The Bobster visits The Devonshire Fell Hotel, Burnsall, Yorkshire

 Set in the Yorkshire Dales is the lovely village of Burnsall which was one of the villages that featured throughout the feature film Calendar Girls, starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. Overlooking this scenic village and the surrounding Dales is the Devonshire Fell Hotel.

The hotel is owned by the Bolton Abbey Estate and we  have stayed a couple of times at the sister hotel, The Devonshire Arms, so thought we would give this a go. I'm not sure if I took the right road from York but it involved a lot of narrow winding roads that this city slicker isn't used to - nor was the human who was driving. She breathed a sigh of relief when we arrived at what was apparently "wine o'clock". That was lucky, as the hotel served a fantastic Nelson Sauvignon blanc.

              

The interiors are comfortable and bright, the bedrooms have a country feel as one would expect, but the views are the best. The charge for my stay is £10 per night and I had a great and relaxing time. Dinner was really delicious, according to the humans. I was not allowed to share this experience in the dining area but I was able to sit in the conservatory while the humans enjoyed a late lunch.

To be honest, there is not a lot to do around the hotel, which is perfect if you're like me and simply want to do nothing (woof!) but enjoy the hotel and the environs. However, there were little humans with us and they wanted to stretch their legs so next day we headed to the neighbouring Bolton Abbey, which is 10 minutes away. Here are some photos taken at Bolton Abbey. Overall, we enjoyed the Devonshire Fell and would like to return for another stay, without the little humans, as, while there's plenty for the rambler, biker, or hiker,  there really isn't much to amuse them. 🐾🐾🐾🐾

Happy birthday to The Bobster - 10 today

Its my birthday on July 15th so, as it's a big one (I'm 10),  the human thought I should celebrate all week. Woof 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
To kick things off, she ordered me some delicious pupcakes which arrived this afternoon from Fetch Their link will take you to the cakes specially made for dogs. I can verify, they are d-e-lic-ious and at £3.50 will not break the bank. The cakes are from Barking Bakery  and the Fetch delivery can be added to Ocado so you only pay one delivery fee (better still, opt for a smart pass if you get regular deliveries)

In honour of my birthday, the human has written me a poem - Happy Birthday Bobby, so all I have to do now is have my cake and eat it. How wonderful!

Happy birthday, Bobby dear.

Today we celebrate your 10th year. 
May all your days enjoy much cheer,
With pup-cakes, treats, and doggy beer.

You’ve never asked for special things

For birthdays: riches, diamond rings,

A jet to spread its metal wings,

To Vegas, L.A., or Palm Springs.

You’re a clever boy.

You’ve not got fleas.

Your goal in life’s to simply please

We humans, though we try to tease, 

And hide the ball within the trees. 

You’re just so happy every day.

To walk, to sniff, to run and play.

Explore new places, or simply stay,

Next to the door when I’m away.

You ask for nothing, Bobby dear.

But to us all you bring such cheer.

So here’s to another fabulous year.

To our happy chappy.

Now pass the beer!

Just one more thing - Make a wish...

And there you have it - wishes DO come true. Woof!

Hot in the City

It's summer, the temperatures are over 30 degrees and you are enjoying all this sun, sports, and sangria but, if you are a dog owner, summer has a fair share of health risks for fur family and friends you should be aware of.
I've blogged before of the danger of grass seed - Nasty stuff.
However, the high temperatures have their own hazard, namely heatstroke. Imagine if you humans had to walk around wearing a fur coat, yet were unable to sweat to cool down. It wouldn’t take long before you overheated. And it can happen within minutes.
Dogs should be walked in the early morning or late in the evening when it is cooler.
Bring water for drinks and to douse the dog. Try to walk in a shady area.
Avoid any over exertion, like chasing a ball. Don't let the dog do that either (woof!)
DO NOT LEAVE your fur family members in the car. For further advice on prevention, signs, and treatment of heatstroke Follow this link
You can put a bottle of frozen water on the dog’s bed to cool it at night but if your dog is anything like me, the floor is cooler these nights. This clever chap has the right idea. (photo found on the Lad Bible Oz, Facebook)

The danger from the Oak Processionary Moth has almost passed for this year, as the caterpillars are changing to moths around this time and it is a hazard to both animals and humans that I only just became aware of, even though I live in Ealing, one of the core areas. They can cause nasty rashes and irritation, even from the hairs that are shed and lie on the ground, so I am surprised it is not spoken of more. Check it out, if you want to learn more.
But, it is summer, it is hot, so let's enjoy it. In the words of Billy Idol, though it may be Hot In the City:
Don't be no fun, don't forget you're young
On a hot summer night

To The Manor Borne

To The Manor Borne

When we took to the road that morning,

I was feeling quite forlorn.

What cheered me up, 

was a bit of sup, 

when to the Manor borne.

The place was grand but welcoming.

There was croquet on the lawn.

Had I known 'tis posh

I'd have brought some dosh, 

when to the Manor borne.

If only they had told me,

my best clothes I'd have worn.

But I looked cute,

in my birthday suit. 

When to the Manor borne.

Okay, enough of this poem, which was written by the human. I was looking for a good poem to use and actually found a rather great one, The Old Manor House by Ada Cambridge, which is really well worth a read.

The Manor House Hotel is in the very picturesque village of Castle Combe, which is really chocolate box beautiful. We were blessed with the most brilliant bank holiday weather, so this made it perfect  to explore the wonderful village and the hotel grounds.

