A day with the watercress beds & Shepherd's Hut pub

A Watercress Day with a Dish of Whitebate and a Glass of Beer Thrown in for Good Measure.

Barnaby visits Jerome K Jerome's grave at Ewelme

 Our main reason for visiting the delightful little village of Ewelme, South Oxfordshire, was to see the watercress beds which flourish there, but Barnaby also wanted to pay homage to one of his favourite writers Jerome K Jerome who is buried in St Mary's Church yard next to his wife Ettie. Barnaby particularly admires the way that Mr Jerome has included the spunky little dog Monterency to his famous story Three Men in a Boat, which takes place on his favourite river - The Thames.

Yes, he saw the watercress beds too and was fascinated by the way the water wove its way through the cress.  He doesn't like watercress very much, but admires the way it grows here - and in abundance. The  stream in which he watercress grows flows the entire length of the village and is fed by streams. This wonderful crop of cress flourished during the 20th century such that it was sold all over the country, including Covent Garden, but unfortunately regulations finally prevented the cress from this site being sold. Obviously this led to  the bed's demise.  Thanks to the Chilton Society the beds thrive now, as the they have invested in a programme of conservative revival.

Of course we had to visit the local pub, The Shepherd's Hut, which is a comfortable little hostilary you would expect to find in a village deep in the countryside ( Eweleme is south of the B4009 two miles east of Benson). It's just a pub standing on the edge of the village and close to the watercress beds..  It has a little garden and a reasonably sized bar area where dogs are allowed.

Indeed it has a really cosy atmosphere. Dogs such as Barnaby are very welcome as long as they behave themselves - Barnaby behaved himself! He particularly enjoyed his nice cup of tea which was served for him in a plastic dish, with several ice cubes floating around to cool it down.  Uncle John and I ordered whitebait served with chips and a salad.  Simply delicious a perfectly match for our beer. We chose Tribute which matched the whitebait perfectly. As we drank we raised our glasses to this gorious little red brick village with its charming pub, friendly village shop, historic church, watercress and the many friendly residents who helped make our day out so perfect. Thank you Ewelme we had a simply lovely day.

The Shepherd's Hut

Our delicious whitebait

Soon be time for Barnaby's introduction to agility

Barnaby will soon be old enough to attend agility classes

Barnaby says:  " Helen says that in a months time I will be one year old.  Well my birthday is September 29 actually, so it will be in just over a month's time and guess what when I have come of age I can begin taking agility lessons.......Oh what fun that is going to be.

But first dear Sue Baker, from Up N Over Dog Training Club, Upper Heyford, who has taken on the role of my personal trainer, says I still have a lot to learn before I begin jumping hurdles, climbing dog frames and leaping through tyres.



Barnaby and Sue Baker of Up N Over Dog Training Club
 

I mustn't, for example jump up and give people a big furry cuddle when I see them and I must sit still at all times while waiting for instructions.  These are things I do not always do, I find it so difficult to hold back when someone  enters the room who I long to hug. Sue is helping me curb these enthusiasms but as I still tend to go for the big hug, she is showing me how to stand still and simply smile  rather than rush up towards them at 70 miles an hour. Yes Sue is a very special person, exceptional actually as she loves doggies like me even when I am naughty and trains us dogs to all levels of Kennel Club Good Citizen Awards. As Sue has been doing this for more than 10 years so there is nothing much she doesn't know about training dogs like me.

The lovely thing about Up N Over is the amount of friends I am making.  I'll tell you about them all next time."
Barnaby



The lovely Amanda

The Lovely Amanda


Barnaby writes:

"I was just 10 weeks old when I first met the lovely Amanda, the landlady of The Harcourt Arms, Stanton Harcourt.  Helen, my mistress, had just travelled to Old Sodbury in the Cotswolds with Uncle John to collect me from a farm and take me home with her to be a companion dog. I had always assumed that I would become a working sheep dog like my brothers and sisters when I grew up - instead I am being trained up as a companion and pub reviewer who writes about dog-friendly pubs in Oxfordshire. for the Abingdon Herald and the Oxford Mail. 

