We have just had sixteen nights away in the motorhome and have visited five different sites up and down the country. At our second site, in Lancaster, 'Her Indoors' was attending her academy at Lancaster University, leaving 'Him Indoors' in charge of us dogs. He tried to take us for our afternoon walk by himself and, as he lacks experience in the dual walking department, ran into trouble pretty quickly. I refused to budge. I don't like changes to my routine and 'Her Indoors' is the primary dog walker in our household. Having been coxed into action, we then met an off-lead, roaming Jack Russell, who clearly had designs of a dishonourable nature, on Bear, and 'Him Indoors' had to rapidly step in to defend her from his amorous advances. After we got back from that walk, 'Him Indoors' was searching out the beer. and grimly texting 'Her Indoors' with an update.
Said Jack Russell turned up, unaccompanied, outside our motorhome, the following night leaving 'Them Indoors' wondering if Bear was coming into season, although she didn't display any of the signs they'd been led to expect. However, none of the other dogs we've met on holiday have displayed any untoward inclinations with regards to the pupster, so we finally just nicknamed the Jack Russell, Randy, and checked the storage compartments for a potential small stowaway before we left for the next site.
We moved onto Richmond in Yorkshire, where, as luck would have it, our visit overlapped by a day with Louise and Graham, the delightful hupeeps of Fergus and Toby from the BTPosse. We had a lovely walk together with the hupeeps chatting for England and Scotland respectively. Bear was beside herself with excitement, and I discovered , in Fergus, a Border Terrier marginally bigger than me, quite an achievement. Anyway, all the dogs walked politely together and we enjoyed an unexpected mini tweet-up. The following day we were supposed to meet up for a long-arranged walk with my Pal Eric, and his lovey hupeeps, Julie and Peter. Unfortunately, at the very last minute, it was discovered that Eric had been in contact with a fur who had developed kennel cough, and as both Bear and I are due our vaccination, we reluctantly decided not to risk it. Very disappointing as we live a long way apart and don't get the chance to meet very often.
Whilst we were staying at Richmond, we made a pilgrimage to Thirsk and the James Herriot museum. Now not only was James Herriot, or Alf Wight as he really was, a writer who could make 'Her Indoors' Dad laugh out loud when reading his books, but he was also an animal lover and, best of all, a Border Terrier owner. Whilst, rather oddly all things considered, we furs were not allowed into the museum, 'Them Indoors' took it in turns to go in and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Our visit to Richmond coincided with Bear, in a now familiar ritual, eating her was through her lead, which engendered an emergency visit to a couple of pet shops to try and find a chain one that could withstand the rigours of her teeth. Bear also managed to chew through two guy ropes, part way through my stake-out tether and her camping food bowl which was a bit of an own goal. However, her most worrying moment came when 'Her Indoors' was sitting outside happily reading her book with Bear sleeping next to her, on her tether, or at least we thought she was... 'Her Indoors' discovered Bear had disappeared through a gap in the hedge behind our pitch, and, at the full stretch of her lead, had discovered the electric cable for the caravan behind us. 'Her Indoors' was horrified to see Bear lying next to the cable, chewing, and producing orange shreds that looked like the cables' coating. Bear was hastily retrieved and put in the motorhome, whilst 'Her Indoors' trotted round to explain, apologise and offer compensation. When she got there however, the people were out, and, on close inspection of the cable, it was found that Bear had been chewing a rather orangey stick next to it, rather than the cable itself. Panic over, although it has to be said that 'Her Indoors' supposition was not unfounded.
We did lots of good stuff on holiday. Bear personally greeted half of Yorkshire and there were also a couple of cooked breakfasts where our divine right to the last sausage was respected, although I had to share with Bear. We had some great walks, although Bear had to learn that the correct response to birdwatching at an RSPB reserve is to settle down for a quick snooze whilst 'Them Indoors' peer excitedly down binoculars or a telescope. Bear found a large feather to carry round, although 'Her Indoors' did rightly point out that small terrier with feathers in its mouth on a bird reserve probably wasn't the best look...
We also visited a model village in Sewerby, which let furs in. I trotted around politely on my lead, but Bear was fascinated by the model train which she wanted to chase. She also hopped over the fence into the middle of the model cricket match and 'Her Indoors' had visions of her running off with one of the figures and giving them a quick chew, so she was quickly helped back onto the path and kept on a short lead. We managed to get out without incident which was a mercy.
At our final site, we enjoyed the delights of two enclosed dog walking fields where both Bear and I could chase around off-lead. There are not many places where this happens as I'm not good with children or some other dogs, so 'Her Indoors' usually keeps me firmly tethered. And although we have a good-sized garden at home, I'm far too busy obsessing about Ol' Fluffy Woofy, the Leonberger next door, for such frivolous fun. Someone has to keep watch at the boundary. Anyway, here, we could run around to our heart's delight although Bear did little frustrated barks when I was faster than her. Still, I can't imagine that situation will last for long, she's growing at a rapid pace.
So a good time was had by all and although it is lovely being away, it's also great to be back home and into our familiar routine. However, now 'Him Indoors' has retired, we are hoping to do a bit more motorhoming. New adventures beckon...
