A great trip to the Lakes for 24 (or was it 25 - we were never sure how many) juniors and ther parents, staying again at the camping barn and field at Causey Foot Farm near Keswick.
Highlights for me were the lambs, and the long walks.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Canix in Salcey Forest (Northampton)
A good day. Mark took Gran, and I rode in the back where I can get enough room to stretch out.
It was a nice warm day, so the race was started 30 mins early - Mark wasn't happy as he wasn't warmed up, but I was ready and joyfully joined in the barking at the start.
Mark thinks he may have set off too fast, but I was enjoying myself and kept fully focused as I went past the other dogs
Most of the dogs were very friendly, but for some reason I preferred to growl and snarl at them.
It was a nice warm day, so the race was started 30 mins early - Mark wasn't happy as he wasn't warmed up, but I was ready and joyfully joined in the barking at the start.
Mark thinks he may have set off too fast, but I was enjoying myself and kept fully focused as I went past the other dogs
Most of the dogs were very friendly, but for some reason I preferred to growl and snarl at them.
Monday, 26 December 2011
Sam the Pup
Last minute Christmas organisation (walks to be had, trees to be visited) has delayed this latest post, but last week I went for a ride with Rosemary, Bella and Young Master last week. We drove up to see Nain, but en route stopped off near Holyhead and picked up a passenger.
Young Sam is a type called a 'Springydoor', which means he's got very big ears and sharp teeth. Everyone makes a fuss about him, but I've had to remind him a few times that I'm still the top dog (which is what Mark is always saying to me these days).
Young Sam is a type called a 'Springydoor', which means he's got very big ears and sharp teeth. Everyone makes a fuss about him, but I've had to remind him a few times that I'm still the top dog (which is what Mark is always saying to me these days).
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Bonfire Night in Herefordshire
Back home now exhausted after a visit to my new friend Olly. He lives with his family at Pete's house, and shares his home with two cats, Max and Maisie. Olly and I had a great run around the garden this morning, but Max didn't want to play, and he ran up a tree.
It was a great garden and had a nice cool pond to lie down in and cool off, but Rosemary said I was very dirty afterwards and Moss said that I smelled.
It was a great garden and had a nice cool pond to lie down in and cool off, but Rosemary said I was very dirty afterwards and Moss said that I smelled.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Boys weekend away in the Lakes October 8 & 9 2011
Just back from a great boys' weekend. On Saturday after rowing, Mark and I drove (well he drove, and I slept) up to the Lakes. From M6 J39, we parked next to the Wet Sleddale reservoir, and then went for a run. It seemed like ages, but Mark told me it was just under 3 hours; we slipped, slithered, slid and spun all over the place, running in all sorts of mucky stuff. We went up the track to Mosedale, where there was an isolated cottage near the head of the valley, just a grassy track leading to it which Mark I think was thinking he'd like to live there as any visitors would have to walk about 4 miles to get to him. From there we crossed the watershed (and there was a lot of water) and down to the Gatescarth Road. On solid ground to the top of the pass, and as time was tight we didn't descend, but climbed up along the fence to Branstree from which we could catch glimpses of Haweswater in between the clouds. From there we went direct to Selside Pike, and needing to get back as quickly as possible we took the direct route eastwards alongside the fence across Mosedale Beck and back on the outward road.
After drying a bit, we drove to Tebay and I warmed myself in front of the fire in the Cross Keys Inn, while Mark got himself some beer. A nice lady at the next table rubbed my tummy, and looked after me while Mark went outside to send a text.
Next Rick arrived, and we went off to the cottage. Rick asked if I'm OK with other dogs, and Mark said something about me being good with every type except Beagles - then I saw Jessie. I had my reputation to keep up, so I growled and snapped at her. Soon afterwards they all left me, telling me to be a good boy, and that they were going to have a meal with Bob Graham, and get a certificate for it - seemed a bit strange to get a certificate just for eating, but there you go....humans!
Next day, I was ready for more running, so Mark drove us to Buxton and asked the nice Rotary club marshalls if I could run in a race with him.
At the start line, Mark wanted us to start near the back out of the way, but I knew he was wrong and tried to get to the front. I told him this (constantly) for the 5 minutes that we were waiting for the off, and then I sprung into life; I was anxious to get to the front and couldn't understand why we were going so slowly. I couldn't believe it when we queued for 3 minutes to get over a stile - I would have jumped right over the wall and complained loudly to Mark at the delay.
