The Bobster at home

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Just in case you haven't read my bio, I wanted to add a little more about who I am and more on my day to day life.

Most days are spent at home and my favourite thing is to sit in the garden, that way I can chase the birds, squirrels, and ward off those pesky foxes.

The human takes this opportunity to do some chores (yawn) like washing my bed stuff,  then bathing me (grrrr!)

My human uses Buddy Wash for me. She thinks it smells lush and it certainly leaves my coat shiny, but you simply can't beat the smell of a sizzling sausage, imho. Woof!

 When home, I feel it my responsibility to guard my territory and I'm always on duty from that Ocado driver, delivery man and POSTMAN, for whom I lie in wait.

Is that the Postman I hear?

Is it?

There's got to be a reward for chasing them away. Right?

This is what my day looks like in my head. I spend time with my bestie, mulling things over a glass of wine, or two (woof!)

Or I imagine I'm bending it like Beckham...

This is what I might look like if I were wed (artwork by Thierry Poncelet)

But I'm having way too much fun being single!!!

I always show my support for the fallen war heroes

I join in the fun and go trick or treating, treat being my favourite word!

TREAT!!!!

and I simply adore Christmas, all that food (woof!)

I even have my own tree!

The Bobster's favourite walkies - Pitshanger Park

When I am not travelling, or exploring somewhere new, I go to my local parks. Pitshanger Park is in Ealing, west London. It has a small free carpark, and there is ample free off-street parking in the neighbouring streets. The park has a playground and a playgroup, football and tennis coaching, newly refurbished tennis courts and lessons for all ages run by Will to Win. They also provide excellent coffee and snacks, including dog snacks  (woof!) at their café, which has a patio where we dogs can sit. More seating is provided on the grass area next to the courts. This is my usual park. I look forward to getting back to it whenever I have been away and sniff out exactly what has gone on in my absence.

wishful thinking, trying to catch the ball

The park is a great asset to the local area, from old to young (humans and dogs) and has its regular walkers, so I get to meet my friends here. Near the bowling green the council have planted wild flowers. These are a very pretty addition to the park. In the heat of summer I like to walk through the allotments which lead out then back into the park, but offer welcome shade.

The wild flowers near the bowling green

The Bobster visits Ripley, Yorkshire

It may be called Ripley, but dogs aren't made to feel Alien here (woof!) It's a very dog friendly village. Ripley is in North Yorkshire, near Harrogate on the A61 towards Ripon. It is a very pretty village, with Ripley Castle at its heart, which offers good walks beyond the walls for dogs. There is a cluster of shops in the courtyard near the castle and I can wander there but not within the castle walls/gardens. The humans like to visit Ripley as it is very pretty, oldie-worldie, and they indulge in sporting activities here, or eat (woof!) and it is within easy range for a day trip for those of the humans who live in York.

When here with my human we stay at the Boar's Head, which is right next to the castle. Dogs (and the humans with them) stay in rooms allocated off the main hotel, and in some of the superior rooms. For £10 per night I am provided with a bed, bowls and treat (woof!) 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 The food here is excellent, and it is a friendly and welcoming ambience. In summer it is great to sit out in the courtyard but we can eat in the bar/restaurant and are allowed in the parlour area too. 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

The Bobster visits Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Bury St Edmunds is a medieval town in Suffolk. In the centre of Bury St Edmunds is Abbey Gardens, which has the remains of the abbey,  built back in 1020. It was built primarily as a shrine to Saint Edmund, to whom many miracles were attributed. The abbey was mostly destroyed during the 16th century but its ruins are very much a feature of the gardens, perfect for selfies (woof!) and it is a very nice place to walk for we dogs and our humans, with a café and an aviary and well laid out flower beds and rose gardens.

My stay in Bury St Edmunds was at The Angel Hotel, a boutique hotel right in the centre of town, and directly facing Abbey Gardens. There is parking on site and in the square, but you simply need to rock up to the door and the valet will park your car for you. There is a very good restaurant where the humans enjoyed dinner and breakfast, but I was welcome to join them for eats and drinks in the large lounge area.  There are also a couple of cafes next to the hotel where I could have breakfast, and did one of the mornings.  Woof!

