Festival Fever

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... 

But not, like, an actual fever, or new cough or any such plague related thoughts. 

At last, the moment we were all waiting for, Missys most important date in the doggy year: Dogfest North.

So, back in times of early unlock, when the thought of normality will still far from grasp, Dog Furiendly asked for volunteers for all the Dogfests. Deprived of any semblance of freedom, I immediately volunteered for both days of Dogfest North and retrospectively checked if people would be available to see that week.

The day of Dogfest had arrived. I'd done it. Survived a week with the In laws (no hardship really, I'm quite lucky on that front!), managed to avoid concussion on the flumes (I may have belly flopped and smacked my face off one when excitedly racing the hubby, but all good, and no black eye!), Missy was devoid of injury and her arthritis was nowhere to be seen. We were ready. 

A group chat had been put together for us Explorers and, being told that my job today was to get content and enjoy it, I was almost vibrating with excitement (or possibly with the lack of sleep from excitement and copious amounts of tea). Missy had her game face on and we strutted through those big gates like we owned the place. 

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... 

Until I basically fell onto every dog visible for hugs and kisses. It took an hour for hubby to gently stear me to the Dog Furiendly stand as I excitedly ran off to grab another freebie, or cuddle another dog, or take Missys picture. She was on form - I've previously mentioned that she's never forced to do anything she doesn't want to, and that includes photos. You can tell when she's excited for the training (which is how she sees photos), and when she's too tired for it.

Saying that, we did make sure she got plenty of time to rest!

After the trek to the stall, I was signed into Dog Furiendlys Instagram and told to get photos and videos and share the excitement. Which would have been easy had the 4G not died a slow and horrible death owing to all ththe people sharing photos on thier Instagrams! Still, challenge accepted.

We did the Big Dog Walk (the 2km route, Missy had a long day ahead of her), and went round pimping Dog Furiendly to anyone who asked about the tshirt I had on, and made lots of conversations with the stall holders and other dog owners. 

There was really too much going on to see everything, which isn't a bad thing, really. Ironically the Manchester Police Dogs was the only thing I'd bookmarked as a must do, and it was cancelled after they were called put on a job. Best excuse really, perhaps next year! 

Knowing that we were being joined with family for day 2 we didn't do the fun dog shows or have a try events. At 8, Missy needs to be made to pace herself, she hasn't quite figured out yet that she's getting old. We did however enter her in for Scruffts Golden Oldie.

For those not in the know, Scruffts is the only category in Crufts that allows mongrels to compete (outside of dance/agility etc). In order to get into the shortlist for Crufts, you have to win one of the many heats going on through the year. I didn't expect to do well, seeing as Missy is often mistaken as a younger dog, so we just entered for funzies. 

So I was legitimately shocked at this:

Second! With her own legitimate kennel club ribbon!

Its getting framed, the print is already in the post.

So that wrapped up day 1. And we were all beat. Early nights all round (after Missy got a big well deserved treat, of course). 

Day 2 started with an Explorer meet up. It was nice to finally meet some of the crew who I've been collaborating with over the last 2 years (I became an Explorer just before lockdown hit).

My sister and her family joined us, as did the in laws. I wasn't sure how Ruby would be, but I was mistaken in my concern, it being my FIL who was most overwhelmed at the experience. 

This time we did DogFest as a more normal event - there was tombolas (my neice and nephew are clearly lucky charms, they walked away with teddies and t shirts and all sorts of things!). We also tried Loveliest Lady (a dalmatian was "spot on" and won, but I got to meet Michaela Strachan (Missy tried to sway her with cuddles, but alas, it was to no avail) so was pleased with that. My inner 10 year old was in absolute joy. 

Most of the "have a go" things are too high impact for Missy these days - whilst she could have easily managed the hay bale race, I'm wanting to preserve her knees as best I can. Still, my neice took Missy round the obedience ring (we had a great deal, she gave Missy the treats and I said the commands) and Missy even walked onead for her beautifully around the last part of the ring. Missy is still learning new tricks, adapting to the neices and nephews whims as they grow.

