Yesterday, I had a slight whinge about our holiday arrangements in Pembrokeshire. The dog friendly caravan site at Lleithyr Meadow, that was anything but, well now I will tell you how the situation was retrieved. About two years ago, he joined the National Trust, there was much comment about this being a waste of money at the time, but this, we have found, has not been the case. They have the best and the cheapest car parks in the country, for members they are free. This, for the dog walking fraternity, is an absolute gem, beyond price. Along with this obvious advantage comes entrance to their properties free, and access to the surrounding countryside, which is always remarkable. In Pembrokeshire the NT owns most of the coastline, along with some very beautiful beaches. I was, they said in the NT shop in St David’s very welcome on all their beaches and they also supplied maps, direction and expert knowledge on how to find them. Consequently I spent many wonderful days swimming and walking in the very best of areas. It was absolutely fabulous and she was off suicide watch, which was of benefit to all.

So the campsite can keep its much advertised Whitesands non National Trust beach dog free, we had better fish to fry. On this note, He says that Dick Turpin’s ( a famous Highway man) ancestors are alive and well, living in St David’s. Fish and chips there cost them the best part of £15 for two small, soggy battered pieces of cod, soggy chips and two small portions of mushy peas. It reads as revolting as it was and even I turned my nose up at the abundant left over’s.

We will discuss my second week’s holiday in N.Wales next week. Have a lovely weekend. We will regroup on Monday, broadband allowing.

I am as always

La Grande Sophie.

I will leave you with a question, one that I have failed to understand since we went on our latest travels with the Grockle. Why do dog owners take their dogs to Lleithyr Meadow Caravan Club Site, St David’s, Pembrokeshire. Yes I know, they did check that it was dog friendly, with a dog walk. The walk was the size of 5 supermarket parking bays, (this was a big site with many family pets) and was consequently little more than a toilet area. I was not allowed in there, a very dirty place even though big notices said clear up after your dog. This was just the first of many problems with this so called dog friendly site. Friendly it wasn’t. What they also don’t tell you, apparently we should find out for yourself before you book she was told by the officious commandant, who obviously has a better internet connection than us, is that dogs are not allowed on the local blue flag beach in the holiday season. This unfortunately, unless you are like my ‘Empty Nesters’, such a lovely description of parents whose chicks have flown the coop, who just have me to worry about, tends to split the family up. Who takes the children to the beach and who stays with the family pet? An interesting dilemma; especially as two pairs of eyes are far better than one when children or animals and the beach are involved? Nevertheless, the Commandant and cohorts at Leithyer Medow had a better idea for exercising me, said cohorts told them to exercise me on the cliff walk. You should see it. Fantastic open spaces, cliffs that have been hewn and sawn by the mighty Atlantic; a wonderful place for a cocker spaniel on the trail of the many lovely scents to waltz myself over an edge to an unfortunate end. Yes, I was on the lead, not good for me or him, either that or she had hysterics, so it was the better part of valour for us.

The Commandant and cohorts further impressed when asked what had strewn rubbish around the site this morning, replied ‘Badgers, people shouldn’t leave any foodstuff in the awnings.’ Perhaps if the badger problem was mentioned in the arrival blurb, they wouldn’t. Sadly our neighbours were ransacked and all the cakes made by their little girl for the holiday devoured. A pity that the Commandant could not put the same enthusiasm into making visitors stays as enjoyable as possible as she did for collecting the fees on arrival.

What a wonderful dog friendly holiday. But you know every cloud has a silver lining. My Empty Nesters may be dozy but sometimes they are extremely innovative. How did they turn my fortunes around? I will tell you tomorrow.

I am of course

La Grande Sophie

Au revoir mes amis

La Grande Sophie

Also on our return we found we had lost any usable broadband yet again, on its return it was found to be, astonishingly, even slower than usual. This truly frustrates my scribe and she says we will have to stop posting soon, as it has become impossible, I have already lost my Facebook slot, this seems very sad, it would appear this time I really am going to be muzzled. She says she has a dozen projects that need attention; including the guys, still stuck in the canyon and being harassed by a supper witch; she says she can’t be ‘faffing about with this bleep, bleep, broadband all day.’ To add to my problems it would appear the website had lost a widget while we were away. My scribe and I have no idea what a widget is, so this is the job for today, we will get back to you with some answers.

