First Drive Fluffyless

The panic is starting to set in as I realise it's less than 24 hours before I take Dickie out on my own - well I have a friend with me but he is a Dickie novice. Yes Mr Fluffy has agreed that I can take the van down to Heligan to see the Michael Morgpurgo play, 946,for a night without him. 
I'm not a complete novice. I drove all the way to Hay On Wye recently and was fabulous until I had a virtual panic attack whilst driving across the Severn Bridge on the way back. The Fluffster's cries of 'Don't be daft woman!' and 'You're being ridiculous!' did NOT help at all. The steering wheel has only just recovered from the excessive sweat and tight grip that I subjected it to as I drove across the terrifying bridge. I can only imagine what I would be like if I had to be behind the wheel when crossing that hideous bridge on the outskirts of Honfleur.
Anyway there should be no horrendous bridge action on the way to Heligan tomorrow, only skinny roads and awful traffic. There will be reports of how I get on. Eeeeek.

Travels on Footie Not Dickie

After six months driving around in Dickie Graham felt the urge for a change of pace so he chose to undertake long walk. After a bit of research he decided to trot across the Two Moors Way - a mere 120 mile stroll. He roped in good friend Anthony to accompany him on the walk, and weirdly enough, they both seem to have enjoyed it. Or could it be that they enjoyed the break from us women for 8 days? 

It took them just over a week to complete their pootle from Wembury near Plymouth to the town of Lynmouth (famous for its flood which was very similar to Boscastle's) across Dartmoor and Exmoor. 

Graham has a Garmin record of their adventure including photos which can be seen by clicking on this link  Graham and Anthony's Lovely Adventure .

Oh Hay! On Wye

The carpark looked large and strangely inviting. We'd heard of this strange and wonderful place that allows motorhomers to park overnight and even sleep in their vans but we didn't really think it could be true! But yes it is true and how very forward thinking of the Hay on Wye council to allow people to stay and make the most of the local shops and restaurants.

And what a charming town it is with a good pub - The Blue Boar I think - a very good tapas restaurant and lots of interesting shops relating to books, clothes and antiques. I made the most of the shopping while Mr Fluffy took poor Hugo off for a 13 mile walk along Offers Dyke then the Wye Way. Hugo passed out on his return but was keen to go off on another ramble the next morning.

Mr F regaled me with tales of how lovely the walk had been, especially the standing stones he'd come across, but neglected to take any photos at all so the best I can do is Dickie in the carpark.

Thrilling 'Spot the Dickie' shot

On the way up we stayed at the Wells Holiday Park which is a lovely site within walking distance of town. We always stay here when we visit Graham's mum Betty. Hugo was not impressed when he met the cathedral cat outside the ASK restaurant. The ginger tom took great pleasure in sitting just out of Hugo's reach while playing the cello with a superior expression on its face.

Betty and Graham doing pizza at ASK

Mr Fluffy has now set off on a 100 mile walk across Dartmoor and Exmoor starting from Wembury and ending up at Lynmouth. I'm hoping he'll at least have a few pics from this trip - Dickieless though it will be.

Missing Dickie already - Wembury starting point

The Call of Dickie

Sun setting over Western Blackapits

Boscastle is spectacular at all times of the year but especially in summer when the sun shines and the tiny orchids peep out on the cliffs overlooking the harbour. Graham has been out for a few trips on the kayak and we're off fishing this afternoon. Hugo is loving the local cow poo (that's for Simon and Deborah) but has been attacked once by a small terrier which made him a little scared of dogs for a few days. Happily he has now recovered his composure and is back to jumping all over German Shepherds and barking at the postman.

Common or Roman Orchid - not sure which

Pyramid Orchid

Despite the loveliness of Boscastle the pull of Dickie is ever present. We're heading to Shropshire for a few days and Graham will be navigating as I need to get some driving practice in before a week away in July. This could get terrifying for Graham but I shall endeavour to keep all of us on the road.

