Christmas Update

Well, we are getting very bad at updating you with our Welsh Springer Tales!

Another year has just flown by and as usual we celebrated Tess’s 6th Birthday with her brother Wilby. Much fun was had by all with a lovely long walk in the grounds of Sandringham, followed by chocolate cake for the humans and doggy cup cakes for the Welshies! But as we told you, after our break with tradition, holidaying in Somerset which was wonderful, we left Tess with Wilbys owners and had a week in Blakeney for the first time without our beloved little girl. It was a little strange but, although Norfolk is very doggy friendly, it meant we could do a few things we usually can’t with a dog in tow. We visited Titchwell Bird Reserve, had a tour of Holkham Hall, and ate in some lovely restaurants which don’t allow dogs.

Tess had a ball spending every day on the beach or romping in woods and gained the nickname ‘Dora the Explorer’ as she is the most nosey little spaniel having to investigate everywhere and making our friends just a little nervous as to whether she would actually come back! I was very happy she was in such good hands and was very relieved she behaved herself most of the time and especially at bed time.

Unfortunately we have had to put Tess into kennels a couple of times this year, but she seems
very happy and trots in without looking back. We also left her for a day with our usual dog sitting friends who welcomed a new Welsh Springer Spaniel pup into their household this year. We felt it was unfair for her to stay for any length of time while they were settling in their new addition, but it was a good exercise to see how the three of them would get on, and I’m pleased to say, all was well. Apparently puppy followed Tess everywhere which wouldn’t have pleased her much and she seemed very pleased to see us when we arrived to pick her up after our day in London, visiting Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews. To be highly recommended!!!

So we’re heading towards Christmas yet again. We can now safely put the tree up, but make sure all presents and chocolates are kept at a safe distance from little paws!! We’ll be visiting friends in Sherwood Forest so Tess will have a brilliant time with acres and acres of woods to play in and celebrating the New Year festivities at home with parents visiting and no doubt bringing a little
something for our dear little Welshie to open.

So it just remains to say a Very Happy Christmas to all our Welsh Springer Spaniel friends
out there and all the very best for a peaceful and prosperous New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011 Update

Another year seems to be flying by and Tess has been too busy to write her blog!!!!

We should have told you about our wonderful snowy Christmas which we spent in the Yorkshire Dales in a village called Askrigg. You may have heard of it as it was used in the tv programme, All Creatures Great and Small, and recently mentioned in The Dales. We stayed in a beautiful cottage right in the heart of the village, which had the most friendly community spirit making it a memorable traditional Christmas. All the more fun as there was lots of snow on the ground, making for fun dog walks and magical scenery, including frozen rivers and waterfalls. Tess loved it although she had to stay on the lead most of the time as there were so many sheep around, plus a few rabbits and chickens!!!! Too tempting for a little Welshie!!!!!

Now we all know how the Welsh Springer Spaniel breed isn’t the most common but have you noticed how you often bump into one in the most unexpected places?
One day when we were walking through the fields we saw a spaniel approaching. As it got closer we realised it was another Welshie. Always exciting to see our favourite breed and the dogs always seem to recognise one another.

A little while ago we were spending a weekend with friends, leaving Tess behind with her usual sitters, and spent the day in the Peak District. More stunning scenery. And would you believe, we were strolling round Bakewell and bumped into another Welshie!

This year we have decided to have a change and will be holidaying in Somerset, rather than Norfolk, so watch this space for more stories. We’re not deserting Norfolk completely though as we’re having a short break in Blakeney later in the year, but this time we’re leaving Tess with her brother. Should be interesting……..

Oh and our good friends who often dog sit for us and are Welsh Springer Spaniel owners – you all know Nesta – are getting a puppy! Now what will Tess make of that I wonder????????????????