Visiting places without kids.

When our kids were little and we used to visit kid friendly places, we noticed lots of adults visiting without kids. From castles, to theme parks to Disney. Not just the younger generation (pre kids) but middle aged people like we are now.

We would question why on earth someone who is child free would choose to go somewhere full of kids when they don't have kids with them. When we were child free, after household chores, we chose the pub, visited friends and did the grown up shopping ie B&Q, Ikea etc.

We've always avoided doing things on bank holiday weekends and avoided the UK during the summer holidays when the kids were still at home and since they've left home we've gone places on week days and travelled outside of the school holidays.

However I'm now working in a school so now we're limited to weekends, evenings and holidays to go places. We visited West Wales over the Easter Weekend, went to a family fun day in the park over May Day and visited the RHS Spring Festival. We're going camping the week of the Jubilee, but will hopefully be in Australia for the main summer holidays.

Since the kids have left home, we've had spa days, private beach days, been out for brunch, had a game of crazy golf, been to tourist attractions, been to firework display's and seen laser shows and more recently joined our neighbours and friends with their children for Christmas light and garden shows as well as visiting indoor and outdoor play centres as well as soft play for dogs. I've taken Bob to the Lavender fields and Pumpkin Patch, been on doggy play dates and even attended Valentines events and taken Bob to see Santa more than once as well as hold birthday parties for the cat and the dog.

Beach days

Easter egg hunt

Pumpkin Patch

Light shows

So that's why adults go to kid friendly places, it's a lot of fun. It's a chance to explore places properly, to relax and not be running after kids, breaking up fights, amusing and entertaining kids of different ages and interests.

We do however, do things with our kids still, road trips, parties, shopping and meals, but these days they have their children with them and we can sit back, relax and just enjoy being out with them now and not having to take charge.

Batsford Arboretum - Day out with my dog. My Sunday Photo

Bob and I spent Monday with Mary and her son at Batsford Arboretum.

We spent too much time catching up to focus on taking many photos, but I did snap a few with my phone.

I love autumn in the UK, with the trees changing colour, something that doesn't happen in Dubai. I do miss the Spring in South Africa (same time of the year) and the purple of the Jacaranda trees.

Living in Malvern, most of the scenery has turned yellow and brown, so a visit to an Arboretum is a welcome sight with all the Japanese Maple turning red.

Entry costs £8.50 and obviously dogs are welcome. There was a cafe, coffee shop, clean toilets and good social distancing measures in place. 

Sadly now though there will be no more meet ups or visits for a while.

Photo opportunity at the Pumpkin Patch - Day out with my dog

Who needs kids to visit a Pumpkin Patch?

I took the dog.

A couple took their two reluctant older teens who refused to put boots on and insisted their pristine white designer trainers were fine....for a farm.

A young woman, dragged her boyfriend there.

There was one couple with a toddler, who was whipped up into a frenzy by the parents for the perfect insta moment.

Me? Dog off lead, Up Bob, sit, take photos, walk around Pumpkin Patch, came home.

Normally I'd buy a pumpkin and carve it, but as Halloween is during Half term, I don't see much point going to the cost and hassle for no one to see it and I won't be answering my door to trick or treaters due to covid this year anyway.

A weekend on Brean Sands with Bob the dog - Off lead experience

Last month I decided to take Bob away for a weekend to visit the beach before winter kicks in. We stayed at a Travelodge in Burnham on Sea and spent our days on the Brean Sands.

It was quite a difference experience paddling in the Bristol Channel than Bob's first beach trip which was in St Lucia, north of Durban in South Africa, where he paddled in the Indian Ocean and chased monkeys over the sand dunes.

His next beach experience was in Dubai, in the Arabian Gulf, but sadly it wasn't long before dogs were banned from the beaches there.

Bob has had a wonderful life after we adopted him in 2013 and has clocked up some air miles along the way.

His latest beach trip was a world away from South Africa and Dubai, this time it was late September and in the Bristol Channel. He had a wonderful time with miles of empty sand to run off lead and I didn't have to worry about him taking off after a monkey over the dunes in Durban like he did before or have to keep an eye out for crocodiles and hippos.