Anyway, because of the floods our trip that day was 40 miles longer than it should have been because of diversions we had to take, so there came a moment not far from home when I was in desperate need of a comfort break - hence The Harcourt Arms.

The Harcourt Arms, Stanton Harcourt

The Lovely Amanda gives me a big hug

Helen carried me into the bar and immediately everyone rushed over to say "Hello". Having come straight from the farm I had never met so many people before.  It was all very confusing, but among all those faces was the Lovely Amanda, smiling at me and Oh what a smile.

After devouring a couple of bacon butties and downing a glass of the red stuff, Helen and Uncle John took me  back to the car and my new home in Eynsham.

This week Helen decided to call in at The Harcourt Arms again, and guess what - there she was - the lovely Amanda.  She remembered me!  Kept saying this couldn't possibly be a grown up version of that little puppy who called in to see her in December, but of course it was, so we had big, big hugs and I promised I would come back lots to see her when ever we were passing. Gosh that was a lovely encounter.

The operation

The Operation

Barnaby says:  "  I am not sure what happened yesterday. One moment I was walking into the doggie doctor's office the next I was surrounded by people in white coats - then I fell to sleep.

Helen was there for me when I woke up, I remember that, she was all kind of clingy and comforting, though I wasn't sure why she was comforting me, though admit feeling all sort of cold "down below".

Then there was the panic the next morning

The lampshade!

. Helen discovered that during the night I had licked places I should not have licked, and as a consequence removed things that should not have been removed. The vet had to tie things up again!

Then came the helmet, well not a helmet exactly, more of a lampshade, tied round my neck with pink ribbon - YES PINK..! Not only do I now look a really wally, I have great trouble finding a comfortable way of putting my head into my food and water bowl.  Getting through doors is almost impossible, and as for going upstairs, well I have to get Helen to help me with that.

No idea what is going on, though apparently it will go on for a further nine days!  Help..................!

The Rolling Stones & Barnaby

The Rolling Stones

Barnaby says:

 Helen insisted that I had to watch BBC2 tonight as they were showing the Glastonbury Festival and the Rolling Stones, who it seems are from the same generation as she is. 

She wanted me to recognise just how energetic her generation can be so that I don't get despondent about being a companion dog to an oldie. 

As Helen walks me for at least three miles a day,and spends much of the day filling up the holes I dig in the garden, how can I possibly worry about her being an oldie? I reckon she has as much energy as a youngster, and certainly as much as those "Stones"who were dancing across the telly screen with such amazing force.

A nice bowl of tea

A Nice Bowl of Tea sent to him by Bistro-tea who have created an innovative teapod

Barnaby enjoys a nice bowl of tea

Barnaby says:  "Well this little packet arrived in the post with my name on it, it was a single use, high-tech tea diffuser with a unique filtration system - in other words a "thing" that produced a really nice cup of tea. 

Well I should know, I am a dog who appreciates a nice bowl of tea. Helen  orders me a bowl of tea every time we visit a pub.  She has a glass of the red stuff and I have a nice cup of tea.
Am I not a very lucky dog to get tea samples arriving in the post for me too? It came from: www: bistro-tea.co.uk.

Winding Helen up

Winding Helen Up:

Barnaby says: " Helen has just marched me into the cottage, she was gritting her teeth as she unloaded me from the car and there were a few tears in her eyes.
Perhaps I shouldn't have done it, wound her up like I did, but it was such fun I just couldn't resist it.

Yes - we were at Up'N'Over, Upper Heyford, the fantastic club where I am being trained for my Kennel Club Bronze Certificate having graduated from the puppy class.

I do enjoy Up'N'Over as I get to meet some very interesting dogs and puppies there.  It also gives me a chance to wind Helen up.  It is such fun watching her get more and more frustrated until there comes a moment when she calls me a little B***** and threatens to give me away. (I think that is called the breaking point).

.