We did try for Scruffts again (prettiest bitch) but didn't place. I was still on cloud nine from our previous success, so honestly didn't mind. A German shepherd cross won, which I had to agree was a beautiful dog, so I didn't mind. 

After that, everyone was absolutely knackered. Between the shock of the crowds, the unexpectedly nice weather, the good company and being on feet all day, we said our final goodbyes and went separate ways. I would have liked to have seen more of my neice and nephew, but between our action packed week, my adopted into family and school, there really wasn't time. Hopefully I'll see them again before the year is out!

Would I Dogfest again? Absolutely! 

But I need to recover from this one first! 

A Big Manchester Holiday

This post will be in 2 parts - for Dogfest, the post will be up later this week, in the meantime, here's our action packed trip to Manchester! 

So, the plan had always been a week trip down south to make a holiday of Dogfest. As explorers, we received complimentary tickets to go and figured a trip visiting relatives was long overdue whilst at the same time having our own base to still go and do our own thing. 

We received some bad news a few months back in that hubby's uncle had had a heart attack and, due to his pre existing conditions, was in a bad way. We had already mentioned to the in-laws our plan to go and do the family circuit, so we weren't surprised when they asked if they could tag along with. Thankfully I was only just looking for places to stay, so we accommodated the extra dog and couple quite easily.

The calm before the storm!

Plans were reshuffled and a rough itinerary was put together with the in laws arriving Sunday and us all leaving Monday. We kept the travel as easy as we could and stopped first of all at Gretna Green Village (top photo). It has a better space for dogs to run about than the Gretna services, and provided a good spot to take a long lunch.

Then we shuttled down to my sisters to walk the dogs at the big park by hers. By coincidence, the Airbnb was only 7 minutes from hers (I had booked the location based on midway between Tatton Park for Dog Fest and our poorly Uncle). There was much thanking as we queued for a quick privvy break and then I got to sit back and watch my MIL get a guided tour of my sisters craft room. They were soon cackling away together and I was content knowing that the families would work well for our get togethers. 

Tuesday was planned as awonder about Blackpool before hubby and FIL went to check the lay of the land with the relatives. I was originally a bit put out at the suggestion of mooching about the tat epicentre of Northern England, but reminded myself that the weekend was solely for Missy and I, and went along in good grace.

I'm pleased I did. Whilst we didn't "do" anything, we managed a walk along the promenade, explored the birthplace of Sooty at the North pier and rode the merry-go-round there. We tried to set it up as a little spur of the moment photoshoot for the in laws with me riding a horse in front of them and hubby getting photos from the sides. The in laws are much like myself and the hubby, thousands of photos of the dogs, and none of ourselves! 

Ruby hasn't learned to pose like Missy has (well, I say pose, she really just has a very good sit and stay command) so we tried throughout the holiday to various success to get some photos of them together. 

After all of the above, we walked back via the shops before letting the dogs run on the beach to the south of the south peir which allowed dogs. Missy got to play in the arcade (the in laws decided against allowing Ruby in) and then we all had fish and chips in true Lancaster fashion. 

(As an East of Scotland girl, I will always lament the lack of "sauce", no matter what people say of it!) 

The evening was quiet as we waited for the update that would really shape the holiday: how well was our poor Uncle? Hubby and FIL were pleased to announce that, whilst he couldn't really stay on his feet, his humour was as sharp as ever and he was keen to see visitors. 

Tuesday was a doggy day off and FILs official retirement. We celebrated by running around the flumes at Sandcastle Waterpark. MIL was not interested at all in coming and seemed to enjoy a quiet day to herself whilst we exhausted ourselves rushing up and down stairs. 

The day was finished with a meal out with my sisters family. As they would all meet at Dogfest, it seemed a good idea to introduce the kids to my in laws first. As FIL and BIL bonded over a camembert, MIL heard all about the books the kids were reading and the games they liked to play. A successful day, if I do say so myself! 

