18,19, 20 June 2011

After we left Fishers Mill Bridge we went back to Fazely Junction where mum and dad put more water in the tank and got rid of all the rubbish. It had taken me a couple of days but once I understood the routine I just stayed calm and enjoyed lying on the deck watching out of the doors. I didn't need to be tied up all the time or have the doors closed. We stopped near Hademore Farm Bridge for the night but there were other boats and other dogs so I couldn't just play out on the towpath by myself.

Sunday was a beautiful sunny morning but very windy and we set off for Fradley Junction where we moored up for lunch. In the afternoon we went up the locks again and I had to be tied up because I couldn't work out what dad was doing or where he was some of the time. It was also quite busy and mum had to stand and hold the boat for ages at Woodend Lock. This made her complain that her leg was hurting. The culvert at the ground paddle was blocked so the lock filled up extremely slowly. We moored in a quiet place above the lock and I really liked it there. I ran and ran and ran but mum and dad decided there were too many flies so we set off back to the marina. We travelled with the hood up but mum said it was very stressful avoiding the trees and going so slowly to get under the bridge safely.

We woke up in the marina on Monday morning. Mum and dad were really busy using a hoover and mopping the floors and cleaning everywhere. I was bored but I was very good and didn't run off around the marina by myself. After lunch we packed up the car and set off back to Lancashire.

Mum said that she had really enjoyed herself but was very tired. She was so pleased to have managed to do the trip but said that she wasn't ready yet to plan a big adventure.

17 June 2011

Dad and me on the towpath near Curdworth Bottom Lock

You can just see the lock in the distance

If you look carefully you can just see dad's red jacket as he and Toby and me walk towards Fishers Mill Bridge.

It was a cold grey day when we left Whittington. I couldn't settle down so mum and dad closed the doors on the deck so that I wouldn't push anyone overboard. When we got to the firing range before Hopwas mum took me and Toby for a walk on the path. This was good. I ran so fast and so far away that mum thought I would get lost but when they were all out of sight I turned round and ran back. It was so good to stretch my legs.

Later we stopped near Tamworth Retail Park and dad went to Sainsbury's. Then we set off again and had a lovely afternoon sailing up towards Curdworth Bottom Lock. Mum turned the boat just before the boat and dad and Toby and I walked back towards Fishers Mill Bridge where we moored up for the rest of the day. Just as they finished putting up the hood the rain started but I didn't mind. I just loved playing about in the bushes and exploring. Everytime anyone came past I jumped back on board and mum said I was really good dog. I really liked being moored here.

16 June 2011

My people unloaded the car and put everything away inside the boat. Toby and I were so excited and I was a bit naughty running around the marina. We set off and went down three locks. I didn't remember anything about locks and I was so excited when we stopped at the first one that they got really cross with me and I had to be tied up for ages.

It rained a bit but eventually we stopped at a place called Whittington. While mum and dad were tying up the boat Toby and I took some toys onto the towpath and played pulling and growling. I didn't know that if I stepped backwards I would fall into the canal! Dad pulled me out over the piling and I'll be more careful in future.

Mum and dad wanted a cup of tea so they put the kettle on the stove but then the gas ran out. When they looked in the gas locker to change the bottle they found dead fish, a nest made of chewed up carrier bags and loads of pooey stuff like green earthworms. Someone had been living there. Toby and I were really interested and spent ages sniffing but the animal wasn't there. Mum thinks it might have been a water vole although she didn't think they ate fish.

We had a lovely evening and I really liked it being on the towpath again. It took me most of the day to calm down and stop being so excited and jumpy. At bedtime Toby went to sleep on the settee and I settled down next to mum and dad's bed for the night.

Boating Dogs Update Two 16-20 June 2011

When we got back on board the boat it all looked very different and the pipes were dry at last. The bookcase had been moved and there was a folding table on the wall. The pictures show Dad sitting on his new chair with the bookcase now on the left and what it looked like before. There seems to be more room now and they have put a special rug on the floor for me to lie on.

Boating Dogs Update One 5-7 June 2011

We had a nice little trip out to Handsacre turning point and then moored on the towpath for one night to see how mum could manage. I really liked being moored on the towpath. Toby and I ran up and down and I liked being able to jump off and on the boat when I wanted.

Before we left the marina my people found that the water pipe was leaking again and they weren't very pleased. Mum found a nice man called Richard who said he could fix it properly and that he could move the bookcase and make a folding table.