Dog sitting in Meadle

 Friday 17/06/22

Walkies in the morning sunshine

We're on a three week sit in Meadle, near Princes Risborough and are staying on a huge property in a 17th century farmhouse.  Low beams and creaky floorboards abound in this house, but we are having a lovely time in absolute luxury.

Bella in the foreground with Beau at the back

Beau, an elderly Basset Griffon Vendeen and Bella, An Irish Setter puppy are adorable and fairly easy to look after.  That is, if you are prepared to lose the odd sock, shoe, towel, spectacles and anything else you may leave within reach of Bella.  If you don't want to lose anything, you need to keep your wits about you as she sneaks away your possessions like a phantom.  Luckily we were warned so have been vigilant, and have managed to recover all lifted possessions before they were chewed.

Bella misses we when I go out - even if it is just to put the bins out.

Bella found this fossilised rabbit somewhere and was a bit put out that 
I wouldn't let her keep it...

We've been lucky having Charmaine drop in a few times (she lives about 30mins away from this sit), as well as Ettienne and Debbi who popped in for coffee, which was lovely.  We're enjoying the daily routine of walking the dogs and chilling, working on Bokkie (A) and cooking / baking (T) while we do our final preparations for our Portugal trip.

Bella turned 1 on Wednesday and Charmaine has a birthday today

It's Charmaine's birthday today so it's been fabulous that she is spending the day with us - Bobotie for supper, and birthday cake!

Jubilee weekend in Stanton Prior

 Thursday 02/06/22

Our contribution to Jubilee decorations, a stunning poppy in the garden meadow.

It's a bonus holiday today in the UK and bunting and flags are appearing everywhere to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.  We're fortunate as Charmaine has managed to get some leave and is spending a few days with us, which is lovely.

The village of Stanton Prior, our barn visible on the left of the village

Stunning rural Somerset in every direction.

Toni and Charmaine popped into Bath for a visit today, nice and quiet to start off with but started getting really busy mid-morning.  It is a beautiful and historic town though, well worth seeing.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the tranquillity of this sit; our choice of places to sit has been paying off with lovely locations in the UK so far.  

Rule 1 of the English summer - if the sun shines, lie in it!

Cosmo has two modes of walkies - Nose down, tail up pulling on the lead or
sullen teenager, lip-on-the-ground, snail's pace when he doesn't want to go home.

We were initially nervous about sitting a Dalmatian as they can be quite highly strung but we needn't have worried.  Cosmo has crawled under our skins with his fantastic personality, strong will and loving nature.  Once again, we'll miss him when we leave, although we'll carry around reminders for some time - he sheds incredibly so we'll never get rid of all the tiny black and white hairs!

On Saturday we head out for a few days in a campsite before our next sit, a 17'th century farmhouse near Princes Risborough which we hope will be along similar lines.

Bonus pic:-

They grow the cows tall in Somerset!