Boscastle Bound

Weather in Deal slightly less fabulous than Spain and Portugal

Suzi and Scottie from The Dining Club

Hugo's shivering and 'freaked out' expression showed that he was not a massive fan of the Eurotunnel but once we arrived in Deal, a short drive from Folkestone, all was well. His new pal, Welly the Westie, graciously welcomed him into his house (thankfully) and they enjoyed many sniffs, I mean walks, along the seafront. It's exceptionally wonderful to have friends who are not only great fun people but also the owners/chef of Deal's 'number one on Tripadvisor' restaurant, The Dining Club. Loving a bit of fine dining at the end of a six month stint on the continent.

Welly hogging the camera

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If ever there was a bleak, windswept yet atmospheric place to wildcamp it's Dungeness. Graham has been keen to stay here ever since we visited last year on our way to Scandinavia so we headed over after Deal and parked up. The signs instructing people what to do in case of a nuclear disaster were a little offputting (there is a large nuclear plant there), especially when I woke up in the morning to the sound of an alarm which,I was pleased to discover, was a fog horn alerting ships to the fact that you could not see your hand in front of your face. Despite the fog and threat of nuclear fallout it's a great place to stay - we asked the local policemen who drove past every half hour if it was ok to stay and they said it was no problem - good fish and chips at The Britannia Inn as well.

Derek Jarman's house at Dungeness

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That is not a fat stomach - I have something in my pocket

just because he looks cute

I say this is a big one!

'They're weird looking dogs'

Minster woods

Sanding is pants

It was not much of a struggle to leave the fog and rain of Dungeness in the morning and we headed to one of our favorite places, Avebury (via Tichborne) to meet up with our friends Anthony and Donna who are heading to Scotland in their Hymer Helga. Hugo and his new friend Louie enjoyed sniffing the stones and meeting sheep.

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Now we're back in Boscastle which is no hardship as it's such a beautiful place. As soon as we returned the sun came out (obviously happy to see us). Hugo is loving the walks in the woods although he has been attacked (nothing serious) by a couple of nasty dogs which is making him a little nervous. The most exciting thing I'm doing at the moment is preparing a table for painting while Mr Fluffy goes off in his kayak - hmmm.

Canals, Tunnels and Champagne - ish Elegance

canal side wildflowers

atop a Napoleonic canal at Riqueval

Our final few days in France have been spent pootling along the champagne route, strolling along canals, and stumbling on Australian War Memorials. We’ve seen stunning wild flower fields, elegant chateaux, and massive canal boats full of tourists toasting us with champagne. 

maybe we could swap Dickie for this mansion in Champagne

One aire happened to be located atop a canal tunnel built by Napolean’s army in the early 19^th century which was used by the Germans in the First World War along the Hindenburg Line. This is where we found the Australian Memorial for the Fourth Battalion which lost around 10,500 men and left thousands more injured. As we drove around this area it was a poignant site to see the many war graves for so many different nations.

Memorial to Australian 4th Battalion on the Hindenburg Line

The boys enjoy some hot grape action in Mutigny

It’s a little bit sad to be going home after nine and a half thousand miles and 6 months on the road but there are worse places to go than Cornwall and we’re quite looking forward to redecorating, house hunting, and kayaking. And anyway, we’re seeing friends in Deal and Marlborough along the way so the fun is not over yet.

Hugo Has A Say

I think my ears look cute in this

The gray one tries to steal my stick

Well it's about time. The humans have allowed me my own little piece of blog space and I have some great photos of myself to show you.
Since I joined this pair in October last year I've had a smashing time in a move-able house that lets me out at a different sniffing place each time it stops. We've been to 3 different countries and I'm not even two yet.

I'm hoping Hymer will use me in an ad

I was unlucky enough to pick up a flea this week and 'the woman' freaked out, scraping my body with a funny little comb and throwing all our bedding in a very hot wash. She then had the temerity to stick some weird drops on my neck and I can't even reach around to lick it off. Anyway the flea is all gone and I'm trying my hardest to get another one from the grass around these canals.

I smell a rat

Disgruntled in faux Burberry

Rehearsing for 'Oliver'.

'Get behind me Satan!'

Here are some photos I'm considering for my modelling book. They don't know it yet but I'm hoping for a career in TV. Bye for now - maybe they'll let me have a go at this again some time.

Looking windswept