Thursday was the National Waterways Museum - a suggestion I made based on our previous adventure in the Chester area. 

It was interesting to see how it differed from our last visit in the days before plague. Some areas were shut, licenses had expired on some of the engines that were used for demos, and the museum was under refurbishment. Despite that, there was new boats to climb aboard, and the cottages had been done up. Well worth the revisit. 

We finish the day all visiting Aunt and Uncle (and visited by Granny) and having a truly Northern dinner. Mince and potato pie. Lamb hot pot. Mashed potato. And liver, but I avoided that plate and tried all the rest. There was syrup pudding and apple pie for dessert and we all chatted and laughed at the squirrels on the feeder.

Both dogs were thankfully asleep. It may have been a small disaster had Missy clocked the furry beasts. As it was, she stole the sofa and cuddled up to Aunt and Uncle where I overheard a few soft "oh, just like oor Tara"s from them. I've previously seen photos of Tara, a Manchester heeler, and she sounded a wonderful dog with a temperament similar to Missy. FIL tried to damage control the comments with a "oh, but they do love her as Missy in her own right," but I know that comparing someone else's dog to your most beloved pet is a high compliment, so brushed it off as endearment.

On Friday, we managed a rare day of "winging it", something I have been unable to really do owing to covid. Firstly we visited the Blue John Cavern where everyone was very impressed at the dogs. Missy is well practiced on stairs from years of castles, so she comfortably managed the 250+ steps on the way down and then the return.

It quickly became a joke that we went all the way down to go all the way up at Peveril Castle. 

Calling it a castle is an exaggeration, it being more a single storey watch tower, but the winding path was certainly worth the stunning views. We all admired them for some time, a landscape quite different from home despite its similar beginings through glaciation. 

And I will leave the blog there for today, the last tranquil moment before the enjoyable chaos of Dogfest:

Pancakes?

Is that the face of true love, or just really wanting that peice of pancake? 

It's been a quiet weekend, which we've needed to recharge from a few busy weeks. Work has been very busy for us all and we're still trying to figure out a routine that let's us enjoy weekends without burning out.

Friday we finished up the birthday run seeing some local friends who have just moved house and both hubby and I were delighted with a voucher for Stack and Still as a gift. It was good having a quiet catch up and we ended up staying longer than we had intended.

Saturday was a rare quiet day in. It was by BILs birthday weekend and he and hubby decided on a boys day together, leaving me and Missy to have a girls day in. It was nice having time to just bumble about and potter about the garden and get on with some sewing. My latest project is an upcycle - I was given a bag of old jeans that I've turned into a bean bag. I will confess that I'm ridiculously pleased with how it came out as, sometimes, upcycles don't turn out all that pretty. 

Today has been a cleaning day. Scrubbed the house top to bottom before our neighbours pop round to go over budgie care as we have a holiday coming up. With that voucher burning a hole in our pockets, we decided that we deserved to go out and have a treat for lunch. 

The staff were great with Missy, although it was obvious that, despite being dog friendly, they don't get a lot of doggy visitors. The main clue being the fact that when we went to get seated, the lady serving us had to really think about where we were to be sat. 

Missy, as always, put on an exemplary display of good behaviour. She sat/lay under the table and didn't make a sound as we ordered food. I spotted that they had gluten and lactose free pancakes and, in a moment of "why the hell not", we decided to order Missy her own pancake.

The girl serving us, after a moment of confusion about a plain pancake for special diets, accepted the explanation with a laugh. 

Then one of the kitchen staff popped over to double check something hadn't gone wrong with the order. And then laughed about it.

And after that I'm pretty certain every staff member on the floor popped by to check on us and watch Missy get fed little peices of pancake. 

The kids at the table behind us were absolutely delighted about this, and it never ceases to amaze me how much children are more observant than their parents. Every time Missy was mentioned, it was a kid pointing her out to a parent who had failed to see her. 

