Christmas

I like Christmas. 

Humans feeling happy... My favourite!

Cuddles... My favourite!

Lots of walks.... My favourite!

New toys... My favourite!

Treats.... My favourite!

Time with my my mate Bo and his humans.... My favourite!

A ride in the magic car that took me to a day out with my cousin-dogs Molly & Chunk... My favourite!

An evening in Owmby with lots of humans, Charlie-Flatcoat & Holly-Weimaraner.... My favourite!

Inspecting Heritage Lottery work

Mum had a day with me and Dad today. I hope she knows what she's doing though, because I've noticed my food bin is down to half empty.  You see I'm not daft, I know food refills come from that thing she goes to called "work".

Anyway, Mum thought we were just going to take her on a normal walk - Dad and I had other ideas and we had a grand afternoon out.  

The first thing we did seemed highly dangerous, but what do I know?   Dad drove over the huge bridge over the Humber and DIDN'T STOP at the pay booths.   I'm reckoning he's gonna be in big trouble and get another one of those "speeders" he talks about or worse.  Then I heard them talking and apparently Dad's got a magic thing in his window that pays for him to go over the bridge. Neat. 

I then settled down for a kip and eventually we arrived.  I'm sure we had been there before - I think Mum and I went walking while Dad rang the bells that time.   

Today we all went off for a long walk, then we got back to the church again.  This time though it was quite different. We met my friend Helen but she wouldn't cuddle me 'cos she had posh clothes on. I know about stuff like that - Mum won't cuddle me after work until she has changed clothes.  I feel really sorry for humans, I really do - they clearly are way behind dogs in evolutionary terms.  Our coats are permanently attached to us and dirt/water just drops off.  It's never worn out, we constantly grow new coat and old hairs from it fall out. It always stays just the right length, unlike humans who only grow head-coats and even then have to keep it trimmed.  If we dogs want a freshen up, we just roll in the grass.   Humans have to keep spending money on clothes and they wash themselves and their clothes in awful smelling soapy stuff.  Oh well! 

Oh what was I talking about - ah yes, Roos  - there were lots of people around taking big things into the church.  Helen told me it was the church organ and explained lots of interesting things about it.   The church has received £44,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to restore the organ.  It was built in 1881 by K. C. Reiter, a renowned Hull organ builder, and is one of only two to have survived in an unmodified state. Damp and woodworm affected it badly and it has been unplayable for 25 years. WOW!   How much dog food would THAT sum buy??

All the long pipes in the picture are where the different sounds come out.  They have just been cleaned.  The two really shiny ones are new as the old ones were too bad to save.   The others have still got the remains of old painted decoration on them and a local chap is going to re-create it on them all.   It's going to look magnificent.  

 Next we went and looked in the recess where the organ lives.  This bit of the church was specially built when the organ was first installed.  the big thing you can see is the bellows - the piece that moves air through the mechanism.

The window you can see has been restored and just has plain glass.  The one that used to be in the original outside wall had stained glass and has been moved to another window so it can be seen.  There's another interesting window too, that looks into the organ area.  It's got coloured paint on it blocking the view but they are going to clean it off, so when the organ's working again people will be able to look through and see it.

Apparently the restoration won't be finished until Spring 2016, but the pieces are going to be displayed until they're needed and people will be able to go and learn how organs work.

After this excitement we went off for yet another walk - wahay!    We couldn't believe the weather.  At home it was foul wind and rain and horrid dark skies.   Here it was lovely sunshine. The wind was huge fun too, as it blew leaves around for me to chase.  Have you ever jumped into a whole heap of leaves and run round in rapid circles in it?  If not you should try it!

