Carbón's Big Adventure (aka Labratour Part IV)

Now that you're en route to the land of Beanwood, would you be interested in a pack walk while you're here? I know a nice little lake in the Forest of Dean with a dedicated doggy swimming area. Holly and i have spent many happy hours there playing swimmy-fetch.

 

Today, by and large, went better. The boys were surprisingly quiet in our hotel room, or I was too tired to notice if they barked. I got them up early, fed and packed up, then we hit the beach. It was nearly empty so let Carbon off leash a bit. He's so funny - it's like he wants to go into the water but is afraid of it at the same time. He'll wade in a few inches, then instant zoomies. Paul is actually more comfortable tromping around in water...go figure! I really think that Carbon is convinced that he is a galgo. I'm hoping that when he meets the Beanwood crew he'll feel like he's met his long-lost tribe and will finally join the fold. Maybe he just needs a Lambie?

So here he is this morning doing his thing. Paul is hiding between my legs to try to avoid the onslaught. Usually that means we both get whacked by 28 kg of projectile Labrador.



Then we had a supremely uneventful four hour drive to Hossegor in France. Say what you will about Paul and his supremely frustrating toilet habits, he is becoming a real ace in the car. He barely even chats anymore, just settles right into his little crate for the duration. And Carbon, what a cutie. He likes to snooze with his head on his pillow mainly, but today he rested his head on the centre console between the two front seats. Mouth open, snoring...that is one happy traveling dog.

We got to the hotel in Hossegor about 3:30pm. What a nice place! The people were so friendly and everything is new and spotless. And only a 10 minute walk to the beach along a leafy canal. We spent three hours out walking, letting the dogs dig on the beach, wrestling, and talking to other dog walkers. While France isn't my favourite place (yeah, all you people hating me for not liking wine will probably yell at me over that statement, too), it has a real advantage that I really am fluent and don't have any problem understanding or speaking. It just makes life easier, that's for sure.

So after the big walk, dogs fed, little rest and then out the door for a walk. The day ends on a good note, right? NO. I'm locking the door and look down at Paul (who has already had his wee in the room, mind you) having yet another wee in the hallway WHICH IS CARPETED. NO. NO. NO. NO. NOOOOOOO. No lie, I had visions of launching him into the UK using a trebuchet. But 'luckily' (ha ha) I have a hole cadre of cleaning supplies at this point, so shoved the dogs back into the room and went to work on the carpet.

I am therefore calling today 95% positive and 5% aarrrrggghgh! Which let's face it, is much better than yesterday. Well, and I'm ignoring my German tax situation for the moment as well, so that certainly helped.

Tomorrow we're headed to Angers. I'm quite intrigued because I've rented a studio apartment in a senior living complex. I guess they've not sold enough units, so some enterprising person has decided to offer the unsold units as aparthotels. I'm mainly excited because it has a kitchen and if I can just find some sort of supermarket, I can have my first hot food since last Saturday. Or at least something not made out of a potato that comes in a crinkly bag. I'm nearly giddy with excitement!

 

Once again, you've perfectly summed up the situation.

 

Yes, absolutely! No promises for Carbon as so far he doesn't swim, but I'm sure he'd enjoy WATCHING Holly swim.

 

Great. I wonder if Carbon will get carried away by the moment. Cassie didn't swim until last weekend when she followed Rourke into the water after a tennis ball!

Let us know when you expect to be in the area and I'll set something up.

 

That’s such a lovely video of Carbon, particularly after just reading your earlier description:

He looks so happy, just enjoying life!

Get some sleep while Carbon holds Paul down - and here’s hoping you find that Carrefour tomorrow!

 

Maybe so, but the difference is, he has a person to love and a person who loves him for himself, Emily. That's priceless.

 

Speechless. Almost envious because I like wine WAAAAY too much!

Glad today went better

 

Me too! White, Red, Rose, Sparkling... It doesn't matter, they're all welcome at my house

 

I'm ABC (anything but chardy)

 

We have a bottle of BLUE wine in our house! I've not been brave enough to try it yet

 

Oh Carbon's zoomies. Such joy. I am grinning from ear to ear . I love to see a dog just letting go and having fun.

Errmm that's just wrong. Wine is red or white. I don't even entertain the pink stuff (though I will gag it down if we're at the Outlaws - anything goes then, it keeps me sane)

 

Blue Nun?

https://goo.gl/images/EjF8WB

 

Red wine is the devil

 

I think red wine is wonderful. Except for its ability to cause spontaneous comas and day-long pounding headaches

 

Haha, nope! The wine itself is actually blue. It's not this one (because dessert wine, ick!), but very similar in colour:

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-...blue-wine-what-is-it-colour-gik-a7940966.html

 

Just add blue cake colouring to cheap white plonk. The hangover's the same.

 

Aw Carbon - the zoomies took me by surprise!! Too funny and sweet—loved it!!!!!

 

Life is so much better with a Hunter Valley Shiraz and Otago (NZ) Pinot noir. Maybe not at the same time though