Nonetheless, Missy very much enjoyed the pancake and the attention. Although all of us are gonna have to go on a long walk this afternoon to burn off the calories! 

Paws at the Palace v2

It's been a quick week with work being a bit crazy, but that means that the wait for Paws at the Palace 2021 didn't seem as long!

With it being based at Scone Palace in Perth, we had decided to use it as our monthly Perth get together and have a girls trip (with hubby in tow, who these days is an honorary girl anyway). The weather was set to be fair and Missy had gotten over her poor spell at the start of the week (she'd scavenged something that did not agree with her). So we bundled on the car and set off to Perth.

It turns out we all had super crazy weeks. Between one friend in the process of selling her house, the other having crazy staff issues with work, and my dealing with an incident at work, we were all completely beat. So it was a very leisurely day out where we simply chatted with the other dog owners and cuddled all the doggos. 

Everyone agreed it was exactly what we needed for the soul, ally he happy dogs giving cuddles. 

We all mooched about the stalls, stopped for lunch and ice cream. Watched the agility. Had a wee wander about the grounds, stopped for tea and cake (I can finally say I've had a scone at Scone!), and entered Missy into best rescue.

She didn't place, but I know she's the best, so it doesn't matter! 

We filled the day with chat and laughter and had a great time all round.

Definitely the day we all needed! 

Driving through a Successful Weekend

It's been a manic week! Hubby was doing a zoom magic show for a carers group with G (and yes, they did wear thier dandy waistcoats), so that took up the bulk of the evenings of the week with various rehearsals. I'm officially the tech guy of the shows now and do the toggling of the spotlight on zoom, freeing up the magicians to get on with the show.

On top of losing the evenings, work has been very busy for us both. I went into the office Wednesday and got to see a few of my colleagues, and inevitably lost a lot of working time to catching up. As lovely as that was, I did spend the rest of the week trying to catch up as, fate be darned, everything decided it wasn't going to work the way it was meant to.

So of course I was completely caught on the wrong foot for the weekend when our friend arrived from Dundee as the start of the birthday get together. Hubby was out an hour late to add to the chaos, but everything worked out and we chatted away and played games for the evening. 

Saturday was National Bowtie day. I had planned on doing her photoshoot during the week, but just didn't find time, so the morning walk turned into a photoshoot. Of course I didn't have to do one, but I adore her "party collar" and wanted to make a fuss of Missy - hubby just let's me get along with it, but I could tell our friend thought I was absolutely barmy. The mission was a success, I'm pleased to say! Since I'd made such a fuss of the day, we decided to keep her in the party collar for the afternoon catch up with our friends with the twins. 

(Spoiler: they loved her collar that much they insisted it be worn the following day too). 

It was a good catch up, we played in the park all together and then I got beaten by two 7 year olds on the computer games. We swapped pressies once dad was up from his nap (that long covid is going nowhere soon) and spent the rest of the day playing with the laser tag set we'd gotten them. A good day! Safe in the knowledge they were seeing us the next day, bedtime went off without a hitch and we grown ups hung out for a bit. 

As promised, Missy was looking her best for the Vintage Car Show at Newhailes Estate and Gardens. It was a great day. One can never be sure on how family friendly a car show is going to be, but this was perfect. From the volunteer fire brigade letting the kids try on helmets and sit in the truck to a motorcycle gang helping to pick the kids up to sit on the bikes and rev the engines. There was something for everyone. Dundee friend loved the bmx stunt show, the kids couldn't decide between the fire truck or the tractors whilst hubby and I loved the number of dogs also in attendance. And of course I got Missy to pose with the soft hearted bad boys:

My brother even managed to pop by for a bit so the kids finally got to meet Maisie. They fawned over the little fluffball who was keen for cuddles, which isn't much like Maisie at all. We quickly realised that the noise was upsetting her, so my brother did a wee tour de force of the show and took her a walk before heading off. A pity, but now we know to think about that for future invites. 