Finally we went off to visit someone.  I got to stay in the car for a well deserved kip for a while, so I could dry off (yeah, I'd found a few puddles to play in!).    Then I got invited in.  Woah I'm going back there!   The house belonged to two very senior humans. I quickly realised they needed me to be calm but just in case I forgot Mum kept me close to her on a lead.  They were called Stan and Vera.  They're Peter Cook's parents.   Stan told us stories of how he used to be in the Navy sailing all over the world and then how he was a shepherd.  He said he used to train sheepdogs - Dad of course had to tell him about my recent encounter with sheep and their killer fence!   Stan's lovely though;  he fussed me and fed me several biscuits to keep me going as tea was clearly going to be a bit late!

By the time we got home it was dark.  I'd had a lovely snooze in the car and I was extremely hungry!

A Fast Learner

After my seriously unpleasant meeting with a little fence that bit me last week, obviously controlled by the woolly monsters behind it. Dad took me back there today. I was fine until I saw the woolly monsters ahead, and Dad put me on my lead. I was seriously worried! Going past the field I slunk along on a loose lead at Dad's side hiding behind his legs with my ears down and a hang-dog expression until the woolly monsters were out of sight.

Dad was amazed at how I was perfectly normal either side of the monsters' field, but glued to him when along side it. What does he think I am? Stupid? I will never forget the feeling of having a red-hot poker shoved up me and I intend to make sure it never happens again by keeping away from woolly monsters with nasty fences!

Ow Ow Ow Owwwwwww........................

There I was quietly minding my own business and looking for something disgusting to roll in on my daily walk with Dad, when in the distance I saw some woolly things. So did Dad, and in a second I was clanked on my lead! He knows me! Well we got to the edge of a field full of about 100 sheep where there is just a small fence between the footpath and the sheep. Nothing at all really, just some strands of wire.

'Leave the fence alone Oscar'..........................'Leave the fence alone Oscar'...................'LEAVE THE BLOODY FENCE ALONE OSCAR!!!!'

Well you know me, I won't be told. Just a little nibble couldn't do any harm now could it. So I bit it.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..............YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.............WHOOOOOOOOOOOO

I found myself laying on my back with my legs waving about feeling like someone had just shoved a red hot poke straight up my arse. It was excruciating. What was Dad doing...........errr laughing, and I could swear that the sheep were too. 'That'll teach you to do as your told' he said.

Ever been had? TWICE in one day!

Ok, so yesterday while we were out I made a find while they weren't watching.   Perfume of the god Vulpes - not a lot, and time was tight but it was enough to have a very quick roll in and it gave me a subtle aroma to take home and savour.  When we went to bed, Mum said my bed a "bit whiffy" and stale so it needed a wash. Luckily she didn't realise it was something fresh and on me haha! Well. This morning was a different story.  My aroma had spread round the kitchen, and as she came through the door Mum's face was not a pleased one.  

"Come on Ozzie, come upstairs, come for a cuddle"

"Yeah yeah yeah... right.. sure thing.... I'm coming!!"

A dirty trick it was ... Before I could blink I found myself covered in shampoo, having the indignity of a shower.  If you happen to smell me coming now, I do apologise for such an undogly stench.

Things then looked up.... Car trip, a good run and a paddle in a ford. Zzzzz in the car and I'm being taken into a building that smells of so many dogs, cats and who knows what plus some rather awful chemically smells.  There are nice friendly people, but I smell a rat (ha ha - like the joke?)   Mum buys me a new smelly bone - I'm more suspicious.  Finally this bloke comes to fuss me and we go into a really strange smelling room.   He puts his hands in all sorts of private places in the name of fussing me - cheek!  I knew something was up when both he and Mum were petting me...OUCH!  What the heck was that sharp thing in my shoulder?  Wasn't all bad though as he said I was a good boy who'd probably grow up and calm down "oh in about 4 years time" and gave me a biscuit. 

After that I got a big surprise.  I'd just settled down to sleep and the car stopped again.  I heard a voice I was sure I knew.... Yay it was my first human Mum with her little girl (gosh she's grown!).  Then out came my first human Dad too and he gave me lots of fusses and a bit of rough and tumble.   It was great to see them and show them what a handsome young man I have grown into.  

