Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
No, I'm going ferry free from here on out until the next trip to Ireland. It's Eurotunnel Shuttle all the way for the trip back - MUCH better!
The Labraventures of Carbón, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire
- Thread starter Emily_Babbelhund
- Start date
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
A Spanish gentleman dog who does not want to get up to face the wet from above.
I was worried my friend got stuck on that ferry for 38 hours with a van full of dogs in bad weather. Been holding my breath for you glad you're both ok xxx
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Welcome back to the U.K.
I’m back too and also hope the weather improves - a shock after lovely Majorcan sun!
My iPad now gives me the choice of Labraventures when I type ‘Lab’ in the three word choice thingie
I’m back too and also hope the weather improves - a shock after lovely Majorcan sun!
My iPad now gives me the choice of Labraventures when I type ‘Lab’ in the three word choice thingie
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Awwww, he loves his new bunny
- Location
- South Wales
Now there is someone who understand the prpper place for hoomans in the world.
See you soon!
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Thank you for taking all the time to write of your ferry experience, I just love reading ever word and am transported into your and Carbon's world. I guess Carbon's original owner could have absolutely no idea what an adventurous life he is now leading. I wonder if he will always have wanderlust or finally settle.......
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
I should have got some language tips from Carbon before I came on hols. I have picked up a fair bit from him already.
Glad he had a ball in Ireland x
Glad he had a ball in Ireland x
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
I'm starting to think that I'm so far behind with this traveloque business that it's time to throw up my hands and hide in a cave! Let's see if I can do a bit of catch up with my normal stream of consciousness ramblings and then hopefully Carbon will catch you up on the photos later. I guess I should hope for a rain day tomorrow so that I'll be forced to sit down and edit. 
Yesterday morning we departed a drizzly Fishguard with high hopes of doing a smidgen of sightseeing on the way to @Rosie 's and @Beanwood. Normally the drive to Rosie's is 2.5 hours with Kate being an additional 45 minutes or so. With great optimism, I plugged in a couple beaches and a couple castles along the way for my satnav and then set off. Rain was really light and there was even a glimpse of sun peaking through the mist.
Within 20 minutes we'd reached the first stop, a beach with what had looked on Google Maps like a large easy parking area. Nope. It was partially washed out with mud and the other part under water. I stuck around only long enough to lean out of the car window and take a snap, then it was a very tight turn of the tardis back in the direction we came.
What was left of the parking area:
++
From there my next stop was meant to be Pembroke Castle, but each direction I tried to go was washed out. One bridge still had trucks going over it, but the water was way too deep for my tiny car. I tried several different roads and multiple times I was stopped by oncoming traffic and told that the way was washed out ahead. While this was supremely frustrating, I was also really struck by how friendly the other drivers were. I finally stopped for a pretty long chat with a veterinarian and his adorable collie. The vet told me essentially that I needed to go way back north and then back down on the A40 to avoid the washouts.
It was about that time that I realised that unless the Tardis was suddenly going to transform into a 4x4, it was time to abandon the tourist agenda and get myself to Rosie's. She saved me by saying I could come earlier than planned and motivating me with the promise of lunch...and Pongo of course. Not Pongo FOR lunch, but you know what I mean.
Through a lot of wild driving, including backing up on single track roads to let opposing cars pass and holding my breath through some very flooded bits, I finally made it back to civilisation and the A40. After that it was home free to Rosie's...a four hour trip instead of two with all the detours.
Whew.
Frankly I was a little concerned at how Carbon would greet Pongo. Their first meeting back in June didn't go so well. Pongo was a complete gentleman but Carbon was rather snarly, whether from missing his Spanish buddy Paul who had been adopted the day before or because of the tummy ache Carbon achieved through stealing a freshly baked loaf of bread from Rosie's kitchen counter.
However I shouldn't have worried, because these two got on like a house on fire. Carbon immediately pulled out ALL of Pongo's toys and the game was afoot. Despite Carbon thinking of himself as the Spanish gentleman, it was actually Pongo who acted the true gentleman, keeping his good humour †hrough the destruction of one of his favourite toys and some rather cheeky humping on Carbon's side.
The toy graveyard...
Tug!!!!
There was even a tour of Rosie's garden and a chase session:
Also I'm sad to say that Rosie and witnessed the demise of Pongo's Christmas stuffie, Mr. Beasley. Or at least of his legs. RIP Mr. Beasley's legs.
Thankfully they eventually decided on a wrestling match instead of toy dismemberment.
