doesn’t mean we’ve not been out and about.  Not that we’ve done much different…most weekends we’ve walked somewhere by the sea or estuary. Walking along the wall at Fairhaven is now a favourite rather than a place to do training walks. It’s a little manic at times but when I look back I’m reminded of how far we’ve come.  Lytham Hall has remained a favourite although less so now the rain and mud have arrived. We’ve not been to the beach much, but through choice, as we’ve been happy enough wandering elsewhere. 

Morning and evening walks have been a bit dull lately. Roadworks have meant we’ve been a bit of an island here, and when it has rained heavily it gets flooded each way we walk. Happily, roadworks have now gone so we should get a bit more variety. 

There have been plenty of trips to the office since summer. It’s been the norm for at least a few days a week with a few trips away too. Working from home where you can is now back so for the next few weeks at least the dog will be happy. 

Looking forward Christmas and a week off in the new year!

Summer

Wow. Time flies and it’s so long since I did a blog entry.  It’s nearly autumn but summer has been good. Working from home has continued in the main. The dog is still a great work companion. Work hours are much longer than they would have been if in the office regularly so it doesn’t mean he gets walked lots more, but he is happy with company.  We had a few trips beyond Fylde over the summer, Scorton, Beacon Fell and Longridge Fell, but in the main we’ve spent time round the lanes, Lytham Hall, the Prom and up to St Anne’s from Fairhaven.  

The dog got spooked by a boisterous young pup back in June and took flight (he was happily safe) so not so much off lead walking lately other than with the long line on the beach. Think he would have taken off again on beacon Fell had he not been on the lead as two cockers decided to gang up on him.  I’ve never really had to worry about a nervous dog running off before so it’s definitely changed our habits in the past few months. 

Still feeling so lucky to have such amazing places to walk close by. We’ve been to the pub again a couple of times which was hard work. Lunch in the garden is easier!  All in all it’s been a good summer and we are currently on another holiday at home with a dose of antibiotics for infected anal glands- lovely!  Hope we get back to Cornwall next year and everyone else goes abroad once more!

Springtime walks and garden galore

Spring has arrived, with lighter evenings, warm sunshine and since Monday visits to gardens. It’s been a great few weeks!  A week off meant lots of morning walks on the beach followed by digging borders in the garden. The dog had a ball!  This week has been amazing, with a few friends and family in the garden at various times, a couple of trips to see others close by, and best of all playing with his ‘new’ cousins and the twins. Life has been tiring being a springer spaniel this week!

As always, Easter is generally for staying local. A far cry from the worry of last year when I wasn’t sure whether off lead walks would be a thing of the past!

We seem to have pretty much cracked visitors and the boys now. No worries provided they play with him and don’t try to play football without him! Birds are a bit of a nightmare at times, but at times rather than all the time! 

Running ended with an injured knee in early March. Hopefully one day we’ll be back to it.  Until then, we will continue to love our walks. 

Lockdown 3 - More of the same

Here we are in February.  Lockdown 3 continues.  No chance of a huge amount of excitement these days but we have enjoyed walks down the Lane and a few trips to the Green or the beach for a run off lead.  We’ve had plenty of ice and a little snow over the past few weeks, but nothing like we’d have found on the moors.  Walking in heavy snow on the beach at Lytham made a change though. Couch25k continues and the dog is making a good running companion. Of course it means we are going a bit further than we would a few times a week, so despite lockdown plenty of exercise.  Can’t wait for warmer weather though and to be able to sit in the garden. 

Like plenty of other dogs he is enjoying work, lying quietly through daily Teams calls.  A year ago I’d not have imagined it.  I don’t suppose we will see normality this year, but maybe some walks with family by Easter.  In the meantime, we will continue to enjoy what we have around us.

Beaches, lanes and lockdown 3

 So, we’ve made it to January!  December was pretty good in terms of walks.  Lots of weekend trips to the beach at St Annes which was great, and a few evening walks along the Green at Lytham.  Christmas wasn’t quite the Christmas we’d planned, with just the three of us and Zoom calls on Christmas Day.  It was lovely to get on the beach on Christmas morning though, with the weather being particularly kind.  January was always going to be difficult, we knew that with so many mixing on Christmas Day, but lockdown 3 came quickly as we started a week off work.  It was back to the lanes nearby for walks this week, nice but not as nice as a run on the beach.  There’s been plenty of social media debate about driving for exercise, and I would if I or the dog needed it, but the general guidance is to stay local to your village, town or part of your city.  For us that’s meant the lanes for the past few days. The dog has enjoyed himself though, with a good long walk every day and week 1 of couch to 5k thrown in along the way, and a bit of snow and ice.  He’s a very athletic dog and will make a good running companion over the coming weeks, particularly as there’s nowhere great to let him off lead on the doorstep