Last week I was so good Helen was boasting about how good I was, I think my antics today have brought her down to size.
She kept saying "when he is at home he is sooooo good" as of course I am, but there aren't many fun-distractions at home (apart from the pesky cats) so it is easy to be good.

The nice gentleman Dave who began the club with his lovely wife Sue did tell Helen not to worry, that I would soon grow up, but of course she is worrying.  Do you know what she did as soon as we got home?  Poured herself a glass of the red stuff and it was only just past 12pm!
Poor woman, I guess she didn't deserve all that I did to her. I'll cool it next week."
Barnaby

The Morris Dancers

Dancing until it got too dark to see

Barnaby meets the Morris Dancers

Eynsham is famous for its Morris Dancers who frequently gather in the village square for a dance or two.  Sometimes other Morris sides are invited to join them which turns it into a really jolly event. The sides that got together this week included: Charlbury, Maison's Apron, Wolvercote Morris, Bampton and Eynsham.

Barnaby meets Eynsham Morris

,

Bryan Ducworth.

kworth

Barnaby was thrilled to meet the Morris men, but really freaked out when he heard the drums. Indeed  he was so frightened he insisted I took him home immediately and then pulled me all the way back to the cottage at 70 miles an hour. Obviously he will get used to their music - he has to as it is very much part of village life and something that makes Eynsham so special.

Barnaby is getting into gardening with a vengance

Barnaby loves gardening

Barnaby in the garden

Barnaby says:
"There are times when my mistress Helen is a real spoil sport.  Today she got all twitchy about me coming into the cottage. Indeed she shut the kitchen door in my face when she saw me and as I am now far too big to get through the cat flap, here I am in the garden, shut out and unloved, while everyone else can go in and out when ever they want to.
As I replanted a couple of roses for her and pulled up several weeds she should be really thrilled that I am helping her - NOT SO!"

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?

Barnaby enjoying the bluebells at Pinsley Wood.

Just a brief note because there is something I need help with.
Barnaby has developed a new trick and it is worrying me.
Strangely it is something he only does in the morning, and only when he and I are alone. 

 Every morning we enjoy a two mile circular walk that takes us through several fields and a green lane.  There is a certain point on the walk, after Barnaby has entered the green lane, that he walks behind me for a while, then suddenly accelerates his speed, rushes towards me at 70 miles an hour and jumps up with great force, placing paws on my shoulders with such strength I am almost pushed over.
He thinks this is great fun, and does it several times.

Remembering what the instructors at Up N Over told me about not letting him get the better of me, I use growly words spoken in a loud angry voice to reprimand him as they suggested, but he doesn't seem to take any notice. He simply takes a deep breath and then does it all over again and I swear he laughs as he does this.

Is it a game? Is he cross with me?  Why the same place every day? What should I do? Should I change the walk to avoid the area that seems to generate this action?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Enstone walkies and lunch

Enstone walkies and lunch with auntie Kate, Carole and little Alfie.

Barnaby plays with litte Alfie the puppy and dear old Polly dogs in Kate's garden.

Barnaby says: "Gosh what a day.  I used up so much energy running round and round the fields with little Alfie that I was almost too exhausted to eat my dinner when we got home. Polly dogs joined in for a while, but because she is getting old now she does tend to curl up and sleep while we play.

Enstone is a magic place, it is known for its beautiful unspoiled rolling countryside, and its close proximity to an ancient Hoar Stone Burial Chamber that stands just outside the village near the village of Fulwell.  A blue plaque fixed to one of the cottages in Fulwell commemorates the life of the farm labourer and shepherd Mont Abbot whose life was written up by Sheila Stewart in her lyrical book Lifting the Latch, a social history that spans almost all of the 20th century.

Kate serves lunch in her lovely garden.

Old Mont always kept two sheep dogs, the training of the young one overlapping from the old, though he would never let the young one follow the experienced dog for too long in case they lost their initiative. His favourite dogs were old Ted and young Glen, who turned out to be a really topping dog.
I doubt there is a field in the Enstone area that Mont and his dog dogs did not work at some time or other."