And then it was home time. We said cheerio to the kids and drove home before saying goodbye to our Dundee friend. And then it was the tidy up. It's amazing how much more mess just one extra person produces! 

Missy is sound asleep and all is well. A good weekend all round, although, could I have another to try and recover from this one? 

Sailing for Adventure

Yesterday was agood day - not only was I spoiled for my birthday, it was the Pirates event at Duncarron Medieval Village (well, for this weekend it was renamed Port Carron!). As you can see, we went all out in the costume department. Whilst hubby and I were dressed up (more on that later) Missy was quite rightly the absolute centre of attention with cries of "pirate dog!" following us through the day. 

We arrived for opening. There was no plundering and pillaging as we were escorted up to the village but we were immediately greeted by two Jack Sparrows, in full character, sashaying over to us, stealing hats and posing for photos when we were able to stand up straight from all the laughter. They decided hubby, in his royal blue coat, looked like a young Gibbs, and he was henceforth called as such. 

I wanted to get Missys photoshoot done quickly (those little white sleeves didn't stay white for very long) which meant a quick tour de force around the Port where we were corralled by a dozen people desperate to say hello to her. Honestly, it was like handling a celebrity. 

I'm still shocked that she was the only dog dressed up - Missy has a store bought pirate dress and a pirate jumper that have been used for Halloweens past, so I expected to see a few of those! 

Nonetheless, my mother was insistent that there be photos of me and hubby on my birthday, so she had us pose too and I got nice photos of her as well. Being away from the bulk of the visitors, and more than happy to chat, our photos were quickly filled with other pirates and we were given basically a private tour of a weapons armament and a ships surgeons table. 

We were photobombed by LARPers (one pretended to be about to strike my mother's head off with a sword) and we started the next lap of the port, looking at stalls and chatting to anyone who would listen. Hubby had decided that he wanted to try some walk about magic and, after cheekily dashing up to offer the pirate band some sweets following a joke they made, decided to take the plunge and give it a go. He never comes across nervous, but I can always tell. He preformed for stall holders and LARPers, for the mermaids and for Jack Sparrow 1 (who took a shine to us after we hid from the rain in the LARP weapon store together. 

Boy did it rain. 

Once the squall passed my eldest sister arrived with eldest neice and nephew and on went the shenanigans. 

Hubby was approached by Jack 1 as we were leaving. 

"Have you been commissioned for here? The tricks and whatnot?" 

Hubby - "No, it's all voluntarily." 

"Well you've got everyone very excited and talking about it - that's really cool, appreciate it." 

And just like that, he was back in character. 

"Gibbs! You me throw me hat." 

We had an absolute blast. Missy was fawned over by everyone (she even had a song dedicated to her by the band: Dogs and Freaks by Golden Apple for those on Spotify). The Mermaids (in human form sneaking off for tea) joining in on a magic trick and seeing the look of absolute astoundment on thier faces was a highlight. Having a go at throwing knives. Joining in on a sea shanty; honestly, it was the best way to spend a birthday following three lockdowns. 

I feel a need to take a moment in the sewing part of the blog. My pirate costume is a well established costume - my long koi coat, a captain Hook hat and other embellishments and I'm ready to theatrically sail the seven seas. Hubby I've been chasing for months about a pirate costume, suggesting fabrics and cuts and he kept declining, saying he'd just wear a Jacobite shirt and be done with it. Fine. I'd focus on Missys instead. 

As you can see, her little coat is designed to look like a waistcoat and, whilst I knew those sleeves wouldn't stay white, I honestly couldn't resist (spoiler, they were black by the end of the day, but bonus, once it was off Missy, she was spotless).

I just finished up, pleased to have it done with a week to spare when hubby shuffles in. 

"So, you know how I said I didn't want a coat?..." 

He got into a conversation about Monkey Island at work, and was told he should cosplay as Guybrush. His argument was that he didn't want me to go through the effort to make something he would wear once. This he could cosplay in, go to fancy dress party's in (party? What's that?!). 