Now I've discovered we can stay in a Travelodge, it means there will be more beach trips ahead for us. Our tent is on its way over from Dubai in the shipping container so there will be camping next spring also to add to our UK adventures.

Bob's recall has diminished since moving to Dubai as outdoor spaces we have used have been shut down to dog users and the only place he's been able to run off lead for the past 3 years has been at indoor dog parks.

I started off with the short lead to get to open space.

Moved onto the longer lead to let him explore further

Let go of the lead to work on his recall, which he mastered, straight away.

Then let him off lead, knowing I had all day to get him back if necessary.

I always carry a ball and some treats as an incentive to get him to come back.

There were plenty of rest stops.

And food opportunities.

Being a dog owner in the UK is a new experience for us both. Bob hasn't been used to visiting beaches, parks, coffee shops and the sights and the sounds and the smells have taken quite a bit of adjusting to.

2nd - 4th October 2020 - Post Comment Love

Post Comment Love or #PoCoLo is a weekly link run by Stephanie from Life at 139a and I. You can link up with any post written this week. You Post, We Comment and We share the Love.

There is always a great selection of posts from fashion, gardening, child care, days out, sewing patterns, seasonal events and just general day to day life. If you've not joined in before or linked up for a while why not take another look.

For all of you who join in weekly, thank you. I really enjoy connecting with other people especially during Covid and the restrictions placed upon us for real life experiences.

I took Bob away last weekend for a few days, I wasn't enjoying the prospect of being stuck in one place for the foreseeable future. I'm constantly checking on travel requirements so I can hopefully get back out to Dubai for the winter, I'm concerned entry from the UK may be restricted with the R levels rising as they are.

I'm not surprised really having spent the weekend in Burnham on Sea. Whilst I took myself off to quieter beaches and other than the hotel or public toilets stayed outdoors for most of the time (including to eat) I was alarmed by the numbers of people on the sea front and beaches when I drove through Weston Super Mare and through Burnham. Groups of more than 6 adults, little social distancing and queues for piers and Wetherspoons just snaking down the pavements.

I find it easier to social distance when I'm on my own or out with Bob, I can cross roads and move out of the way easier, although I am fed up of constantly being the one who stands back to let others pass without acknowledgment and being the one to constantly step out onto the road.

We've only ever taken Bob away camping and to one place where we stayed in a house for a week and that was in South Africa and when we travelled we had a house sitter. In Dubai Bob always went into kennels when we were away. The UK gives me a combination of all 3 options. We have house sitters lined up for November, assuming I can travel and I was surprised to find the Travelodge accepted up to 2 domestic pets per visit. I've linked up with Bob's hotel stay this week.

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A hotel stay with a dog - Travelodge

After 2 weeks in isolation and with summer drifting away rapidly, I decided to grab the opportunity to go away for a couple of nights with Bob to the beach.

Looking for dog friendly accommodation as it was too cold to camp, I struggled to find anything for less than a weeks stay. So I decided to contact a couple of hotel chains.

I initially booked to stay at Days Inn in Bridgend, but they went into lockdown. I didn't realise Travelodge allowed dogs to stay over night and you can add then to your booking online under 'extras' at £20 per stay.

Bob was a little confused about being indoors, but soon walked straight to our room as I wasn't allowed to leave him unattended so we have a couple of trips to the car to bring in bags, food bowls and his bed.

I had to put his water bowl in the bathroom as the rest of the room is carpeted

Bob was more than happy to sleep by the side of my bed

Although every single noise had him up and by the door to see what was going on, mind you, I rarely sleep in a hotel room with all the activity going on.

We spent a fab two days on the beach, social distancing and walking around 8 miles each day. 

I brought my now towels with me to wash Bob and I did clean the bath afterwards as I needed to use it myself.

I wasn't able to leave Bob unattended in the hotel room so I had to put him in the car when I went to the local supermarket as there wasn't anywhere suitable outside to leave him. There was also no where to let him go to the toilet or just have some time off lead. Early mornings on the industrial estate were fine for a quick run off lead but not so keen on walking those areas at night before bed.