I think we can safely say now that Carbon LOVES him some Pongo.
Thank you, Rosie and Pongo (and the late Mr. Beasley) for such a fun afternoon!
Yesterday morning we departed a drizzly Fishguard with high hopes of doing a smidgen of sightseeing on the way to @Rosie 's and @Beanwood. Normally the drive to Rosie's is 2.5 hours with Kate being an additional 45 minutes or so. With great optimism, I plugged in a couple beaches and a couple castles along the way for my satnav and then set off. Rain was really light and there was even a glimpse of sun peaking through the mist.
Within 20 minutes we'd reached the first stop, a beach with what had looked on Google Maps like a large easy parking area. Nope. It was partially washed out with mud and the other part under water. I stuck around only long enough to lean out of the car window and take a snap, then it was a very tight turn of the tardis back in the direction we came.
What was left of the parking area:
++From there my next stop was meant to be Pembroke Castle, but each direction I tried to go was washed out. One bridge still had trucks going over it, but the water was way too deep for my tiny car. I tried several different roads and multiple times I was stopped by oncoming traffic and told that the way was washed out ahead. While this was supremely frustrating, I was also really struck by how friendly the other drivers were. I finally stopped for a pretty long chat with a veterinarian and his adorable collie. The vet told me essentially that I needed to go way back north and then back down on the A40 to avoid the washouts.
It was about that time that I realised that unless the Tardis was suddenly going to transform into a 4x4, it was time to abandon the tourist agenda and get myself to Rosie's. She saved me by saying I could come earlier than planned and motivating me with the promise of lunch...and Pongo of course. Not Pongo FOR lunch, but you know what I mean.
Through a lot of wild driving, including backing up on single track roads to let opposing cars pass and holding my breath through some very flooded bits, I finally made it back to civilisation and the A40. After that it was home free to Rosie's...a four hour trip instead of two with all the detours.
Whew.
Frankly I was a little concerned at how Carbon would greet Pongo. Their first meeting back in June didn't go so well. Pongo was a complete gentleman but Carbon was rather snarly, whether from missing his Spanish buddy Paul who had been adopted the day before or because of the tummy ache Carbon achieved through stealing a freshly baked loaf of bread from Rosie's kitchen counter.
However I shouldn't have worried, because these two got on like a house on fire. Carbon immediately pulled out ALL of Pongo's toys and the game was afoot. Despite Carbon thinking of himself as the Spanish gentleman, it was actually Pongo who acted the true gentleman, keeping his good humour †hrough the destruction of one of his favourite toys and some rather cheeky humping on Carbon's side.
The toy graveyard...
Tug!!!!
There was even a tour of Rosie's garden and a chase session:
Also I'm sad to say that Rosie and witnessed the demise of Pongo's Christmas stuffie, Mr. Beasley. Or at least of his legs. RIP Mr. Beasley's legs.
Thankfully they eventually decided on a wrestling match instead of toy dismemberment.
I think we can safely say now that Carbon LOVES him some Pongo.
Thank you, Rosie and Pongo (and the late Mr. Beasley) for such a fun afternoon!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
We headed out of Rosie's in the late afternoon and made our way across the Bristol traffic to @Beanwood. We were both VERY happy to see Kate, @Mr Beanwood , the pups, Remy and Stoli, but Carbon was frankly out of his mind with joy at seeing Benson, Casper and Bramble again. He did NOT forget the Beanwood pack, that's for sure. Despite the mega-play he'd had with Pongo, he was ready to go at it again with the pups. Eventually baby Stoli also made an appearance and I was very proud at how nicely Carbon pretty much ignored him. Of course he blacked out yesterday's admirable display by chasing Stoli into an ironing board this morning, but at least we had one evening where peace reigned over the land.
I also had a sweet surprise waiting for us from the forum's resident collar addict, @SwampDonkey . Carbon loves his new Swampy collar and I think the colour is just perfect. Thank you, thank you!
A huge thank you as well to the whole Beanwood crew for such a warm welcome, lovely dinner and comfy bed last night.
Today Carbon and I headed down to Padstow in Cornwall where I've rented a house for a week. A thank you there to @snowbunny for recommending the agency.
It's a little bittersweet as this is the house that I'd planned on renting for two months after picking up my puppy last spring. In the end I made the very hard decision not to get the puppy, but coming to this house raises a lot of 'what ifs'. All the twists and turns of the last 10 months have come full circle and here I am not with an 8 week old puppy for a two month stay, but with Carbon for a one week stay. It's a very cosy place and it's easy to let myself think what would have happened had I made a different decision and spent those two months here with the puppy. I'm not saying I regret anything - though maybe I do a little - just that it's a lot of mixed emotions.