So, that is why I am shattered tonight.   As threatened Mum washed my bed, but she let me get on it while it was lovely and warm out of the tumble dryer...... Night all!!

Slow start to a busy day.

My humans had a boring morning, poor dears.  They both had their computers and were tap tap tapping with odd pauses for discussion.

Just when I'd given up they decided it was time to fill the bathtub and take turns to play in it.  Don't know why I'm not allowed a turn.  Dad looked bored in the water so I thought I'd give him a game and threw him my big black Kong.  Suddenly all hell broke loose .. seems my Kong had rather hurt him and he was not at all pleased.   Mum sent me to wait downstairs.  Oops.

Finally we all had a long walk... 4.25 miles they said.  We went all along the riverside and met some lovely fishermen who fussed me. On the way back one showed us a huge fish.. I'm sure he said it was  called God. It smelled funny and rather intriguing but I was only lowed a quick sniff.  He said it was going home with him for tea and they all laughed.  Very strange, never will understand humans.

After the walk we visited Pat and Bo.  I got my second wind and we played in the garden.   The humans were making very loud buzzing noises in the garage. Mum, Dad and I then went home.  I went off for a kip and they went into the caravan. .they said they were doing a repair with some wood they'd cut at Pat's.

Now I've had tea, slept all evening and am having a cuddle with Mum before settling down for the night. :)

Oscar on tour again.

I sure am getting to be a well travelled dog.

Wednesday morning - Mum and   Dad are rushing about putting stuff in Dad's car.  What is afoot?  Ah, there goes my bed and dog food....ooh, where are we going? An hour of kip and we stop.. mum gets out, Dad gets out and I guard the car for a few minutes.   Then I get to have a play on some grass till Mum appears and then we take her to another place and she disappears again.  Weird.  Dad and I have another play and he explains she has to go earn some dog food.  That's fine then. She returns and I settle for the LONG magic car sleep.

Woohoo it's into a house and there are Auntie Fiona, Uncle David, human cousins Eleanor, Mhairi, Fraser and doggie cousins Molly and Chunk waiting for me.  It's so exciting I race round trying to greet everyone with a big sloppy kiss....

"OI, YOU, WHIPPERSNAPPER....STOP!"
"Me? What've I done?"
"Listen up, lad, and remember.  I'm Molly.  This is MY house.  There are dog rules here.   What I say and do goes... Got it?"

"Err... Okay ma'am....sorry!"  (Jeez.. She's got an attitude problem)

"Hey, youngster...come here... Don't worry about her, she's a big softie inside, just respect her... She's getting on a bit.  I'm Chunk ... Named after chocolate apparently... My first humans decided I was like a Chunk of chocolate, as I'm a Labrador like you, just a chocolate coloured one.  Life's great here with Fiona  and co. I gather you're stsying a few days with your Mum ... So c'mon, gissakiss!"  (Corr!  He's a great chap).

So I take his advice, give her some space and mind my manners.  Dad disappears but Mum shows me her bedroom so I know she's staying too.   My den goes in the kitchen so I have my safe space.  Or do I?   Oh no... Molly  is in my den and  says I can sleep somewhere else - anywhere, she cares not where! Cheeky mare!  Fine, whatever.

Anyway, in the morning things are fine. I still have to ask Molly's permission to use the door, but she's playing with me and being pretty decent really.   We have a great few days, lots of walks to fields,  woods and a river, lots of laughter, chasing each other, fetching sticks and also playing ball in the garden.  Actually I really like Molly and she likes me too. At one point she and got to both sit on a sofa and cuddle mum!

Now we're back home and it's SO quiet.  I miss my mates. 

Rory

Sunday morning and the humans seemed in no particular rush to do anything.  They normally do their bellringing thing, but not today.  Suddenly Mum's black thing that she has conversations with and strokes a lot (ought to be me getting stroked actually)  started to buzz.  She talked quickly to it and then both of them got ready to go out, with me in the car, in about 5 minutes flat... "Eh? What's this all about?" I was thinking as we sped off down the road.

