Life's a Bitch by Stitch

  I guessed something was happening when they packed the car with his bike, their food and clothes, walking gear and my bedding and food.  I decided to play hard to get when they tried to get me in the car too.  'We're off on a holiday,' she said trying to get the lead on me.  I swerved and he tried from the other side.  'Come on Stitch.  You'll enjoy it.'  I gave in but why wouldn't they pack a bucket and spade if we were going on a seaside holiday?  I soon discovered that this was going to be a walking holiday! We left him by the sea in Dinas Dinlle and set off back to the main road.  No footpath for a mile or more so I was on a short lead trying to avoid the traffic.  Then we had mile upon mile of pavement, sometimes by the road, sometimes a little way off, but the noise of traffic was always there. We met him at Clynnog Fawr, a big church dominating a little village.  The last three miles was in sunshine so I dried off after the...

  We were back at Penmaenmawr and set off along the promenade passing a few people and dogs until we reached the end.  From there it was up steps, up a hill and over the side of the mountain until we reached a bridge across the busy road.   Once safely across we followed it down through Llanfairfechan to the beach where Ian had parked up.  They enjoyed sandwiches at the beach cafe whilst I watched and waited for a morsel (and that's all I got).  Meanwhile a large group of lurchers, whippets and greyhounds were waiting for their owners to take them on a jaunt.   My walk continued along the beach - lots of interesting smells though I saw very few other dogs.   We reached a road then entered this nature reserve, the Spinnies, where I posed for a photo.  I think I should have been higher up. Then we met Ian and walked round the edge of Parc Penrhyn until we reached the road and our car.  A lovely walk though I had to do it all with...

 It was cool and breezy when we set off.  First we went past some houses then up onto the Little Orme and soft grassy paths.  It was great.  I enjoyed the smells and she enjoyed the views.  Pity I had to wear the halti to stop me pulling. We left the Coast Path and climbed up to the trig point with views of the Great Orme beyond Llandudno.  That's where we were heading. We rejoined the path that led to the main road down into the town. There were crowds of people on the promenade despite the cool weather.  We headed towards the pier then up the road round the Great Orme where Ian joined us on his bike.  That was more interesting with sheep, goats and even seals (though I couldn't see them). We stopped at the top for a rest then it was back down the other side. More goats!  I could smell them. At the bottom we walked past more holidaymakers and then it was back to the car.   A few days later we were back there in sunshine on a Bank H...

 Today was hot!  When we left Llanddulas we were on a cycle path with the Little Orme, our destination, in the far distance.  I behaved and didn't upset anyone.   By the time we reached Colwyn Bay the cycle path was part of a promenade with lots of people, dogs and a few bikes.  He joined us on his bike and took me down to the beach.  I was ready for a cool dip.   We continued along the promenade (after a drink at Bryn Williams' cafe).  Then he went back to the car but got a puncture so we had to stop at Penrhyn Bay.   That was a relief as it was too hot.  I had another dip in the sea then we went home.

'Come on,' I barked.  'Let's go before the gulls wake up.'   We were on a walk along the promenade from Prestatyn to Llanddulas, 12 miles away. The sea was still a bit choppy after the storms on Monday and the wind was breezy but there was a blue sky.  I met another beagle (off the lead!!!) but it was old.  There were lots of other people with dogs or children or on bikes.  He was on his bike and met us half way at the Bike Cafe by the Foryd Bridge in Rhyl.  Had a long drink and got some biscuits. He stayed with us for a while as we passed lots of work on flood defences along the seafront passing the funfair on the way to Pensarn Beach.   There we stopped for a rest and listened to the bingo caller in the amusement arcade.  The joys of a seaside holiday!   He cycled back to the car and we followed.  She had to be pulled most of the way.

  We set off along the coast with fields of maize to our left and the sea wall to the right.  It was a nice day and there was water in the puddles from the previous day's rain to drink.   My paws had to get used to walking on tarmac after we emerged from a wood onto a main road.  We passed another beagle as we entered Ffynnongroew and walked along the long street.  Then we were on the coast path again and there were more interesting smells among the flowers along the verges. When we reached the beach at Talacre I got really excited.  The last time I was here they let me off the lead and I could chase gulls.  This time I had to stay close though she did let me paddle in the pools.  The beach went on for ages and I was getting tired of sand and pebbles so I was pleased to have a change of scenery. We walked on seashells and then it was back to grassy paths and more sand.  I was getting tired and then saw him coming towards us and got excit...

  We're back in Flint.  We were dropped near the castle on a Sunday morning and set off west passing a few other dogs and owners.  This guy was sat looking up the estuary completely ignoring me. Further on I saw a rabbit cross the path but I was on my lead so couldn't get it.  I bravely ignored the gunfire as we passed the Clay Pigeon shoot.  On we walked, the water on my right and land to the left (apart from where we missed the path and had to retrace our steps.) There were lots of exciting smells and a few of these beacons. After we'd walked about six miles he joined us.  We headed along a high bank with cattle on one side and the sea on the other.  In the distance we could see a ship and that was the end of the walk.  It was only nine miles and there was a cafe at the end with free biscuits and their leftovers.  A perfect walk!