The purpose of our visit to Enstone was for Barnabyy to meet up with Alfie and Polly dogs and to share lunch together at Kate's charming cottage.  As the weather decided to be kind to us we were all able to eat in the garden, and enjoy a lovely meal served with new Jersey Royal potatoes smothered in butter - delicious. Kate is a great cook.

We toasted the day with chilled Rose wine  - magic, though of course Barnaby is not allowed to drink wine. The dogs all enjoyed a big bowl of cold water instead.

One of the many beautiful meadows we walked before lunch.

Christmas Common walkies

Barnaby puts his paws under the table

Christmas Common Walkies - 3 miles 

Barnaby says: "When the weather forecasts suggests rain,winds and storms on the day we have decided on an adventure, Helen always chooses a walk through a woods as this provides protection from the elements to some degree.  Besides  she likes walking through woods.  

Christmas Common is a small hamlet near Watlington, Oxfordshire.  It is said to have got its name from the Christmas Day truce of 1643 between participants of the English Civil War.
She and Uncle John chose a walk that began at the pub The Fox and Hounds a Brakespear pub that allows dogs in the small bar area where they had lit the most glorious log fire, just the job given the weather that we had travelled through. 

There was just one slight problem, and something that the maps and guide books don't always warn you about. Cows! There they were in a field, half way along the path by the woods gazing at us in that kind of inquisitive way that cows do.  Because she has a "thing about cows" Helen freaked out, leaving Uncle John and me to hold them back while she galloped ahead.

Barnaby and Uncle John assessing the situation

  Gosh she is a wimp!
Because of the crackling wood-fire and the friendly welcome that we received on arrival, the pub turned out to be a really snug and comfortable place at the end of the walk.

The pub which has tables outside

Cows following!

Both Helen and Uncle John chose beef and horseradish baguettes for their lunch, while I ate my packed lunch that Helen had cooked for me (cottage pie and kibbles) which was served with a nice cup of tea. A perfect combination.   They drank Barakespear's Best Bitter and declared it very satisfying. What a lovely day we had despite the weather."

Barnaby has been promoted from Puppy Class!

Barnaby has been promoted from Puppy Class to Bronze!

Barnaby's friends in the Up N Over Puppy Class.

I guess I had better be honest and admit that it was probably Barnaby's physical size that finally prompted his tutors to allow him to leave the Puppy Class, despite not having mastered some of the basic behavioural patterns expected of him. Over the past few weeks he has watched his puppy friends moving on to the next class one by one to take their  Kennel Club Good Citizen Awards - Bronze, Silver and Gold.  He is now growing at such a rate that he has become far too large to play with some of the little ones, much as he would like to. So despite his exuberance it seems he is now on his way to obtaining some Kennel Club certificates.

The classes take place every Sunday morning on a disused airfield at the lovely little Oxfordshire village of Upper Heyford.  The Up N Over Club was founded in 2000 and has been going from strength to strength ever since.
As well as running basic classes there's also a fun agility course at the end of the day that all the dogs are allowed to take part in once they are old enough. (Barnaby will have to wait until September 29 the date of his first birthday).  When he does begin agility just watch this space because not only is he going to love it, he is going to be a real champion - of that I am sure!

Up N Over is a non profit making club, with any surplus funds going to Dog Rescue.  It's the club where my beloved Pythius-Peacocke trained.  He loved it, just as Barnaby loves it now.

Walkies by the River

Walkies by the River

Barnaby says:  "When Helen told me I was to lead a walk today, my first official engagement, I admit I did a double flip.  Well she might think I am old enough to take charge of a walkies, but I had my reservations. Even if I am growing up really quickly I am still a puppy, I don't have the experience she thinks I have.

Preparing to begin the walk

But off we went, arriving at Kennington at 9.30am as promised to meet the lovely group of enthusiasts who share a walk on a weekly basis.  I had been elected to lead the walk even though this was my first visit t Kennington.