Turns out Granny (that's Dad's Mum), who lives about 15 mins away, has a special necklace.  If she's in trouble she presses a button on it and someone gets her some help.   Anyway, she'd pressed it this morning and the people who it's connected to tried to ring her and couldn't, so they phoned Mum, and that's why they had to get to her fast.    I think that's pretty impressive.

Luckily there was nothing wrong at all - she'd pressed it without realising!   She was pleased to see Mum and Dad anyway and then I got a big treat. Rory, an 8 year old Border Terrier lives with Granny and he fancied a walk.   Granny suggested he might like one with me as it would be good for us to meet each other, now I've had my "little operation".  Apparently Rory disapproves of dogs that haven't had it.  I don't understand what that all means, never mind.

So off we went - I was rather excited:

"Hey, fancy jumping around? What about a race?  Go on, you pull Mum, I'll pull Dad and wheeee, let's get the leads tangled..... can I sniff you.... you can sniff me.... Oh man this is gonna be fun ......." :

"Oi! Now then, young whippersnapper - enough of that - civilised behaviour only in my village PLEASE!!"  

What a bore that Rory seems to be!!   Along the footpath we came to fields and Dad took the lead from me so I could chase around.  Rory said he felt safer staying tied to Mum with his stretchy lead.  No way was he going to play, but he was friendly enough to me and was happy to have me give him kisses.  I kept checking on him and Mum, and both were fine though I was surprised Rory was panting a lot even though they were not walking as fast as we usually do.   Mum explained that he only walks slowly with Granny; he isn't used to running around like me and he is 8 years old, not a youngster.  Ok, fine, whatever.   We all enjoyed it anyway.

North Pennines

Yup, more tales of Oscar on the road!  This time it was thanks to Mum having to go and do a day of teaching in Workington, Cumbria yesterday.    As both Mum and Dad only work part time, they managed to both be free from last Wednesday lunchtime, so they booked us a cottage to stay in.  It was quite strange.  There was just one room downstairs with kitchen things one side, a table and two chairs under the stairs and a sofa and chair facing a thing called a log burner.    I wondered why the humans were excited by that 'cos it just looked like  a cold black box with bits of wood beside it... and I was told NOT to chew the wood.  Upstairs there were 2 rooms, a bedroom with a bathroom off it.   I've never seen such a tiny house but it was perfect for us three.   Later I discovered what the wood burner was for .. we sat round it with just a table lamp on, glasses of wine for the humans and a space on the rug for me.. mmmm, so warm!

We had some lovely walks and it's a great area.  Sometimes we went out in the magic car, sometimes just walked straight from the cottage. I didn't even need to have Mum on a lead for our early morning ones :)

Thursday was really good.   We seemed to spend ages in the car; I think the magic was not working right as we kept stopping and turned the car round several times.  Mum and Dad seemed a little frustrated - apparently lots of roads were closed for something to do with a cycle race.   I'm sure they must have got it wrong. They said the big A road from Penrith to Alston was closed 5am to 7pm, and all these cyclists would be going up the huge hill there at the end of a race of about 100 miles ... surely not?   Anyway we needed up at the most awesome place where we played for ages in the River Eden, and then watched all the fast cyclists go past over a bridge on their way to Penrith......

Friday we had lots of car magic and several walks. One took us to a very strange place called High Force.  I thought it was a bit boring as we never got to play in the water but they said it was too dangerous.

Saturday was wet, wet, wet.   Mum worked and dad & I kept trying to find somewhere to walk with no rain.  It was good though as we had three walks.  

Finally early this morning we packed all the stuff back into the car (well, they did - I offered but was told my help wasn't wanted!).  I expected the car-magic to take us straight  home, but no, instead we had fun on a boat on Lake Windermere and then on a steam train right next to where the boat took us! 