During my stay we had a very large bedroom, with wooden floors and I was provided with bowls and a toy. The charge was £15.  5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 I do plan on visiting this lovely place again.

If you have exhausted all that Bury St Edmunds has to offer then a good place to visit is Ickworth House Gardens, just a short jaunt away. There is parking a plenty and the walk takes you through more landscaped areas to the walled gardens, or more rugged areas, which are great for a roll and sniffs.

And, if you get tired of all that walking, how about stopping off at The Norton Dog (woof!) a short drive away from town and really good food. I enjoyed mine served by the friendly staff as I lounged by the cosy fireplace in the bar area. (woof, woof!) 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

The Bobster visits Harrogate

The spa town of Harrogate is reached via the A59 from York. It has many fine parks in which to dog walk. Here I am walking in The Stray which has over 200 acres of open space and, as you can see, is a wonderful sight to see in March/April, when the trees are in blossom.

It is a dog friendly town with many places to stay. I
like to stay at the Hotel Du Vin which allows me to eat in the large bar area inside, and out on the terrace, which is lovely on summer evenings. For the charge of £20 I am provided with a bed and bowls. 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

It is very central and near the Montpelier area, where you can wander the shops or visit the famous Betty's Tea rooms. Sadly, I am not allowed in there. However, there are outdoor cafes a plenty and one of my favourites Filmore and Union allows me and the humans in for some fresh juices, and healthier eats.

I have enjoyed some great walkies around town and if you get tired, there are plenty of coffee shops and bars to stop at (woof!). However, there are beautiful walks in the nearby Himalayan Gardens. It is about a 30 minute drive from Harrogate and you will find directions on their website. It really is worth a visit, even though there are a few narrow roads along the way to negotiate which can be a bit tricky for the city slickers. .

Knaresborough is also well worth a trip. It is more or less halfway between York and Harrogate (about 4 miles from Harrogate) along the A59. One of its famous landmarks is Mother Shipton's Cave and I like to walk in the Knaresborough Castle park. There is parking and the walk can take as long as you want it too, by the ruins, or along the viaduct (worth seeing) with every bend offering a differing view. It's also nice and shady by the River Nidd so cooler in those hot summer days. I love it and so does the human. 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

The Bobster's favourite walkies - Richmond

I love Richmond Park. When I want to chill, this is where I go. It is my happy place and well loved by us dogs, our human companions, walkers, cyclists, runners and families who just want to get out and experience the great outdoors in all its splendour. It is an escape from the busy city, which can be seen in the far horizon (in fact there is a viewpoint through the park which leads to St. Paul's cathedral, whose dome is visible just among the distant trees) We need to cherish such places. In these days of pollution, they are the lungs of London. 5 paws 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

We travel there by car entering via Richmond Gate. There is free parking near Pembroke Lodge, a nice little coffee and ice cream cafe.
Our walk takes us to the left towards the wide open spaces where often the deer are seen roaming. The human keeps me on the lead if we get near the herds, as one never knows how deer will react, especially if it is rutting season.

My friend Holly and human friend Chelsea

Then we head out of the park, past the Star and Garter then through Terrance Gardens towards the river. The riverside walk leads to Richmond centre, where the human and I have a bit of a browse in the upmarket shops (yes, I am welcome in most shops and cafes here)

Terrace Gardens

Then it's back up the hill towards a well-earned sit down for a spot of lunch or dinner at my favourite place - The Lass O' Richmond Hill.  It has recently been refurbished but maintains its cosy charm, with fires lit in winter, and lovely seating areas outside in summer. I and my fur friends are welcomed here with treats, which are in jars by the door, and water bowls.

I am allowed in the large bar area, and also in the seated areas outside, one of which is for non-smokers, so that is a bonus. I hate cigarette smoke when I am eating (grrrr!!) The food is excellent and staff very friendly, so me and the human are a regular visitors. There are also board-games and colouring and a kid friendly menu if the little humans join us, so I give it 5🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