All went quite well until I Helen let me off the lead. On seeing a group of ducks swimming on the river I simply leapt in (as one does) and attempted to catch one or two of the ducks. I didn't catch them of course it was fun! But people watching got very cross!  So did Helen.

Dear Sylvia Vetta a very talented writer who organises these events did accept that I am still a puppy and not totally responsible for what I do, but Helen remained cross, particularly when on puting me  on my lead and I pulled and pulled and pulled. She says her shoulders still hurt from all my pulling. She's convinced that her right arm is now at least 4 inches longer than the left one. What a fuss she makes when I up the pace and speed things up a little. 

The walk as such (Just a rather long mile and a bit) was indeed lovely as the sun came out quickly filling the scene with golden rays that filled the whole world before us with lush and beautiful scenery. The buttercups made their own statement the moment that the sun fell onto them adding a golden glow to the scene before us.  All very lovely. 

 

We all heard the cuckoo!

We All Heard the Cuckoo!

We are a strange mottley lot, the early morning enthusiasts who walk their dogs down the Chillbridge Road, on the western outskirts of Eynsham, the Oxfordshire village in which Barnaby and  I live.

At last Spring has arrived!

Because the weather has been so wretched for so long we have become accustomed to conducting our conversations with heads down to avoid the full force of the wind and hats firmly fixed on our heads to avoid being frozen to the marrow.

The dogs don't care of course they rush to meet each other and romp round the main field at 70 miles an hour.  Perhaps this is why we all use this plot. Space allows the dogs enough room to run and run and as a consequence exhaust themselves while we walk slowly on, hands stuffed in  pockets scarves tighly wound round our necks.

Well, that was yesterday> Today something quite remarkaable happened - the sun came out. And not out just for a moment only to  hide behind the clouds again - it came out in full - bright glowing and golden. ..and then suddenly while we were gazing at the sunbeams that were lighing up the field, the cuckoo began to sing.  First the sound came from a large clump of trees on the right, then gradually it moved a little to the left and then on little bit further towards the open fields in the Witney direction.

One by one we stopped walking, stood firm where we were and listened.  Having never heard a cuckoo before Barnaby stood by my side with his face towards the sound of the cuckoo's song. He appeared to be listening too!

 Finally the song stopped and one by one we walked on in the direction we had been travelling. Time for breakfast, time to get on with the rest of the day in the knowledge that how ever briefly, we all experienced a magical moment today.

Barnaby discovers the delights of asparagus

Barnaby Discovers the Delights of Home Grown Asparagus

The lovely Jill who works in the farm hut during the summer months and farmer Charlie Gee.

Barnaby says:  " Helen loves asparagus, she got really excited when Farmer Charlie Gee from Medley Manor Farm, Binsey Lane, Oxford, phoned her last week to say that finally the asparagus was  ready to harvest. Apparently this year has proved really difficult. There wasn't a much available earlier but it's growing quite well now.

 Many crops, particularly asparagus, are really late this year.  The asparagus season which is always sorter than most, will be even shorter this year. So, it's a matter of eating it while it's available.
Helen is convinced that the asparagus grown on this farm is the best  Oxfordshire can offer, she is also convinced that the asparagus grown in Oxfordshire rates as the best in the country.

So anyway, one way and another this is her favourite place during the summer, and I believe it is somewhere that she will be taking me often. Medley Manor Farm has a peaceful tranquil air, is full of birdsong and bursting with soft fruits and vegetables during the summer months.

This suits me well as the farm is down Binsey Lane, close to the Perch Inn and the River Thames, which means that every time we visit the farm a good day out is assured, including a bowl of tea at the Perch before we go home.

This is a picture of me Barnaby the Puppy, inspecting the  bundles of asparagus that Charlie and his helpers have picked.  I admit to tasting a spear that he had thrown out because it was misshaped - to my surprise I found it particularly tasty.  Charlie was delighted when he noticed I was enjoying it and so gave me permission to trot along the line and eat any misshapen spears that had been cut and then discarded.