If you look the pic on the boat you can see me and a little would-be playmate.  Unfortunately both our Mums said we couldn't play and so we both just enjoyed the ride.  

After all that the car-magic took us home, but it gave us two stops.  One was for me to have a walk and sniff some bushes in a field (oh yeah, and add to the scent there) and the other was for some tea.  I had mine on some grass by the car in a car park!  Now it's time for bed, so

Over and out for now!

Norfolk

Well I knew something was afoot.  Mum was paying far too much attention to the caravan for my comfort.   Although they've never left me at home alone for very long, just an hour or two ... and they always leave the radio on for me, I still worry ... silly isn't it?   Anyway, I needn't have worried as Mum realised how I was feeling and let me sit in the car to watch.

It was a long journey, like going to the boat and Pat came too.  I had my normal soft bed so I wasn't bothered a bit zzzzz!  What I didn't know was we were joining lots of lovely friends.  Here's a pic of me with Dawn and Pat.  Can you see my daybed in the back right hand corner?  There were nearly 20 humans in all, and 3 more doggy-friends.   It was great fun checking the awning floor as humans can be really messy eaters!

We were there a week and most days the humans did their odd bellringing thing - but we dogs got lots of fun too as they took turns in looking after us and walking us.  Every morning I went all the way round the thing called a racecourse next to our pitches.  It smelled divine but I can't work out what exactly it smelled of.   There were wet areas and muddy areas too --- luvverly!  This is me and Charlie at about 6am.

On the Sunday I heard words I adore "wanna go on a boat Oz?"   Hell YEAH!   Seven of the humans with me and the other Oscar had the most wonderful day on a "Picnic boat".  The last of these three pics is Oscar B's Mum Ros.  She's great!

When we got back to the caravan, I was just a little tired....

OMG I'm slipping!

How long since my last post - gosh, a month!  What's new then... lemme think.  Oh my brain is befuddled as the month has been dominated by one experience.  Nobody explained what was going on, perhaps just as well really.   You see Mum took me down to Brigg to see the lovely ladies who fuss me lots and LEFT me there!  We'd had a great walk, but no breakfast.  Before I had a chance to demand an explanation they'd made me oh so sleepy, shaved me in a rather personal place and I vaguely remember something a bit sharp biting my front leg.   I had the weirdest dream, and woke up feeling very strange - didn't know where I was at all.

Eventually they told me Mum and Dad had arrived to take me home - well about time too - bet they'd been  off on some jolly or other.  The nice lady gave me a teeshirt to wear that reminded me of my winter raincoat.   It felt nice and snuggly like a gentle hug. For some reason Dad helped me into the car and if I am honest, I didn't feel like jumping.  The next couple of days passed in a blur - I remember squeaking at Mum to tell her that I was not feeling great, but she just told me to sleep.  Oh, I suppose she was right and I had nothing better to do.

By Sunday I was wondering why I wasn't off out for a run - and why I was still wearing a teeshirt. When it was taken off a couple of times I had a much needed check of my nether regions - I was shocked at what I found (or didn't find)  I have to tell you!

Chilling in my t-shirt

Eventually Dad took me for a stroll as he said I had something called cabin fever!  So that was what was wrong with me - that must be what the bits between my legs are called - so they had this fever then - ok.  I'm feeling better now so that is fine.

While I've been poorly, Mum and I played lots of little games.  She had a whistle and kept softly blowing it "pip-pip-pip-pip-pip" and straight away giving me treats.    I like that game!   Then she did it when not near me and it was so obvious the game now was to go to her to collect my rewards.  She even tried to catch me out blowing it when I was asleep, or in a different room - no chance!  Every time I got to her really quickly.    It is a fun game.  Pat joined in too when she visited.   I went to greet her at the door and she seemed quite offhand.  Mum peeped and so I realised it was another bit of the game - I went, got my treat and then Mum told me to go and fuss Pat.   The last bit of that episode was funny. They kept saying that this one would be hard.   Yeah Right!   Pat arrived and I could smell food in her hand - mmm!   I sniffed and licked her hand but she wouldn't open it.   Mum peeped --- oh EASY!!  Go-to-Mum gets me good treats.... so off I went and she said how clever I was and asked Pat to come and give me the treats.  Different, but  FUN!