Bob and I are new to travel within the UK together. He's originally from South Africa and has spent the past 5 years living in Dubai. 

Camping with a dog in Oxfordshire, Barefoot Campsites - Day out with my dog

 Bob and I were invite to join friends camping at Barefoot Campsites in Oxfordshire for the weekend. The weather was reasonably good, some rain, but it didn't;t interfere with our planned activites, a walk to the pub and we managed to get the tent dry before packing it up.

Bob has been camping with me many times, all in South Africa. He does get a bit smelly, but it doesn't interfere with his eating or sleeping, he's just happy to be outdoors as much as possible.

It was a long drive to Oxford, dropping Peter at Heathrow, back to Bristol for a COVID test so I could fly the following week. I was surprised at how much space there was for Bob to have a walk and stretch his legs at Reading Services on the way to Bristol and back to Oxford.

I have a super long lead for Bob so he can explore but not escape, he has NO recall at all.

Given half the chance, he would have spent the day in the tent.

The scenery was stunning alongside the Thames for walking.

Whilst the sheep were fenced off from the path, the cows and bull weren't and people were letting their dogs run straight through the gates into the fields.

So after lunch and a pint, Bob and I decided to walk back along the main road, which was 7 miles to avoid the livestock and inconsiderate dog owners.

The rain held off mostly, but we were both dressed for the weather.

We stopped at another pub for a rest and I purchased some flowers from a house selling them on the side of the road.

The last mile back to the camp site.

Both Bob and I slept well that night.

I'm hoping Bob and I can go camping again towards the end of September when I'm back in the UK and have done my 2 weeks isolation. Wish us luck with the weather as we're planning to go to the beach.

A visit to Charlecote Park, National Park - Day out with my dog

I took out membership with the National Trust during lockdown to give me a few more options of places Bob and I could visit and meet up with friends for a day out.

On this visit Peter was in the UK so we met up with Mary and her son from Over40andamumtoone blog at Charlecote Park in Warwickshire

Bob is just happy to be out, he has no preference to where and he's not even bothered by the weather, which is a good job as it rained for most of our visit.

Charlecote Park has deer and sheep, Bob is really confused by sheep, thankfully he didn't spot the deer, not a clue what he would've done if he'd seen them.

I kept Bob on a short lead new the water, as he likes to swim and I didn't have a towel to dry him off.

I also have a lead extension to allow him to wander a little bit further but still under control. bob has NO recall whatsoever and we've spent many an hour in South Africa and in the desert in Dubai just patiently waiting for him to come back.

The house was closed, but the coffee shop open.

If you've visited any dog friendly places recently, I'd like it if you'd share some of them with me.

Day Out With My Dog - Eastnor Castle

These days I don't go anywhere unless I can take my dog with me.

I'm please to say I'm finding the UK much more friendly towards dogs the Dubai is and also the weather here in the UK makes it possible to take Bob out for a walk everyday, even in the rain. In Dubai between May and October, the temps reach the high 40's and the dog can't be outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Eastnor Castle near Ledbury, Herefordshire is dog friendly (on lead) and there are plenty of paths to follow for long or shorter walks, open fields and woodland areas.

Bob really enjoys water, I've invested in a longer lead for him so he can explore further but he has such bad recall, it could be hours before he comes back.

Despite the Covid restrictions, there was still plenty to do, not only for the dog, but for humans old and young. My mum was able to walk the paths as were the twins (pushing the buggy was hard in places)

Plenty of rest stops

Loads of open space to safely play and explore. Sadly dogs must remain on leads.

Booking in advance during Covid needed, entry £5 for adults and £3 for children. Dogs were free of charge.

The picnic site was well laid out, good service with the tea room and ice cream vendors and toilets lovely and clean.

I'm only a few miles down the road, but Eastnor isn't a place I'll be revisiting just with my dog. I don't need to pay £5 just to walk him. I will go there again though for a day out with picnic and friends.