Our First Walk. DEVON

Gimme the fields...yessssssssssss
Jake cannot resist anything that looks remotely like a good high stretch of grass, he hurtles into it with abandon. Being the smaller of the two dogs he sometimes has the advantage on Caesar because he can see where Mr Fox has been.! Not just smell him, (and Jake is an amazing tracker) He can often see the tunnels through extremely long grass caused by the Fox on its own deadly hunt during the night.

I can let Jake run a good 20 feet on his Flexi lead but the problem has not been his run, it has been Ticks. Oh euwwww they have been a pain this year. Were we are currently is along the River Avon. The fields here haven't been cut for a long time, once a year at most, they are thick with Ticks amongst other things. Slow Worms, Grass Snakes, and huge spiders but the Ticks have been the main issue. Poor Jake had one of the vile little pests on his eyelid. OUCH ,

So the public right of way marked as being from Loddiswell Station to Topsham Bridge. Through the Kahdr Estate  in parts. We walked through the countryside part of the walk. Where various write ups say 'quiet country lanes' I always want to shout at the author...have you ever walked down a country lane? tractors, harvesters, drivers in four by fours who bowl along at speeds that are not exactly slow...and unexpected bicyclists ...yes the roads 'can' be quiet, but why walk a road when the main path...is through a quiet and beautiful countryside?

Following the old railway line. Is muddy in places, not too bad as long as your good on your feet and wearing wellies. As much for yourself and protecting your ankles and calves from the Ticks as for keeping your feet from being wet. Jakes body had a thorough search when we got back because he really doesn't do well if bitten by anything, it can trigger his epilepsy off.

Caesar had a different experience due to his very thin skin and fur he had to have sunblock rubbed along his back, the sun was fierce and  he goes 'Barbie Pink' very quickly. He had several ticks trying to burrow under his tender flesh around his chest and under his belly in the groin and on his tail! They took ages to remove.
Staying out of the longer grass he wanted a dip in the river...not really a good idea, its very fast flowing at the moment , very clean as you would expect River Avon feeds into the water supply for humans. Seeing it filled with the red  mud from the hills after a rainfall is really a wow moment and it can flood this little path but today, it was a good fast flowing crystal clear water.

Denied a swim, Caesar contented himself with attempting to eat huge snails and chasing a snake but I stopped him doing both. The look your seeing in his image...is because he saw the wild Deer. Currently there are two young deer wandering around. how much longer for is a mute question with hunters and so on, but for now these gorgeous animals are roaming freely through the land and Caesar would have 'loved' to chase them. That focussed vision was right there.

A pleasant walk if a little overgrown in places, brambles spoil the edges of the Public Right of Way, there are numerous abandoned machinery along the path on the privately owned land and accessing the fields is prohibited (and tick ridden) as it is private property. The path over the old railway bridge is very overgrown, nettles and brambles, so a good coat for the human and a stout walking stick to hack them down so the dogs avoid sore eyes or scratched skin is probably a good idea.

Sadly the advertising blurb doesn't match the reality. Agricultural  and Industrial archeology comprises of rusty overgrown machinery and a few broken walls, but for the true enthusiast you can figure it out. Barbistelle,Pipistrelle, Daubenton and Long Eared bats swoop around the area. Several Owls make their presence known. A late evening walk can be restful, peaceful and very fulfilling for human and dogs.
The wildlife is proliferate, dragon flies, Buzzards, and all sorts in between, Palmate and Crested Newts rub shoulders with frogs like this cute fellow . Amazing collection of wild flowers, probably the most varieties I have ever seen 'all in one place', not so happy to see Japanese Knotweed and

Himalayan Balsam which no doubt will strangle a lot of the hedgerows. But in general...a great walk to investigate.
Fantastic walk for wearing the dogs out, and me...but not a well kept walk, it has its issues.

ADVICE

Walking Stick
Strong Wellies or waterproof boots (very muddy)
Good strong thorn proof clothing
Water for the dogs if your out a while, drinking from the river isn't achievable safely.

You can access fuller information from this link but the picture they have used is 'to' the walk not the walk itself.
http://walks.walkingworld.com/Walk/Loddiswell-Station---Topsham-Bridge---Woolston-Farm-Circuit.aspx

Caesar and Jake and The Last Great Adventure

           

Caesar

Jake

These are my boys Caesar is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 3 years old with various scars and marks from his past before I got him. Jake is a Jack Russel who is nearly ten, has epilepsy, and suffers blindness in his left eye due to a slipped scalpel when he had a caesarian birth. Both dogs are rescue, that is they came into my life having had previous owners and I can honestly say they are my babies, my boys.

Jake is fascinated by the land, he loves nothing more than hurtling through the woodlands and especially if holes are involved which is why, you will see him in that terrain with his collar and lead on. He is too old to go rabbiting and ratting, the natural behaviour of all Terriers, he is a naughty boy, wilful and determined and he runs off. I have spent many an hour feeling hopelessly upset because he has done a runner, sitting dispirited because I couldn't find him, only to have him turn up, with that cheeky little face (I swear grinning) and wanting his cuddle. he is a great big softy and loves his luxuries, extra pillows, a snuggle under MY duvet...all is there for his comfort..but he wants mine the little devil.

Run through the mud, rolled in the fox doo dah and now...just what is THAT ? can you eat it?

The boys work together, occasionally they fight together but its normally handbags and snarls time. It 'looks ' horrific but anyone with more than one dog will tell you its a common problem. Jake really believes he should be top dog, Caesar is equally convinced he is top dog by right of coming to my pack first.

Caesar is a darling, spoiled rotten and ready for a hug, a cuddle and if he can climb on your knee he will . He is very particular about who he is affectionate with, the list comprises of............anyone who will give him attention. He is an outrageous flirt. For Caesar it is the sea and the call of the water which will rule his preferences. He loves the sea in every manner available, to splash in, run through, dive under, fetch sticks, snuffle fish, he is a real water baby.

        He constantly amazes me with his desire to be part of a group but if he gets anywhere near another dog he is a very different boy. His desire to be top dog means he also wishes to dominate other dogs, so that's what he does. The minute a dog agrees he is the boss all is calm, he wants to play, so he has a lot of learning to do as yet. Socialising for him is not possible with his current behaviour, he isn't vicious but he is unlearned, unable to comply with a nice walk and a gentle stroll, he wants to run, to rough house, to play.
One day, I am hopeful we will find a way for that enthusiasm to finally be harnessed in an acceptable way for him and for other dogs.


So these are my two boys and they have this blog because they are going on an adventure with me. We are going to travel around Britain, gathering research and data and they are going to investigate Great Walks , ones that tire a four legged friend out with happy moments. That should be enough work and pleasure for them.
We hope you come back and visit us, the boys like to investigate and will love sharing their adventures with you.  

coming to your area most probably...and soon, the boys !