I intend to bore you all week with what my companions thought was a suitable destination for a cocker spaniel to holiday. It will make interesting reading and give you a massive insight into the brain power of the people who have my destiny at their command. I am now off on the trail of a widget whatever that maybe.

I am of course

La Grande Sophie.

I am in the proverbial again. Tuesday she was informed that I am not allowed in Lloyds TSB anymore ‘health and safety rules.’ The kind customer service person told her three times while we were waiting in the queue and again when we got to the cashier and was even thoughtful enough to inform him too. Was this not a bit over the top? What was she to do, take me home then come back, it’s a good way and the petrol involved. Was she to chain up this very expensive pedigree to the railings outside the bank and hope for me to be (gone?) still be there when she got back, or stand her ground? She stood her ground; she was seething but stood her ground. Then yesterday I went to the beauty parlour (I told you I was expensive). She was told in no uncertain terms that the level of my personal hygiene was not up to standard. There was matting close to the skin on my feathering. She was told, my feathering must be brushed daily and well, she must be firm with me…! She was charged £4 extra for my being ‘knotty’ This morning we met Juicy Lucy coming up the road, (she is a Westie very chatty) I did not want her to have my ball so moved sideways into the road. Apparently if a car had been coming I would have been a goner. She says she is entirely fed up to the back teeth with me, my antics and associates. I am nothing but a pain in the neck. He says she needs a holiday. She says she does – from me…!

We are in fact off on holiday tomorrow, (Saturday) for two weeks. I have been promised the beach and golden sands. The Grockle has arrived and I am looking forward to a lovely time, but I wish she was not coming. If I could figure out a way of ‘making this so’ believe me I would. We would have a far better time without her. By the way we still have a coalition government, and Robbie Williams is returning to Take That, and Madrid Zoo have reputedly made an unlimited offer for Psychic Paul.

Have a lovely weekend we will regroup in two weeks.

I am of course

La Grande Sophie.

That flaming octopus is still making the headlines, I really cannot abide show offs. It really is so vulgar to make a display of oneself in this way, much undignified. What was also undignified was the trip I made to the vets. As you know a trip in the kennel on wheels is my favourite occupation, however, there are certain rhythms and bumps in the road that correspond with a trip down Bourne way to the vets. Nothing ever good happens on these trips, it usual ends up like this one. Why do I need worming, it is not as if I dine at restaurants with worms on the menu, and why do they make said wormers so large? The nurse was rather condescending when asked if she would give me the tablet as it was very difficult, ‘you just drop it down the back of the throat’ she said. I managed, creditably, to defy all attempts to get these wormers down my throat. She even tried with my favourite rice dish. I licked it off and spat it out. The rice dish was excellent. By the fourth attempt I was getting bored with the whole performance (it was of the Oscar variety) and no more titbits were on offer so I decided the better part of valour was to swallow the …..thing. My scribe, to her credit, did not utter the over used phrase ‘I told you so’.

One should always know when to give in gracefully. Note to Psychic Paul give in gracefully and slope off back to your pond. I am bored with you and according to my scribe’s friend Wiki Octopi only live from three to five years. So take it easy mate and go back to your pond life. It is very stressful in the spot light, and only true stars survive…! We have heard from Cheapseats at last; he is on his way home tonight, from what has been an extremely arduous tour of duty at the World Cup, he says. We hope to see him soon with many lovely stories to tell, I am sure.

I am of course

La Grande Sophie

Well that flamingly octopus managed to correctly predict the outcome of the World cup and Spain eventually won the final. It was too hot for popcorn they agreed, (I was not asked, it is never to hot for popcorn). I, however, decided it was too hot to sit on the sofa, so I watched from my vantage point by the bookcase in the cool. She tries to stop me watching the oblong box she says it gives my nightmares. It does not! I believe this argument has been logically concluded on a number of occasions, but doubtless my necessary interloper will disagree anyway out of her compulsive desire to have the last word. So, contrary to her expectations; I slept well last night, even with that fan blowing at me. I really do not like the fan but it is necessary irritation in this hot weather. Where was I? Ah! Yes, Psycho Paul (or was it Psychic Paul I cannot remember?) who, I suppose deserves a mention for correctly predicting that Spain would win. My prediction of Holland winning was totally adrift. My only excuse can be is that Psychic Paul has eight legs and I have just four, and it was insufferably hot.

