Well we've finally arrived at our friend Janet's house in Nottingham, and although Gail seemed a bit cross about various traffic jams encountered en route I didn't really have a problem with the scenic detours through Pontefract and Chesterfield...
We both thoroughly enjoyed our Saturday night stay at the Sunny Mount Shepherd's Hut near Appleby in Cumbria.
Who wouldn't want a peaceful spot in a field beside a lovely red sandstone farmhouse in the Vale of Eden, with cattle, sheep and horses for neighbours and our very own minimalist but perfectly appointed accommodation? Of course it helps if you have the strong bladder of an 18 month old pup and no requirement to go traipsing over to the farmhouse bathroom in the rain in the middle of the night...
Next day, after a refreshing early morning walk we continued south and called in to see my poodle cousin Coco and her family in Derbyshire. In addition to Coco, the reception committee comprised Gail's brother, sister-in-law, niece Annabel, nephew Jonathan, and Jonathan's lovely new (well, new to Gail and me) girlfriend Aoife. Annabel served Gail a refreshing Prosecco to release some of the tensions induced by the roadworks in South Yorkshire.
I played nicely and respectfully with Coco, who is an old lady now (if one is allowed to say that?) We posed nicely for the camera too.
Finally, Gail wants me to tell you that tomorrow is the fifteenth anniversary of her, or rather Hamish the Westie's
first ever blog post. I have deterred her from using my blog to pontificate about changes in blogging through that decade and a half, as I am a young pup and all about the future not the past!
