10th – 14th June
Getting increasingly frustrated about whether we are ever going to get to the point of moving, we decided to book 3 nights away at Branksome at the Inn in the Park.
The beach is absolutely brilliant and really well set out (dog friendly to the left, no dogs to the right, free electric BBQs, yoga area, restaurant open at 7am for coffee, toilets). Very popular with swimmers, runners, dog walkers and a real sense of community. I got to the car park just after 6:30 am each day and on two days there were only about 4 spaces left.
The girls had a fabulous time on the beach, we caught up with family and friends and on the way back, stopped at Sculpture by the lakes near Dorchester which allows dogs on a lead everywhere (including the cafe) except for the oriental and kitchen garden.
Then on Friday we met up with Kim, Kyra and Talisa for Talisa’s 12th birthday. A run at Pawprints, Hazelmere farm followed by a coffee at Ensleigh garden centre. The dogs all enjoyed their birthday ice-cream.
20th May – trip to Sennen Cove
As Chris was progressing so well with his recovery and the weather for Monday and Tuesday was looking good, we decided to take a quick trip to Sennen cove just for one night. The dogs really loved being back on the beach and the sunset was beautiful.
Birthday weekend 10 – 12th May
A fabulous weekend with fabulous friends – I barely lifted a finger all weekend as they cooked, cleaned and mowed the lawn. Fantastic weather meant we could have our first BBQ of the year and spend most of our time outside. Visited Torrington on Saturday and Exmouth beach early Sunday morning before the crowds arrived.
RHS Rosemoor – 8th May
I hadn’t realised that Rosemoor did the occasional evening walkies where you could take your dogs round the gardens (normally they are not allowed). So, with a forecast of sunshine and Chris having improved massively since he came home, we booked to go.
Chris walked a short distance and sat in the garden and enjoyed the sun while I took our two for a longer walk.
Well we weren’t expecting that!
Just as we were looking forward to the weather changing and being able to take the girls out without their equafleeces, on the 13th April Chris had a stroke. He completely lost the use of his right side and his speech was very slurred. After 11 days in hospital, he is recovering well although it will be a long haul, and he is now home to continue his rehabilitation here. We have had a fantastic service from everyone involved – the community responder, paramedics, acute stroke ward staff and now the people who are coming in 3 times a day to help him cope at hope and continue to improve.
The girls were absolutely delighted to have him home.
Isle of Wight – 15th – 19th March
We visited the Island for a weekend break with friends – so we were 7 adults and by special dispensation with the owner of the cottage, 8 Goldies. We stayed at Haviland cottage – see self catering properties – which was ideally equipped for a holiday with dogs.
We visited Cowes, Yaverland beach, Shanklin beach and the Donkey sanctuary.
23rd – 26th February Brechfa Forest Barns
We decided to have a weekend away at Brechfa forest barns where we went back in September. This time we stayed in Bay Tree barn which has two double bedrooms which we found better than the mezzanine bed in the Old Bike shed. They barn is semi-detached with the Hay barn and both have their own enclosed area and of course, use of Scentral Bark – a fully enclosed dog field with lots of different things for them to do.
There is a washing machine available in the utility area of the garage which was a godsend as we needed to wash their equafleeces every day.
We had a lovely weekend – very relaxing – and while we were there took the dogs for a walk in Brechfa forest, visited Llandovery and Camarthen and took them to Cefn Sidan beach at Pembrey Country Park.
On the journey up we stopped at two Welcome Break service stations and the last time we checked, they did not allow dogs inside. However, the company has changed their policy and now allows well behaved dogs on a lead in both the toilets and seating areas which was great as it meant we could have our coffee inside instead of huddling outside in the cold and wet.
February 2024
We met Kim with Talisa and Kyra for a walk at Hounds unleashed followed by lunch at Endleigh garden centre.
On the 16th February we took the girls to Teignmouth – we normally go to Exmouth but there have been pollution incidents recently so we didn’t want to risk it. Although the beach slopes and is fine shingle rather than sand, it is still a lovely beach with a good coffee shop at Eastgate.
And then on 18th February, Cheryl who owns stud dogs and has a Facebook group for their offspring organised a meet up at Goodrington Sands. Each dog wore a coloured ribbon to show which line they were from – Red for Reggie (Morwenna’s dad), Blue for Bill, Green for Ernie (Jenna’s dad) and Yellow for Bert. It was lovely to see them all play together but at times difficult to pick out Morwenna and Jenna because of the family resemblances.
Doggy swim – Shoalstone sea pool Brixham, 7th April 10:00 – 11:00
We will definitely be taking the girls to this again – it’s great fun and look who is the poster girl for it this year – Morwenna!
Sennen Cove 16th – 18th January
Having done a quick check of the forecast, and knowing that most of the St Austell Brewey pubs had a 50% off 2 nights or more offer until 14th March, we booked 2 nights at one of our favourite places – The Old Success Inn at Sennen Cove. The beach is literally across the road from the pub, the staff are incredibly welcoming and the pub and it’s rooms are totally dog friendly. The South West Coast path passes through Sennen cove as well so you can enjoy a walk along there with tremendous views over the sea. (Oh and if you are interested in the path, do read The Salt Path by Raynor Winn – one of the most inspiring books ever).
We stopped off at Fowey on the way – for some reason we had never been there, and had a potter around and coffee at Havenors on the Quay, which is dog friendly.
Once settled in at Sennen, the girls had lots of runs on the beach in the mornings and evenings and we also went to St Ives – a lot of shops were closed but it was much easier to park and to walk around being out of season and Porthmeor beach was almost empty.
Meals at the pub are always good (and very filling) so we ate in the pub both evenings – dogs are now allowed in the restaurant as well as the bar which makes it easier for breakfast as previously you had to sit in the bar and go up to the restauarant for the cereals and toast.
Golden Retriever cafe Taunton – 7th January
Pop and Bark run breed specific cafes across the country and Sunday 7th January, it was the turn of Golden Retrievers at Taunton. They hired the ground floor of Pitcher and Piano, organised the event with food and drinks available from the bar and puppuchinos available from their own serving cart; provided toys and a few treats, ensured they had a dog first aider and once everyone was in, closed the doors, put up dog gates and everyone could then let their dogs off the lead.
You didn’t have to have a Golden Retriever or even a dog to come – there were plenty of people who just wanted to be there to enjoy some time with the dogs. Some had lost a dog, some were thinking about getting one and some just loved dogs but couldn’t have one themselves.
Our girls enjoyed themselves very much – even Morwenna getting into the swing and being much more social than usual and I of course, enjoyed meeting other people who loved dogs and all the dogs that were there. The whole session was 90 minutes including the introduction and with 80 minutes of off lead fun.
There were probably around 50 Goldies from very young to a beautiful older lady of 13 and they all interacted with each other and the humans (including a small toddler) without any problems.
We will definitely go again and if you want to sign up to find out when a cafe is running in your own area – here’s the link https://popandbark.com/
Goldies on tour 