Once we were across, I had work to do and dashed off after the runner in front, got past and then after the next one; most of the smiled at me as I went past, and asked if they could borrow me. I had about 5 or 6 drinks, a couple of immersions, and quite a few toilet breaks, but Mark wouldn't let me sniff about for long.
After drying a bit, we drove to Tebay and I warmed myself in front of the fire in the Cross Keys Inn, while Mark got himself some beer. A nice lady at the next table rubbed my tummy, and looked after me while Mark went outside to send a text.
Next Rick arrived, and we went off to the cottage. Rick asked if I'm OK with other dogs, and Mark said something about me being good with every type except Beagles - then I saw Jessie. I had my reputation to keep up, so I growled and snapped at her. Soon afterwards they all left me, telling me to be a good boy, and that they were going to have a meal with Bob Graham, and get a certificate for it - seemed a bit strange to get a certificate just for eating, but there you go....humans!
Next day, I was ready for more running, so Mark drove us to Buxton and asked the nice Rotary club marshalls if I could run in a race with him.
At the start line, Mark wanted us to start near the back out of the way, but I knew he was wrong and tried to get to the front. I told him this (constantly) for the 5 minutes that we were waiting for the off, and then I sprung into life; I was anxious to get to the front and couldn't understand why we were going so slowly. I couldn't believe it when we queued for 3 minutes to get over a stile - I would have jumped right over the wall and complained loudly to Mark at the delay.
Once we were across, I had work to do and dashed off after the runner in front, got past and then after the next one; most of the smiled at me as I went past, and asked if they could borrow me. I had about 5 or 6 drinks, a couple of immersions, and quite a few toilet breaks, but Mark wouldn't let me sniff about for long.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Bugsworth 5
Mark did a race without me on Wednesday while he was away in Manchester. He was complaining to me before he went that it was too short for him - 5 miles was not worth me getting up for either.
He said afterwards that he was not used to races where you have to keep running uphill.
Anyhow he finished 3rd, which just goes to show how much better he is when I pull him along - when he races with me, we always win. Serves him right for not running with me.
He said afterwards that he was not used to races where you have to keep running uphill.
Anyhow he finished 3rd, which just goes to show how much better he is when I pull him along - when he races with me, we always win. Serves him right for not running with me.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Neolithic Half Marathon Canicross
Today it was down to Salisbury Plain to meet many new friends. Mark gave me a motavational talk in the car on the way, saying things about pain being only temporary, not getting distracted, and needing to focus on my own race; but when we go out at the start I forgot all this as I was so happy to see lots of dogs - all breeds, including Kelly the Dalmatian, but quite a few BCs (we saw one human with 3 BCs) - I couldn't get round them all quickly enough. Mark said he's never been to a race where all the competitors are socialising hard and playing together before the start. He put some vaseline on my front paws (the organiser had said that some dogs get blistered pads on the hard stony surface).
After a short run to get warmed up (Mark was very clumsy - he twisted his left ankle) we took our place at the start. I was very excited - all the dogs were doing different things - some were sitting, others running around their masters getting their leads tangled, some were barking, and most were facing the wrong way.
When the start hooter went, one dog at the back broke free and ran to the front causing other dogs to chase after him (lots of runners shouting at his owner!), and then the second dog at the front stopped for a poo after 100 metres.
Mark told me to be steady, and after we went past Rosemary and Bella, he tried to find some grassy tracks for me to run on. This was great, running alongside 2 big alsations, and a husky, with all the other dogs just behind. There was a very fast dog (must be mostly a BC) out in front going faster than all the others, but Mark told me to be steady and go at our own pace. Mark was talking to me a lot, telling me not to pull, to go left or right, and saying what a good boy I was - I know I'm a good boy, but it's nice to be reminded. After a couple of miles we were in second place with a spaniel just behind us. So we kept going, I wanted to go faster downhill, but Mark kept telling me to be steady.