 I wonder if I will enjoy the strawberries too?

The farm is open three days a week until the strawberries are ready, then it is open all day, everyday. It closes in the autumn once the sweetcorn has been harvested. For further information you can phone Charlie on 01865 241251".

Barnaby visits a Bluebell Wood

Barnaby encounters his first Bluebell Wood and it fills him with wonder

Barnaby visits a Bluebell Wood

I am not sure if dogs can fully appreciate colour as we do, but be assured the do feel something when they are suddenly thrust into a bluebell wood on a warm day in May. 

Barnaby entered the wood with a rush (he enters all new things with a rush) then stopped and looked and looked again. It was as if the beauty of the scene had overwhelmed him.  It certainly overwhelmed Auntie Liz and me for even though it's a scene that presents itself year after year after year, that first sight of it in early May is still breathtaking - perhaps this year more than ever because of the cold winter that had gone before.

Bluebells

We were walking Pinsley Wood an ancient remnant of Wychwood Forest, close to Church Handborough, which once bore the name Pins Wood.  Barnaby has visited this wood before, but not when the bluebells are out.
There are many paths leading to the wood, we take the one immediately to the right of the Hand and Shears pub, which stands opposite the church of St Peter and St Paul, with its tall majestic tower.

You can turn left or right on reaching the wood and simply walk around the perimeter or take one of the many paths through the middle - as there are bluebells in every corner of the wood at the moment, it really doesn't matter which way you walk as long as you allow time to  absorb the beauty of this fragile scene which is over all too soon.

The pub is special too.  It is one I visit often as the choice of beer is always good, the food freshly cooked and particularly tasty and the service efficient and friendly.

Barnaby enjoys his nice bowl of tea

The lovely Eileen, who looks after the bar, knows that Barnaby will want a cup of tea when he calls and so begins preparing it the moment she sees my Mini draw up in the car park opposite. That's what I call service and something rather special in this busy world where so many places we visit are too busy to really care about our needs and certainly not the needs of a dog.

Because The Hand and Shears is in the middle of the Oxfordshire countryside and several miles from Witney or Oxford, they offer take away fish and chips which the locals really appreciate.  So do I actually, for although it means driving for a couple of miles from my home in Eynsham to pick up an order, the fish is so delicious it really is worth the effort.

A Burford river walkies

A Burford River Walkies and a Nice Bowl of Tea

Barnaby says:

"Well Helen did promise me a special day out once it got warm and the sun came out, and true to her word she organised it yesterday (May 7 2013).  After bundling me into the Mini with Auntie Liz, she drove to Burford, a lovely historic Cotswold town which you reach by travelling the A40. Her father Jim Richards lived here when he was a boy as grandfather Richards ran the blacksmith shop at the bottom of the hill. He had a dog called Silvo who he walked through the Burford fields, Helen says she rather likes the thought of us walking in Silvo's footsteps.

Having parked at the free public car park we all trotted round to Witney Street, and The Angel Inn, which is a glorious little 17th century pub with a secluded garden at the rear.

The Angel Inn, Witney Street, Burford

Helen's fish and chips

It was here that we met the kindly licensee Terence King and his partner Gemma Finch who served us a superb lunch (Helen and fish and chips as usual) and I had a nice cup of tea which they served in my food bowl, having tossed a few ice cubes in too to cool it down a little. It was really refreshing.

After lunch we turned right out of the main door and trotted down Witney Street for about a quarter of a mile until we came to a little stile with a special dog entrance on the left. Here we encountered the most glorious field, well several fields actually, and a meandering river that gently wound its way through the landscape.

 Oh what fun we all had - how beautiful it all was.  Helen told me that if we had followed the river all the way past Witney and on towards Newbridge then we would get to the point where it joined the River Thames.  Apparently we might do that walk one day, but not until I am older and my bones are nice and strong."

