ERNIE'S LAST DAY

Sauntered along , taking our time, chatting and laughing today!  The realisation that Summer has probably come and gone, hit us... The allotments seen through the fence looked magical in the early morning sunshine.  Heavy dew and a different feel in the air, and that wet dog smell, everywhere! 

Talking of wet dogs, it is Ernie's last walk with us before he goes home.  I really enjoyed the company, and he has made me smile, but rather like grandchildren, it's great when the parents return - you can give them back and relax!

Today Collett Park was positively buzzing  - the boot camp in action at the top end, heaps of dogs and walkers, and a plethora of wild life! The squirrels were so brazen flying around. Helen desperately tried to capture them on her camera - this was the best she could manage! 

Think we felt slightly guilty that we just plodded around this morning, so we finished up on the exercise machines in the park,  luckily the zip wire was out of action!  Ernie couldn't resist trying to get in on the action!

We also took Ernie to see the market setting up.  Unsurprisingly, his favourite was the pet stall - hoping for some treats!

The mysterious lilac ribbons appeared again today, obviously a marker for some trail - must find out what... 

SOGGY DOGGY

The forecast was right - more rain and yet more rain!  I woke up at 5am to a torrential downpour and my immediate thought was we are going to get soaked this morning! Fortunately, it had eased off by the time we started our walk at 7am.

On our walks we are constantly dismayed by the amount of dog poo we have to avoid - on pavements, lanes, footpaths, everywhere!    We have even named one pathway, which leads from houses into fields, Poo Alley!  This week having our lovely doggy companion, Ernie, brought the subject even more into focus.  We took bags with us and followed him around! On Monday it was easy as we used one of the dog litter bins in the park.  Today, not a bin in sight, so we can see why dog owners get fed up of carrying around their full poo bags and end up throwing them in the hedgerow instead of disposing them at home.  

The thing with dog poo is that it is not only extremely unpleasant but it is dangerous to public health, especially in young children's play areas.  It is not only direct contact that can cause disease but rain drives fecal matter into water supplies and they become contaminated.  So, thinking that if your dog does his business in the countryside it is ok to leave it, is simply not true.  In fact, since May 1997 'you are legally obliged to clear up after your dog if it fouls any land open to air to which the public have access'.

Above is the story of our walk - from urbanisation to countryside within a short distance.  We met up with some fellow dog walkers.  The ground was soggy and we could  see more signs of Autumn encroaching.  Keeping our fingers crossed for some sunshine before the dark, murky mornings begin...  I noticed a purple ribbon attached to this tree below - heard to tying a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree but never one this colour!

EAGER ERNIE

Our guest today was Ernie, a Jack Russell.  He is a really lovely buddy and is actually staying with me for the week!  He really enjoyed keeping up a pace, with myself and Helen.  I think we wore him out - he was eager to get back to my place (see pic bottom left)! 

I have a good look inside 'Just Jo's gift shop in Town Street. There is a great window on Alice in Wonderland.  I think Ernie wants to chase the white rabbit!

Huge shock to see ducks in the park up to all sorts of antics as the pond is overflowing its banks  - we have never seen it that way! Just shows how much rain we have had.  Although this morning it was very damp, it didn't actually start to rain until we were near home.  However more is forecast...