It was my favourite part of the day (lunchtime) when we arrived so we headed to the table we had pre-booked at The Castle Inn, which is just by the hotel and dog-friendly. The food was excellent. I usually only have two meals a day, so lunchtime is bonus time (woof!) 🐾🐾🐾🐾Pre-booking is recommended as the pub does get very busy. I'm not surprised. Yum!
We had some little humans with us, and as this was a family trip, and as children aged under 11 are not allowed in the Michelin star restaurant in the evenings, we opted for casual dining that evening. Now you're getting an insight into the workings of my mind. Did you see the speed that I went from lunch to dinner? Not even a blink. And as if nothing happened in between. The in between was spent exploring the grounds, and village, and generally lazing about waiting about for dinner.

We could have eaten in one of the comfortable lounges indoors but, with such perfect weather, we dined in the fabulous garden. The waiting staff ( actually, all the staff) were really nice and friendly. Our waiter suggested some rather great sounding gin, so my human had some (would be rude not to, or so she says) and the wine was great too. Food was excellent.

The human had booked the stay via a hotel booking site, so the message had not been passed to the hotel that I (a dog) was coming. The hotel has only 5 dog friendly rooms but we were allocated a room in the cottages, which sound small, but are really good sized. However, it did mean that no bowls or bed was provided for me. The charge for dogs is £25 per night and only one dog allowed per room.

That being said, the human got me my blanket and I was very comfy. The bathroom was huge, with lovely Bamford bath products provided, which the human loved so much, she has ordered some online.
Overall, this was a very relaxing stay. It feels very stately and a great place to bring visitors, specially those from overseas. I really do hope to visit the Manor again. This time, I'll be wearing my best outfit and will be sure to pre-book a dog-friendly room. Woof 5 paws for the Manor🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Oh look, there I am looking all Downton Abbey like when really I was just trying to figure out which of those rooms they keep all the food in.
Gisborough Hall Hotel is dog-friendly and near the small town of Guisborough (not a typo - One of the early hotel owners was granted the title of Lord Gisborough and he decided this spelling to be historically correct. Hey, I'm not about to argue with a Lord, even a dead one). The hotel is situated  near the North Yorkshire coast and the very scenic North York Moors National Park.

I went there a couple of weeks ago for an overnight stay with the human, and young humans. We were greeted very well and escorted to our room and helped with the bags by a very nice man who explained all about the rooms, etc.  They obviously knew I was coming as they had laid out the red carpet.

 I was provided with a bowl, Biscuits (woof! 5 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾and was not shy about making short work of those biscuits.

The Human liked the room. It had a country feel, was spacious, with a large bathroom, and the bed was very comfortable (apparently). The grounds were very nice and there were Llamas right by the entrance to the hotel, which the little humans enjoyed seeing. There was a wedding party that night but there was no sound of it in our room. In fact, it is a great venue for a wedding - the grounds are lovely and the scenery beyond too.

Just after arrival we decided to take the little humans to the nearby seaside town of Saltburn. The beach there is dog-friendly and there were donkey rides, a row of shops selling all sort of goodies and food. Its popular with surfers, so felt a bit like being in Cornwall. Parking was right by the sea too.

I'll tell you something about the sea air, it sure does make a dog hungry. The little humans were hungry too after a while so we headed back to Gisborough Hall for some food. There is a lovely terrace to sit and eat on but we preferred to sit indoors as the little humans wanted to run around too much. Like, haven't they been trained to "Stay"?

Next day's breakfast was a buffet with also a choice of cooked breakfast. It was very good, according to the human, who had porridge with mixed berries and nuts. NOT A SAUSAGE FOR ME! She did bring me some bacon so I didn't huff for long.

We really had a good time at Gisborough Hall. The only problem was our stay was too short to try out the spa or have a proper evening meal in their fine restaurant. Next time.

After checkout we headed to another dog friendly beach at Marske by the sea with miles and miles of golden sand. That was fun. For a while I thought I was in California.

Must do this all again soon. Woof!

Back online - did you miss me?

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Dear Reader(s)
I must apologise profusely for my absence from this blog (Gawd how you must have missed it) but this was all down to the human. She literally put her foot in it, the laptop's screen to be exact, which remained cracked for a good 4 months before she deemed fit to take it to the local computer shop. The nice guy there fixed it within an hour and replaced the whole screen. Men, eh!

So, you may ask, why the six month absence? Well, the human has been busy. As well as our usual walks and gallivanting around the beautiful UK countryside, something possessed her to try her hand at writing a book for kids, AND to illustrate it.
You may like to take a gander. Book wot the human wrote
or even buy the cheaper e-book version here

Here are a couple of the drawings but if you would like to read the book, that would be awesome (woof!)🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

The Bobster visits York

It was cold, but there was a very warm welcome awaiting  me and the humans at the Grand Hotel, York. 
The concierge is always congenial, and the doormen, wrapped up in their warm woolly coats, welcome you with a smile.
No need to park the car, they will do that for you and take care of the luggage - super.

Our room was huge, seriously, it was like living in our own little apartment for  the weekend. The bathroom was just as spacious with both a bath and separate large shower. The bath products are Molton Brown, loverly (woof!)

The Grand is just that, grand and is a 5 Star indeed. It has a spa, with swimming pool, gym, etc. Their are two restaurants: The Hudson and the newly added Rise. The Rise is a bit less formal and there is live music at the weekends. The humans enjoyed this on the Friday night and tell me that this was one of the best meals they have had in a long time. ( hello, doggy bag, anyone?)


My last visit was in November so the hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the holiday season. I am so looking forward to my next visit. And I am also looking forward to exploring more of the beautiful Yorkshire countryside in 2018. To that end, I hope to start doing some of these
dog walks of Yorkshire