August fun part 1

We ended up with a bonus Friday all together so I offered to show Andy around Roadford Lake where Dart and I had previously had a good walk. It was hot, hot, hot but not busy at all - and this time I knew to go to a 'local knowledge' hidden car park which isn't pay and display ;) Well worth a visit, for the cracking cafe if nothing else!

Roadford Lake

Next day we had a morning appointment with Loyalty for Dogs, a local business who welcome your dog in to their family and home (rather than traditional kennels) to see if they would consider adding Dart to their books for day care and boarding. Becky was friendly, welcoming and efficient - clearly dogs are her and her husbands whole life and we felt confident that Dart would be well cared for and have a fabulous time with them.

I've been wanting to check out local cycling and walking route, the Granite Way. Andy managed to come up with a plan t make a more interesting circular walk. The views from half-way point Meldon Viaduct were quite awesome.

Granite Way

We finished a great day by leaving the dog at home for a bit and treating ourselves to a well earned drink at Toast.

Sunday 5th August was set to be a stunning summers day so we thought we'd head to the beach. My bright idea was Crantock Beach as it's huge. Epic fail. We weren't in a big hurry getting out and by the time we arrived all the car parks and surrounding roads were jam packed. Definitely should have known better!! Luckily for us as we headed along the coast we found a space not far from one of our faves Polly Joke beach. I shouldn't really give away our secrets but this beach never seems too touristy - perhaps because it doesn't have toilet/cafe etc facilities. It was such a lovely day, I even went in the sea in my bikini - no wetsuit - I am usually found giving it a miss and keeping my nose in a book or playing with Dart :)

Haven't seen my brother Tom and his family since February, just before we moved, and have missed them so much! We've been hugely looking forward to their visit.

We spent a great day together starting with a fabulous lunch at Toast, then we went round the Museum of Dartmoor Life which was better than I expected and kept the little ones (and me!) engaged with various fun activities. I never made it to the St Albans museum when we lived there, and the same was true for the Tring Natural History museum, so quite proud I managed this one ;)

The kiddies adventure play area in Simmons Park kept them amused for quite a while and we also stopped off at Okehampton Station for a nose around as young Alfie is mad on train lines.

Everyone enjoyed seeing the gorgeous ponies and foals on the farm, and super bravery was shown when meeting loony Dart on our return home. Once the little ones had survived my spag bol and crashed out for the night, Tom, Miriam, Andy and I tucked in to the red wine..... We so loved spending some time with them all and can't wait to have them visit our new home!

We had a bonus afternoon out as we were invited up to North Devon to meet with the gorgeous Hurford's, friends from Tring, and their fun-filled cavapoo Pippa. We met in the Sandleigh tea room and enjoyed delicious cakes and cream teas before a nice long walk around Baggy Point with plenty of chances for the dogs to run around and play together.

What a lovely afternoon in the beautiful Croyde sunshine and so wonderful to catch up with my beautiful friend Lorraine. Dart absolutely loved playing with little Pippa! Plans already in place to meet up again in the new year :)

It has always been the plan to have Dart neutered and it was recommended at his six month check up (Dart is not lacking in testosterone!) so we thought we might as well get it out of the way while we're with a good vet and both around to look after him. Dropped him off early in the morning and it was a strangely quiet day without him.

Operation was a success and we picked up a very dopey pup. Sorry for himself, off his food and water and sleepy but later in the evening he managed some scrambled egg.

Next couple of days and you'd hardly know he's just had surgery!

Vets have asked us to keep him very quiet for TEN DAYS (help) with only up to ten minute walks a few times a day and always on his lead. He is sporting a giant cone to stop him fussing the wound. We are all going a bit mad!

Escaped for a Sunday lunch at the fabulous New Inn in Sampford Courtenay. It's a super dog-friendly pub with the added bonus of excellent food and great service. Dart got lots of sympathy and a special bag off doggy treats - what a lucky boy!