The Labraventures of Carbón, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire

Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
The last 48 hour countdown begins until our travels and I've still not even started to pack! Argh! On the other hand, Carbon and I had our first relaxing morning in a while and I've had a peek on a few travel lodging sites to verify that there is LOTS of availability left - at least for a one night dog-friendly stay. After that, fingers crossed.

Considering all I have to do yet to get ready and the fact that my big job interview was moved to Monday afternoon, I've decided to stay close to Regensburg in some little hidey-hole for Monday night, so our first big drive day towards the Alps will be Tuesday.

I'm generally heading towards Venice as a first goal. We may not end up actually IN Venice, but there's lots in that area that is a great adventure for a dog (and human), so we'll just see where my last-minute lodging strategy leads. Then it's on to see friends in Florence and Nice and Kinsale and the UK as the grand finale. How's that for hazy travel planning? :LOL:

So I'm off to pack and last minute shopping duty while Carbon rests up on the sofa to prepare for his co-navigator duties.

A dog can never be too prepared! :tail:
 
Stacia

Stacia

Location
Malvern Worcestershire
Emily, I think you are the most amazing person and you live your life to the full. Have you always had 'itchy' feet and travel? How brave you are to drive over the different countries, I am losing confidence about going to my nearest city 7 miles away and don't go! I can, however, drive in the countryside :). Venice is heaven, or was when I went years ago in an October, I don't remember it being crowded, but the soft sound of footfall, murmured conversation and the bells.

If you get the new job, does this entail travel or will you have to stay in one place?

My love to Carbon and may he have a fantastic adventure as well. Who would have thought that an 'abandoned' pup could live such an interesting life.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Jelinga said:
Have you always had 'itchy' feet and travel? How brave you are to drive over the different countries, I am losing confidence about going to my nearest city 7 miles away and don't go! I can, however, drive in the countryside
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Yes, I've had itchy feet for ages. :D I don't get it from my family, we never even went on family holidays except to go to California to Missouri, where both of my parents are from. My father thinks I'm an odd duck but has learned to live with it. He knows where I am in Spain and Germany, but once I leave home base he loses track.

I agree with you that countryside driving is much nicer. I've driven in big cities and it's much easier now with satnav, but I still don't like it. I'm not looking forward to driving in Italy, it's really nightmarish in places, but it's been two years since I've been and I really miss it. So...into battle I go!

Jelinga said:
If you get the new job, does this entail travel or will you have to stay in one place?
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We'll see! Technically the job is based in Utah of all places, but the hiring manager knows that I'm based in Regensburg and still wants to go ahead with the interview. Personally I don't think they understand the complications of hiring someone who doesn't live in the US, so even if I get an offer it still may go south. But I'm trying to keep positive as you just never know.

Jelinga said:
My love to Carbon and may he have a fantastic adventure as well. Who would have thought that an 'abandoned' pup could live such an interesting life.
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He's SUCH a good little globetrotter and that is so odd considering his background. I'm determined to get a few more country notches on his travel belt before he retires to a well-deserved life of pampered family pooch. :cool:
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
I thought it might be fun to occasionally post links to the places where Carbon and I will be staying. It is almost always possible to find dog-friendly even if sometimes the places can be a little on the bizarre side and maybe not the sort of thing you'd pick out if you DIDN'T have to go dog-friendly. On the other hand, usually the people are super nice and interesting to talk to.

First up is a place that screams "Bavarian" and "We got a new sofa in the main house so had to figure out where to stash the old one". Very cheery though with all the purple and orange.

I specifically inquired as to the dog-friendliness as Airbnb frankly stinks at dog-friendly search criteria. The owner replied right away with a friendly welcome for both Carbon and me, so we're booked and off to the races. It's only 2 hours from Regensburg but right on course for Salzburg and the Brenner Pass, so perfect. Plus they have ALPACAS. All the best dog-friendly holiday rentals have alpacas. Seriously. (y)

quiet apartment in the countryside - Apartments for Rent in Burgkirchen an der Alz, Bayern, Germany
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
snowbunny said:
Wow, that is "cheerful", isn't it?! :D
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Very Bavarian! :rofl:

Jelinga said:
One bed for you and one for Carbon :). It seems a very reasonable price for all you get.
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Yes, we've got it covered with the beds. We could even have some guests! Just Carbon and I don't need so much space of course, but it was actually less expensive (and looked more comfortable) than small hotels/inns in the area. Plus...alpacas. :happy:
 
snowbunny

snowbunny

Location
Andorra and Spain
Emily_Babbelhund said:
I am TOTALLY with you on the German pillow thing. I don't understand the point of them at all. One of my great luxuries once I bought a car was to also buy my own pillows as now I have a place to put them when traveling. Bought them in Spain so I could get the 'right' shape. :D
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But even that... I don't understand pillows. The Spanish have a slightly different shape oblong to the UK (which is obviously the right shape) and they have those weird square ones, too. Don't get me started on French pillows, though. What's with that weird long bolster thing, and a pillowcase that's open both ends to cover it?
Pillows should be standardised. Maybe this is why Brexit happened.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
snowbunny said:
Don't get me started on French pillows, though. What's with that weird long bolster thing, and a pillowcase that's open both ends to cover it?
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Shudders with horror. :scared:

That's the sign of a very bad (and old fashioned) hotel if that's all they have on the bed. It's supposed to be one of the bolster things PLUS the rectangular pillows. I once stayed with my boyfriend's French parents. Very progressive as they had us share a room, but all we had was one of those stupid noodle pillows for the both of us. Baaaad news. For that - and other reasons - we decamped for a nearby Ibis after two nights. I still love Ibis for their pillows.

snowbunny said:
The Spanish have a slightly different shape oblong to the UK (which is obviously the right shape)
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Enlightenment!!! :idea: Now I know why my Spanish-bought pillow cases didn't work on pillows in the UK! I thought they shrunk or something.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Boogie said:
I change my pillow cases every day, I love a fresh clean pillow case.
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Wow! You must have the world's biggest pillowcase collection. :D

My clothes packing is turning out to be easy but depressing. It appears that I've added even more poundage than I thought as nearly everything autumn/winter is too small. Like REALLY too small. I knew I'd gained back the 30 kgs I lost last year, but it looks like I've added another 10kgs on top of that this summer. My oh my oh my. Not good. :(

The bright side? I was wondering how I was going to fit all of Carbon's collection of stuffies and toys into the car. Now that I know that I only have four shirts and two pairs of trousers that fit, that frees up some serious space. Onward!
 
Xena Dog Princess

Xena Dog Princess

Location
Wellington, NZ
Oh my beating heart, the place has a beaded curtain for the kitchen! Funky.

Serious toilet question - that toilet is in the bathroom...is this common for Germany? Toilets are always separate in French homes (I'm sure there are exceptions), and I assumed Germany/continental Europe would be the same.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Xena Dog Princess said:
Serious toilet question - that toilet is in the bathroom...is this common for Germany? Toilets are always separate in French homes (I'm sure there are exceptions), and I assumed Germany/continental Europe would be the same.
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I've not seen the separate toilet thing in Germany or in Italy. My house in Spain has 'just a loo' in the downstairs but then two full baths upstairs.

I remember seeing the separate loo thing in France much more when I was younger. It was a good idea - especially when the people outnumber the bathrooms!
 
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