However onward and forward is the name of the game. Tomorrow Kate and one or two of the Beanwood pups will be joining us and I won't have time to sit on a comfy sofa and be maudlin because we'll be busy trying to protect all the breakable nicknacks as the dogs roll around on the floor. That'll keep me focused on the present!
I'm also REALLY grateful to get to stay in one place for a whole week. I'm even considering unpacking my toiletries in the bathroom. The luxury!
I also had a sweet surprise waiting for us from the forum's resident collar addict, @SwampDonkey . Carbon loves his new Swampy collar and I think the colour is just perfect.
Thank you, thank you!A huge thank you as well to the whole Beanwood crew for such a warm welcome, lovely dinner and comfy bed last night.
Today Carbon and I headed down to Padstow in Cornwall where I've rented a house for a week. A thank you there to @snowbunny for recommending the agency.
It's a little bittersweet as this is the house that I'd planned on renting for two months after picking up my puppy last spring. In the end I made the very hard decision not to get the puppy, but coming to this house raises a lot of 'what ifs'. All the twists and turns of the last 10 months have come full circle and here I am not with an 8 week old puppy for a two month stay, but with Carbon for a one week stay. It's a very cosy place and it's easy to let myself think what would have happened had I made a different decision and spent those two months here with the puppy. I'm not saying I regret anything - though maybe I do a little - just that it's a lot of mixed emotions.
However onward and forward is the name of the game. Tomorrow Kate and one or two of the Beanwood pups will be joining us and I won't have time to sit on a comfy sofa and be maudlin because we'll be busy trying to protect all the breakable nicknacks as the dogs roll around on the floor. That'll keep me focused on the present!
I'm also REALLY grateful to get to stay in one place for a whole week. I'm even considering unpacking my toiletries in the bathroom. The luxury!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Carbon says, "Donde estas? Un lugar sin agua del cielo?" Where are you? A place without wet from above?
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
You know I think a lot about that too. I'm assuming that since they took him to a killing station, they think he was put to sleep so don't think about him at all. But if for whatever reason they did, I'm sure they would be quite surprised at his adventures.
Which reminds me, I'm keeping track of his kilometers. As of today, he hit 14.000km traveled. Not bad for a Spanish gentleman dog, si?
- Location
- South Manchester England
Thank you, that’s all I can say. Love this whole journey, and as others have said you write so very well x
Beanwood
Administrator
It was wonderful to see @Emily_Babbelhund and Carbon. Within a few minutes, it was like he had never left...new toys to play with (Carbon was quite taken with Benson's monkey...). Remy was his usual indifferent self, but it did take Stoli a while to brave the hubbub of four excited labradors! LOTS of excited squeaking from Carbon and happy whale song from Benson 
After the "oohs and aahs" of the lovely surprise present from Swampdonkey, we settled down to a light supper, for once me cooking!
Looking forward to part 2....Benson and Carbon adventures in Cornwall...and maybe....a puppy visit?
After the "oohs and aahs" of the lovely surprise present from Swampdonkey, we settled down to a light supper, for once me cooking! Looking forward to part 2....Benson and Carbon adventures in Cornwall...and maybe....a puppy visit?
A @SwampDonkey collar! Lucky boy! It looks great. All the forum dogs are insanely jealous of Carbon's adventures and forum friends, that's for sure. I will not be telling Quinn
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Gran Canaria, senor Carbon.Carbon says, "Donde estas? Un lugar sin agua del cielo?" Where are you? A place without wet from above?
No wet from above
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Ooooh...disfrutas! Enjoy it!Gran Canaria, senor Carbon.
No wet from above
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Happy Landing !! Looking forward to seeing you both on Saturday , and introducing Reuben ! He , of course , wont be able to join us for a walk , he can sit on his Dads knee at the café whilst Nelly and the big fellas brave the elements . Talking of which , I have Noah on speed dial !!!
- Location
- South Wales
Pongo was the happiest, tiredest, dreamingest dog in the universe that night. We (both) thought it was so great to see you (both) again! Carbon is the most beautiful boy, and his hooman always brightens the day! Hope you get some better weather down in Cornwall for your week, not too much wetfromabove, and maybe try to reduce your average weekly mile count just a little....!!!
PS. Mr Beasley is not dead, he's just on the waiting list for treatment and will rise again. He says it was worth it for the adrenalin rush.