Barnaby's moment of glory

Rory & his lovely assistant ask Barnaby to pose

Barnaby's moment of glory

 

They  say that every dog has his day, and I reckon that Barnaby the Puppy has already had one or two - BUT his really important debut takes place this weekend when his photograph will go on display in an Oxfordshire Artweeks exhibition by the award winning photographer Rory Carnegie.

Rory contacted Barnaby earlier this year when he was just a fluff-ball puppy and asked him if he could come to his Parktown studio and pose for him.

Barnaby had no idea what a photo shoot was all about, but agreed to pose anyway. 
Rory was amazing and so patient, but nevertheless it took more than two hours to get the shots he wanted because Barnaby kept moving just at the moment when we thought that he had got it sorted. 

However the finished pictures are breathtaking. Both Barnaby and I are thrilled with the results of Rory's patient labour. 

The exhibition, which includes some really splendid photographs, takes place from 9th to 12th May from 12am to 6pm at Rory's studio, 45 Park Town, Oxford OX26Sl.   
Sorry I can't display the photos on this page - you will have to visit the exhibiton to check them out.

Another Nice Cup of Tea

Another Nice Cup of Tea

Barnaby says:

Helen was invited to get into the spirit of summer by attending the grand opening of the Aspall Cyder Garden at The Fishes pub, North Hinksey, Oxford, yesterday.  She said yes, as long as she could bring Barnaby".  Sarah, the lovely woman who had invited on behalf of Peach Pubs laughed and said that anyone inviting Helen to an event these days automatically assumed that Barnaby comes too. So I went as well. Apparently Peach pubs, who run the Fishes have invited Helen to lots of their special events, and always permit her to bring a canine friend. I have already visited the Fleece at Witney, which is one of their pubs.

In the Water Meadows

First we walked the lovely water meadows that stand besides The Fishes. They are full of bright yellow dandelions at the moment and look particularly lush and beautiful.  Having walked the meadows we then  entered the Aspall Cyder Garden through the back gate, having walked a full circle through the meadows.
Helen drank a lovely long chilled glass of Aspall's Premier Cru, Suffolk Cyder once we were inside, which she described  as the perfect drink after a dog walk.  Me?  Oh, Helen requested a nice  cup of tea for me and remembering  how much I had enjoyed my bowl of tea at the Fleece Pub, Witney, the lovely Sarah brought me one.  On noticing steam coming out of the bowl as she placed it before me she threw a few ice cubes in to cool it down - am I not the lucky one?

Drinking my nice cup of tea

Helen ate something from the Barbecue, (I just watched because I had already had my lunch) and together we chatted to friends and listened to the music performed by three acoustic bands.

Thanks to the impressive hospitality supplied by The Fishes staff, the sunshine that suddenly poured into the garden also my nice cup of tea, Helen's glass of cyder and the music, we really did have a  wonderful time.  Am I not a lucky dog?

Barnaby's Rose

Barnaby's Rose

Well  I was going to move that standard rose from its pot this year anyway, so as Barnaby had provided me with a deep hole in the middle of the lawn large enough to hold at least one rose, perhaps two, it seemed a good idea to replant it. What's the point in having a large hole doing nothing, far better to utilise it, even if it is not the ideal place for a rose.

Barnaby admiring his rose

One problem however, I had lost the tag telling me its name, and as the leaves are only just coming out I have no idea what this particular rose is called - so as this was Barnaby's first important gardening job, I have called it Barnaby's Rose.  I think he rather likes that and may well enjoy watching it come into bloom.

One glove is not enough

One Glove is Not Enough!

I knew something was wrong the moment I opened the front door and found Barnaby cowering in the corner. But what was it?  The main room looked undisturbed, there was no big hole in the lawn and nothing in the kitchen seemed to have been touched. Even the cat's dishes contained left overs. 
Yet Barnaby continued to cower and give me that look he is capable of when he is trying to pretend nothing untoward has happened, when in fact a great deal has, so I went upstairs.

The black thing in the middle is my glove!

The bed in the office was fine, well almost fine, the rug that covers it was slightly disturbed but nothing else seemed to have been moved.  So into the main room, MY room and there amid a mass of bedding, pillows that had been rearranged was one of my best gloves, the ones I use on a very cold day to keep my fingers moving.