I looked at him. There's always one important thing to ask a magician. 

"How many pockets?" 

"... How many can you add?" 

I gleefully took the challenge and, after 5 days, finished the coat. Its both piratey and yet he could dress it up as an admirals coat. A pair of stockings and he could even be a Prince. Detailed photos will go on insta next week, I didn't have time to get any before the event! 

I shall leave on a rare note in this blog, a family portrait:

Slumber Party

I will warn you now that this post is going to get confusing with names, Maisie and Missy are far too similar! 

So, my brother is going to go away for a few days somewhere that isn't dog friendly, so we decided to meet up at Newhailes (now that we are National Trust members after last weeks visit) and visit the site when there isn't an event on. With a vintage car show at the end of the month that my brother really fancies, I expect you'll be seeing a lot of this place in future. With a run of busy weekends ahead, we'd earmarked this one as a quiet one to get on top of jobs and take at a more sedentary pace. 

Maisie is a character. That wide cheeky grin tells you all you need to know: selective hearing to the max, insists that everyone is her best friend and obedient only just enough that she knows when to stop toeing the line and get forgiven. A daddy's girl and a princess. At least, she is for my brother. Take him out the equation and the springs come off her paws and she just chills out with Missy. A completely different dog.

First time I saw this I panicked thinking she was in some depressive state but no, she's got a hearty appetite, plays if I engage with her and no pining or whining. It's the strangest thing!

I have seen a similar thing with my eldest neice and nephew, all those cheeky traits vanish and I'm left wondering who is getting the performance: the parents, or me. They want to come back (the neice and nephew, I mean) so clearly they do enjoy thier time with me!

But I digress. Everyone else in the family thought I was mad to offer to take Maisie, but I know she'll be just fine with us! (and the budgies, that was the only thing I was worried about, and she couldn't care less about them). 

Newhailes provided a lovely walk. After meeting up in the car park, we all went all round the fields and then ended up at the cafe for a slice of cake, good conversation and a pot of tea. If only all our walks finished so splendidly.

From there, Maisie came with us. She had a mad 10 minutes where every corner and toy was thoroughly sniffed before she climbed up on the sofa and fell asleep with Missy.

The true test will be the next two days (and nights) as its only a short holiday, but here's hoping. My brother does deserve a nice holiday, and I would like to be able to offer him a chance to go away properly.

I haven't forgotten the sewing, although I will confess that this project took far too long owing to a loss of my Sew-Jo. I liked the colours, I liked the pattern, it was the usual level of simple with an intermediate garnish that I like best, and yet I struggled with this.

I have a few reasons for that. Firstly, this project (its one of two matching waistcoats) was commissioned when my hubby's magic partner found out he had prostate cancer. Hubby had joked for a long time they should be wearing matching outfits, and decided that was the time to make the joke a reality. 

G, as I will refer to him, is that older generation which hides everything beneath a witty remark so whilst the banter was there, I had no idea if his joke of "if I never perform in it, I'll make sure they bury me in it" was because his prognosis was worse than he let on, or because he was genuinely so confident about getting through it.

So I stalled. I didn't like the lining fabric and bought another one (the backs antique gold, like the pockets). My findings were silver and I wanted gold. Unusually for a sewing pattern, it turned out small for the size. Every excuse to delay, I found, every problem that could happen, did.

Gs operation was a success. He struggled with the intensive chemo and needs some corrective surgery, and a double check in six months, but he's doing well. We're booked in to all see a magic show together ("time for the wives to meet", as such). They (G and his wife) love the waistcoats and he and hubby are discussing the next gig, so life seems to be carrying on.

I'm pleased with the waistcoats, but more happy they have been done and the chapter they represent is off my sewing table. Just like that, I'm one project down and blitzing through a second. Funny how these worries manifest themselves.

And I am rather looking forward to seeing hubby and G in thier matching waistcoats for the next show!