After 5 miles they'd put out a paddling pool for me to lie down in and drink while Mark splashed me to cool me down; he also had a quick drink from a cup and poured the rest on my head. A quick shake and we were off again - getting closer to the #1 dog. Mark kept taking me to the side of the main track onto the grassy bits, which was a bit easier on my paws. We passed a field of sheep, but I remembered what Mark had said, and I stayed focused on the race.
At the next paddling pool, I lay down and drank for longer. We saw Bella and Rosemary there, and they had an extra drink ready for me. As we left the pool, the spaniel had caught us up, but I was determined not to lose 2nd place for long, until I felt a desperate urge for a poo. Mark muttered something like "what a time to do that, Charlie" and picked it up in a bag and carried it for the next 2 miles to the bin. Anyhow I felt much better, and much lightened we quickly caught up the spaniel and headed after #1. As Bella and Rosemary drove past I hurried up and we caught the leading dog at about 3 miles to go. I kept wanting to look back at the other dog, but Mark told me to stay focused. With 2 miles to go, he stopped telling me to steady down and off we went - he said we should imagine chasing the juniors in their boats; we closed on a tandem bike and Mark suggested we overtake it before the end. Naturally I obliged.
There was a lovely paddling pool at the finish, so I made the most of it while Mark had an ice cream. I was very happy to meet the other dogs as they finished. To celebrate my win, Rosemary bought me a hamburger, but Mark ate most of it first; then she bought me a smart new yellow running harness. The results should be up soon on the canix.co.uk website: http://cani-cross.co.uk/results100.php - there's also a link to the race photos - we are numbers 113 and 114.
Now I'm back home, and after a very short rest I'm ready to play ball with Young Master.
After a short run to get warmed up (Mark was very clumsy - he twisted his left ankle) we took our place at the start. I was very excited - all the dogs were doing different things - some were sitting, others running around their masters getting their leads tangled, some were barking, and most were facing the wrong way.
When the start hooter went, one dog at the back broke free and ran to the front causing other dogs to chase after him (lots of runners shouting at his owner!), and then the second dog at the front stopped for a poo after 100 metres.
Mark told me to be steady, and after we went past Rosemary and Bella, he tried to find some grassy tracks for me to run on. This was great, running alongside 2 big alsations, and a husky, with all the other dogs just behind. There was a very fast dog (must be mostly a BC) out in front going faster than all the others, but Mark told me to be steady and go at our own pace. Mark was talking to me a lot, telling me not to pull, to go left or right, and saying what a good boy I was - I know I'm a good boy, but it's nice to be reminded. After a couple of miles we were in second place with a spaniel just behind us. So we kept going, I wanted to go faster downhill, but Mark kept telling me to be steady.
After 5 miles they'd put out a paddling pool for me to lie down in and drink while Mark splashed me to cool me down; he also had a quick drink from a cup and poured the rest on my head. A quick shake and we were off again - getting closer to the #1 dog. Mark kept taking me to the side of the main track onto the grassy bits, which was a bit easier on my paws. We passed a field of sheep, but I remembered what Mark had said, and I stayed focused on the race.
At the next paddling pool, I lay down and drank for longer. We saw Bella and Rosemary there, and they had an extra drink ready for me. As we left the pool, the spaniel had caught us up, but I was determined not to lose 2nd place for long, until I felt a desperate urge for a poo. Mark muttered something like "what a time to do that, Charlie" and picked it up in a bag and carried it for the next 2 miles to the bin. Anyhow I felt much better, and much lightened we quickly caught up the spaniel and headed after #1. As Bella and Rosemary drove past I hurried up and we caught the leading dog at about 3 miles to go. I kept wanting to look back at the other dog, but Mark told me to stay focused. With 2 miles to go, he stopped telling me to steady down and off we went - he said we should imagine chasing the juniors in their boats; we closed on a tandem bike and Mark suggested we overtake it before the end. Naturally I obliged.
There was a lovely paddling pool at the finish, so I made the most of it while Mark had an ice cream. I was very happy to meet the other dogs as they finished. To celebrate my win, Rosemary bought me a hamburger, but Mark ate most of it first; then she bought me a smart new yellow running harness. The results should be up soon on the canix.co.uk website: http://cani-cross.co.uk/results100.php - there's also a link to the race photos - we are numbers 113 and 114.
Now I'm back home, and after a very short rest I'm ready to play ball with Young Master.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
