A Bit of a Rant.

I have mentioned before (in May 2017) my disappointment & annoyance at the 'dog-friendly cafe' on the National Trust's Lanhydrock Estate in Cornwall, when I found that if you have a dog, you can't enter the cafe; you can only eat at the outside tables on the verandah.  But if you aren't allowed inside, how do you buy food or drink?

Then recently I visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan, where dogs are welcome.  I made my way to the outside tables of the Tearoom - and once again found that I couldn't take my dog inside to get lunch or a drink.
Tying him up or even leaving him with someone willing to look after him would have resulted in blind panic from my little rescue dog who has Separation Anxiety - and frantic yapping and howling once I was out of sight.
Heligan is not a National Trust property, so I have now written to both places and asked if there are any solutions to this problem, pointing out that the UK has thousands of people who live alone with a dog as a companion.  Their strict rules prevent us from enjoying their wonderful estates and gardens.

Incidentally, I also used the lovely little National Trust cafe above Bedruthan Steps, where I was welcomed in to buy my breakfast bacon roll and pot of tea, then after walking the coastal path, returned and enjoyed a Cornish Cream Tea with my little dog alongside, both at the counter and at the tables, inside or out.
If only we could be sure of a welcome in all similar properties.

Spitchwick Manor reunion September 2018

Now that the hedge has gone, Benji loves to watch what's going on in the world outside so has commandeered the padded stool.

But occasionally he needs to snooze . . 

On Sunday we had a day out, the occasion being the Annual Get-together for the Red Setter Rescue and Re-homing Charity.

My friends two dogs came from Ireland via this charity, so we go every year to support them.  Spitchwick Manor is the setting, with its 6 acres of grounds and wonderful views over to Dartmoor.  

Looking into the secret garden, where there's Lady Ashburton's Plunge Pool, a tad cool even on a sunny day as it's fed by a natural spring.

 

But the day was all about the Red Setters and their friends, so most of them set off to walk on Dartmoor and admire the various Tors that they passed on their 4-mile hike.  Others chose the shorter route, about 2 miles on fairly flat ground - and others, like us, chose to wander the grounds and admire the views all around, which also meant our 3 dogs could be off-lead to explore. We also had a refreshing cup of coffee back at the car, parked under the beech trees in dappled sunlight. 

Gradually, the walkers drifted back and we headed back to the house where we enjoyed a scrumptious English Tea in the Rose Garden - plates of assorted sandwiches, very tasty sausage rolls, more plates of scones with jam and cream and even more plates of home-made cakes, enormous slices!!! And of course, lashings of tea.

Afterwards we all waited for the command - "DOGS OFF LEADS!!!"

I thought Benji would be overwhelmed by all those BIG dogs, but he joined in with the excitement. Until he spotted me . . "Mummeeeeee!!"

Unfortunately, my attempts to capture the sight of dozens of racing Red Setters turned out to be blurred streaks of shiny auburn fur as they flew past.

So here are 2 handsome beauties standing still.

An Irish Setter and a Gordon Setter.

After the chase, a cooling dip in the Rose Garden fountain.

What a lovely day it was, a long day for us but the sun shone and our dogs enjoyed meeting so many old and new friends. 

Here's to next year.