Mum and I are back to our walks, but not very long ones as it is rather warm out.  She's behaving rather strangely though.   We went to a place I know and love, the Humber Bank and so as soon as it was safe to let Mum  off the lead I bombed off to check out the path ahead.  I knew she'd just follow on at her own pace so I was not worried about her.  Eventually I happened upon a delicious smell and screamed to a halt, then turned to bury my  nose in it... but what did I see out of the corner of an eye? Mum legging it in the opposite direction away from me back towards the car ... eek... she could get lost!   I hared off to her and overshot so I could check out the way ahead for her.  By the time I turned to check on her again she had spun round and was marching off away from the car again.   So I did a sharp turn and soon caught up.   As soon as I overtook, she turned again.   I really thought she had flipped, so kept a close eye on her all the time I was off the lead.   She seemed to think that was good  - oh well, whatever makes her happy :)

One final game we've been playing is called "find-it".  Mum takes fun toys out to play either in the garden or on walks.  Often they're toys I don't get to play with normally.    She makes me wait, throws the toy and then says Go find it!.   I chase after it, grab it and run round in circles... but what makes her really happy (oh and gets her to dispense a treat) is if I take the toy to her and put it in her hand so she doesn't have to chase me or bend down to pick it up (guess she's showing her age, poor dear!).  

Back on the boat!

"Ozzie!  Want to go back on a boat?"
   "Eh?  What?   Really?  HELL YEAH!"
"Ok, get in Dad's car then!"


So that's what all the car-packing thing was about!   I was worried until I saw my bed and their clothes going in the car, then I just got excited wondering where we were going - I never imagined it'd be back on a boat....YAY!

A quick kip in the back of Dad's car and we were at a funny place with lots of cars. They told me I needed to relieve myself, so I obliged.  A quick drink & I was soon snoring again as the car transported us to the boat.   On waking I could smell the river and couldn't wait to get on the boat - but it was a different one. Who cares!  It was only a few days this time, and I have to say the sun was rather too hot for me, but Mum and Dad kept finding ways for me to get wet and that is a corking way to cool down!

An early morning dip in South Walsham Broad

At Potter Heigham I was hot and tired so I kipped in a cool spot, but nearly fell off!
Funny they don't trust me not to leap overboard so I get the indignity of a lead!

Can you see me hiding in my bed?

Corn dog?   Camo-dog?

Who's that rather handsome (if damp) dog?

Mum was lying on the bed reading, so I crept up to stop her being lonely.
Then I just zoned out and she took a selfie of us!

Seaside again!

Yet another fabulous day out with the humans!  When Mum and I went down the garden early this morning we both agreed it looked like it would be lovely and warm.     I hoped it'd mean something exciting would happen but it seemed not.  They just took ages and didn't seem in any hurry to do anything.   What is a "Saturday morning" and why does it sometimes make humans slow?  I kept reminding them that if we didn't go soon the sun might get fed up and go away but they told me, quite rudely, to be quiet and settle down.  Huh!

To my great relief, eventually they went and did the shower thing, got ready and invited me into the car YAY!   I woke up to a familiar salty smell - oh goody, seaside!  

We were just south of Mablethorpe - at Sandilands.   Great fun and this time Dad went in up to his knees but Mum went even deeper than me!  

Mum has a special travel drinking bowl for me to make sure I always get a drink - it was a present from Pat.

We had our drink while watching people play golf beside the beach. More balls I'm not allowed to have.

Mum says I earned an award!!

Yes, I learned to swim!!

Mum and Dad had this great idea for an afternoon out.  They said it might be too busy there, but we'd go and look anyway.   I got in the car closed my eyes for a second and we arrived.  Well, I didn't know what all the fuss was about to be honest as it looked as if I was going to have to take them round paths on a lead BORING!  

