Terrier Trio On The Thames

Well, as you will see below, I have been taking my pills like a brave little soldier, so mum said that we could go & meet Ralf & Molly as we had planned earlier in the week before I hurt myself, yay!



As we went to my favourite walking spot last time, it was their turn to choose today & they chose Buscot Weir.

Here is the weir, pretty cool isn't it? Asta could go surfing in there!



This part of the river (Lechlade) is very near the start of the Thames, which you may know as the river that runs through London. There were lots of boats & barges on the water, but I didn't see Simba.

There were quite a few locks along the river as there are different levels of water. At this lock there was a man to help, but mostly you have to get out of your boat & use your own muscle power.

We saw lots of animals as we walked. There were lots of pairs of swans. I kept away from them as dad says they don't really like dogs & could attack if I got too close. He said they can break a man's arm, eeek! They are beautiful & graceful though.

We also saw lots of cows along the river bank. They were enjoying dipping their toes & having a refreshing drink.

As soon as Molly & I were let off our leads we were straight in the water! Well, it was a hot morning & we needed to keep cool.



The water was so refreshing & deliciously smelly.

We made sure that we went in at every available access point, just to make sure we didn't miss a particularly good muddy section of river bank.



We did some water kung-fu workout, kind of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dolphin" stylee.

Do you find you have selective hearing when you're having far too much fun in the water? I blame it on water getting in my ears. Terrible.

We also did plenty of running around like crazies in the fields alongside the river. They were getting full of wild flowers & were really pretty, not that I was taking too much notice as I was far too busy having fun.

I am getting stronger & faster week by week, & even with a bit of a sore paw, Molly was having trouble out running me. She is the younger of her & Ralf (She is nearly 5, Ralf is nearly 6), but she is the dominant one & is used to Ralf giving up quickly when she chases him. Not me though! She has met her match with Oscar, hehehe!

She had to have a few lie downs while we were playing to have a breather. Aren't her ears cute?

Her mum tried to glue it when she was a puppy, but it was determined to stick up. I just think it gives her more pawsonality.

Ralf is such a handsome boy. He's not a big fan of dogs other than his sister but he was loads better with me this week. He only barrel rolled me over once. We had some time off the lead together & I think he is accepting me as part of his pack. Hopefully next time he'll be fine with me. I understand he doesn't want me up in his face.

After some lunch & a drink at a nice country pub, we were all refreshed & ready for the walk back. Molly & I did some serious "bum tuck" running!



We ran one way...

We ran the other way...

We ran until we were sooooo tired. We found a nice spot to have a drink under a big shady tree.

Well, a drink & an extra paddle. The cleaner water was further out, OK mum?

Ralf is a real gent & doesn't like getting dirty & stinky, but he really needed a drink too so he carefully went to the edge.

But he was too near the edge & he slipped in! Luckily for him, mum missed getting it on camera. Ralf was so cross with himself! He was frantically trying to give himself an "Airedry" on all the grass, poor Ralf!

There were some really pretty buildings & bridges along the river.

And mum spotted this lovely old tree. Imagine how many dogs must have left pee mail on that over the years!

Here I am with dad, Molly & her mum & dad. Ralf is hiding round the back somewhere I think.

They were watching the lock keeper open the gates to let a barge & another little boat through so they could carry on up the river.

Look how huge the lock gates are! The water needs to get as high as the tide mark then the water will be at the same level as the river beyond & the gates will open easily.

The people on board just have to be patient & wait. It takes about 10 minutes for the lock to fill. In the summer I can imagine queues of boats can build up.

I got bored of waiting for the water & went to say hello to a Spaniel.

I was soooooooo sleepy on the drive home - I had to prop myself up with my leg to stop me wobbling over as I was nearly asleep standing up! Look, even my ears are all droopy & tired!

I had to have a power nap when I got home as I wanted to be up ready to chat with you guys in the evening! How much fun was the pawty? I had such an excellent time chatting to old friends & making new ones. Sorry to any of you who had Airedale bombardment on Sunday when we were all in there, hehehe!

Licks

Oscar x