Some Days.

Some days it is all I can do to get out of bed, eat, make sure the animals are looked after through the day and go back to bed again.  It just happens, I get less worried about days like this these days (although they are still very frustrating when I really actually want to be Doing More Stuff) and just take them a minute, an hour at a time and hope the next day is better and it generally is.

So today was low key.

I dithered all day about where to take the dogs for a walk and whether I should in fact push myself to do a run.  This meant, of course, that I left walking them until it was almost too late to go at all.

I decided to try somewhere new in the end.  I’ve been eying up this walk for a while on the map and had high hopes for it.... a good 3 miles of bridleway alongside (but not right next to) a river, enclosed from any fields where there could be livestock but opening up into woods with networks of tracks in other places.  I wondered if the woods were accessible but even if they weren’t thought that the bridleway would make a nice walk anyway.  Sometimes trying something new works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

It started off very promising as there was a free car park next to the farm park place, right at the end of the track I wanted.  There was even a sign saying that the path was a “dog walk”!  Brilliant thinks I.   Unloaded the boy and set off down the track.  As I got a bit further along I saw what I thought was a Golden Retriever on the path.  I called the boys back intending to keep them close until I saw that the “dog” had an owner who was ok for them to meet.  However I have discovered that walking in my glasses (rather than my contact lenses) in fading light is not really a good idea!  It wasn’t a Goldie at all, it was an entirely unexpected sheep. 

I got the boys on lead quickly and ended up struggling along the very muddy bridleway (with the boys in full Monochrome Chaos mode attached to me by a lead) for quite a long way as it turned out a big field next to it wasn’t as closed off as it appeared on the map.  There was a wall and a fence but in such a state of disrepair that the sheep were wandering through it freely and it wouldn’t have even discouraged the boys and it doesn’t take much of a fence to provide a barrier for them if I keep an eye on them.

It annoys me because I do my very best to ensure my dogs don’t bother livestock and it would be nice if farmers were as bothered about the safety of their animals as I am!  I choose my walks carefully to avoid problems and am considerate when crossing farm land so it’s a bit annoying to have a walk made very difficult because a farmer can’t manage to sure up 200m or so of fencing.  They are probably totally jaded by loads of inconsiderate dog walkers though!  It has to work both ways at the end of the day and so often doesn’t.

ANYWAY... the rest of the walk was ok.  Very muddy and getting dark too quickly, but some nice views over the fells.

There was two sheep waiting for us at the gate to the track at the end of the walk, so we had to pass in very close proximity to each other.  Plus I nearly hadn’t seen the things due to the fading light.  Not very helpful when you are in charge of two dogs and doing your utmost to train them not to chase sheep – two trotting past at close quarters if quite a distraction!  I stuffed the boys full of treats every time they made eye contact with me as the sheep went past so hopefully it’ll be a positive contribution to their training not a set-back.  Hugo half a collie was less interested than Oscar the 100% spaniel.  I think Oscar can’t understand why they don’t fly (it’s all bird to him).  Speaking of birds he sprung numerous grouse or pheasants on this walk, obviously well-stocked woodlands, and actually seemed to be doing it deliberately.  Every time one flew up he pelted back to me saying “Did you get it? Did you get it? Can I fetch it now?”  He got quite a little working mode on as the walk progressed.  Strong instincts  -  he’s never had any gundog training.

I might not have enjoyed the walk but I think they did.  They both got very muddy and had a good run round in a new place which are their favourite things to do.  But I won’t be going back with both of them in a hurry!  Perhaps one at a time so I can actually walk when they need to go on lead. I do need to get to explore more of the path to see whether the first bit past the rubbish fence is worth the stress.