Barnaby had followed me upstairs, but cautiously and watched from afar.  Actually I wanted to laugh, as this glove is one of many things (including lots of bones)  that Barnaby has buried in the bed since he came to live at the cottage. Are they a gift for me or does he just consider it a warm place. Why my bed and not the garden?  Perhaps it's because I have shouted at him for digging up the garden, and so far never got very cross about finding strange things in the bed.  Anyway, better to discover the glove in my bed than find it chewed and destroyed as my glasses were.

Together we returned downstairs, I replaced the glove on the radiator where it joined its partner, Barnaby relaxed and we both had a nice cup of tea.

Whoops!

Whoops!

Barnaby says: "How  on earth was I to know that if I shook the pillow too violently when making the bed, that all this orange foam stuff would come out and scatter itself all over the room!
"Helen was furious.  She always  seems 

furious these days, but this pillow thing made her particularly cross, something to do with the mess I think.
"I did try to clean it  up for her, but that simply made the situation worse, so I curled up and went to sleep instead. "

Digging for Australia

Digging for Australia

I have now come to recognise that strange sort of silence that permeates my surroundings when Barnaby is enjoying one of his destructive moments.- though actually today's efforts could be called constructive as the hole he dug in the middle in the lawn  is certainly large enough and deep enough to plant a rose bush.
I think I might  buy a rose bush actually if I can find one that has a suitable name. It will act as a constant reminder that this dog of mine appears hell bent on giving both garden and cottage a make over..

Barnaby's effort at getting to Australia

Mud, mud, glorious mud

Another muddy walkies

Muddy path - one of many

Barnaby says: "We had decided to walk the path that leads to the river which was really a very silly thing to do becaue there was mud everywhere.  All the creatures we met along the way seemed fed up with the muddy conditions, particuarly the sheep (in the background of this picture) who are grazing some very soggy grass.  Nothing much happened on this walk, Helen got mad because her boots were covered with mud and so did auntie Liz.  Me?  Oh I just luxurated in the muddy conditions because I am a Border collie and can cope with such things - besides I am confident that the earth will become dry soon. It just has to doesn't it."

Barnaby enjoying the view,

Barnaby & Mr Fox

Barnaby and Mr Fox

Barnaby says: "I say it was Helen's fault. She shouldn't have continued walking round the field, without checking to see where I was. If a puppy is ignored he has to make my own fun. And how was I to know that something like that glorious muck that Mr Fox leaves behind is offensive to humans?

Barnaby drawn by the lovely artist Sue Mynall

When I encountered it in that tuft of grass, all moist and brown and highly perfumed, I found it a simply deligtful smell.  I liked the colour too.
I wanted Helen to take a photo of me covered in Fox for this page, but she refused so I am using this little sketch that my friend the lovely artist Sue Mynall did for me when we first met. Sue has illustrated all the books that Helen and Pythius wrote together and now she is drawing me. I am now bigger than the picture suggests and not quite so fluffy, but it is definately a picture of me."

Barnaby goes on a Bender

Barnaby goes on a BENDER

"What a fuss over eating a little something on the side"

Just making things comfy

Barnaby admits Monday wasn't his best day. He says: "I think I'd better put it down to the cold weather - that chill wind that blew rain into our faces with such ferocity  and the icy cold grass on which we walked.  It's all right for Helen, she wears big walking boots whereas I don't have anything to protect my poor little pads from getting cold. Be assured yesterday was COLD!

When I was sent up to bed in disgrace because I had chewed up my yellow feed-bowl I did a big wobbly and decided to make the bed comfy  by rearranging the blankets - got into trouble for that too. Not sure why because I didn't tear anything, not like last week when I had a little taste of the old leather chair that Helen seems to love so much. She calls it an antique because  it is more than 50 years old.  She has sprayed it with Grannick's Bitter Apple spray stuff so I don't eat it now!"