I was WRONG, wahay BIG time wrong!   Here is where we went:

I hope you can read the notice.... if you can't see it says "Dogs Swimming Area". It is in Cleethorpes Country Park.

It was a special beach on a lake just for dogs.   Well, in we went and there was a gorgeous spaniel so I rushed over to see if he wanted to play.  Oh boy, yes he did.   His mum threw a ball MILES into the water and he went to get it.   That seemed a bit rash, and I kept to running around in the shallow water.  Then a black lab arrived to play and he too went MILES.   They were both chasing balls and sticks and so was I,  It was tremendous fun.  Suddenly a stick was thrown and we all dived after it and as I was galloping the ground disappeared.... YIKES!  But my mates kept going and so did I!  It seems you don't need to run on the ground. you can run in water too.   

Mum threw my frisbee in the water... but I wasn't confident to go and get it and neither of the others would either as it was mine, not theirs.    It floated off :(

Never mind, we chased  the sticks and balls in and out of the water for ages but as my confidence grew and my frisbee had got a bit closer I went and got it.  Mum and Dad were so pleased with me and told me what a clever chap I am (I know!).    Then the others had to go but I stayed and played a bit longer.

Finally we went for a walk round the park to dry off a bit before going home again

NB the first pic isn't me.. I borrowed it from http://the-crystal-gazer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/wild-thing.html  
Isn't it an amazing shot?

.

Sticks I wasn't allowed to have and bells Mum and Dad weren't ringing....

So, this morning Mum didn't go to work.  That was good 'cos it meant I could take her for a walk.  I kept suggesting it and eventually she got my meaning.  We went into her magic car and it took us to a lake.  We went right round it - I kept thinking there could be a paddle as there were paths and wooden platforms but the water looked deep so I didn't risk it.  Oh and the fact Mum kept telling me NO!! seemed to imply it might be a BAD idea.    At the far side of the lake it was huge fun, but Mum disagreed.   The path nearly disappeared and there was long wet grass everywhere.  It tickles and is refreshing when you run through it.

Tonight I got a surprise.  Mum and Dad took me for a walk round our village and when we got to the shop they sat down on a stone seat. I wanted to go and play with a terrier that came along, but they said no.  Suddenly lots of humans in funny clothes came out of the pub and started dancing with funny music and lots of rattling bells on their legs and shoes.  I got really scared when one of them came and made a loud noise with a box - Dad said it was a money box and he put some coins in it.  I cuddled close up to Mum and Dad after that, but it was really interesting watching it all.    Mum & Dad said I'd been really good as I had just sat or laid down and watched.

Here are some photos.   Oh, they told me it was called "Morris Dancing".

I thought at least one of them might throw a stick for me to fetch and chew, but no.

All the sticks went back in the trolley!

The man with the red and black money tin that scared me.

Mum said this pic shows that some men can multitask- apparently it's not common.

Seems like it was thirsty work

Fathers' Day outing

It's been a good weekend.  Yesterday I took Mum and Dad for a country track walk when it quit raining,  I don't really mind the rain but they don't like it, apparently 'cos their clothes get wet and also this time of year it's too hot to wear a coat.  Dunno why they don't just strip off and go 'au naturel', like me.

Last night there was a great surprise as Mike and Dee turned up.  They're always good fun :)

Today they told me it's Father's Day and that meant pressies and cards for Dad (aha!! That explains why he got a card and pressie from Helen & Carl too).    We all decided a day out would be just the thing and so decided to visit Withernsea seaside, the place Mum and I found last week... It was heaven and I loved showing it to everyone.   I gave all the humans loads of exercise on the beach and in the sea, and there were lots of laughs chasing my frisbee; then we walked into town and I sat under a table watching the world while they had lunch.  After that I persuaded them back to the beach for more romping around.   

Thanks Mike and Dee for taking the pics!