He, along with most of the media pundits, was disappointed with the Dutch resorting to some unfairly brutal tactics; it was surprising they were not reduced to 10 men (or less) in regular time. It was perhaps even more surprising that the Spanish were not reduced to only 7 or 8 player due to injury. Not since Karate Kid 1 has he seen such an impressive flying kick to the chest, perhaps De Jong should consider karate at the 2012 Olympics as an alternative option for a winners medal. Fortunately, the Spanish who continued to impress with their patient, skilful passing used to develop some excellent chances that the Dutch defence did well to last until extra time before conceding the winning goal. The Referee did his utmost not to send players off and relegate the final to a one sided walk over.

The oblong box says a BBC children’s puppet called Andy Pandy, who appeared on the Watch with Mother series is sixty today, apparently he sings ‘Andy Pandy’s coming to play tra la lah la la lah’ Not to my house he will not;I have had more than enough of a singing anything. He can go Looby Loo.

I am off to fetch my lead for a walk in the rain.

I am of course

La Grande Sophie

We are all awaiting the predictions for the world cup final between Holland and Spain. There is a very cocky octopus (Psychic Paul) that is now bidding for world fame that thinks he can predict which team can win. Apparently this resident of Germany has been right so far and even predicted the fall of its home country. He is brave I will say that for him. Threats have been made against this specimen’s life, dark threats of butter and a frying pan; hmm Calamari I love it. Will he survive to make the next prediction let alone be right?

Enjoy the footy and have a lovely weekend. By the way, we still have a coalition government, they are in trouble but they are still there. Education Secretary Michael Gove has not followed the example set by Gordon Brown et al in the last Government, he has used the sorry word repeatedly, admitted it was his fault and responsibility, and what did he do wrong; his department in an attempt to inform schools that Labour had promised large amounts of money they did not have to allow them to build and refurbish their schools and as a consequence almost all proposal would need to be reassessed to ensure what money is available is used properly. So there were a few errors in the facts, would they have rather waited another month while everything was checked, sent to a quango and rechecked, before they were advised?

I am of course

La Grande Sophie

My scribe says that she will return to not being interested in football after today. For this grain of sanity we must be grateful, as every time she decides to support a team, and actually watch with us on the sofa, they lose. So you can see by last night results, which team carried the dubious honour of carrying her favours in to battle. It is said that Spain had magnets on their boots and that the ball designed in Loughborough GB was an ingenious and deliberate attempt to subvert Germanys 4-2-3-1 system when used correctly. (Couldn’t someone have informed the England Team?)

We investigated the saga of the England team’s under 19s debacle mentioned in yesterday’s blog, and it appears, according to the Telegraph’s Henry Winter (who is still, we take it, Cape Town’s correspondent, though they don’t say so in print today), that Harry Redknapp does have the say as to whether the four youngsters could join the England Under-19 squad in France, mentioned yesterday. Redknapp is reported to have said ‘If they need the kids, we will get it sorted out.’ Is this the words of a man flexing his power muscles, or a man with an eye to his future, when the fabulous Capello makes the top job vacant? This is absolutely my last word on football, my scribe says.

My friends in the Lake District are very short on water, the news reports tell us. This is hard to believe having trawled through rain belts, carrying heavy downpours this time last year. I would not have believed the state of reservoirs if I had not seen them for myself two weeks ago. I hope both Rutland and the Lakes get some rain soon. As you know I don’t do the heat, and my river is turning into a stream very quickly.

I am of course

La Grande Sophie.

We very much enjoyed the weekend sport, however. Her favourite Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, won easily, it says in the press; but he did so with irresistible style, (according to her anyway). Also Serena Williams, critics like to mock her but she has now passed Billy Jean King and is catching Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert on the Grand slam all time lists, they tell me. It is interesting that both the players mentioned above who won the mens and womens final this weekend have strong family teams involved in their playing camps; as does Andy Murray who I mentioned on Friday, our big hope for the Championship. The Telegraph implies that all things are not well in that camp, but the rumour of sacking his coach is however pure speculation, it is said. His Mum really has to stop all this gyrating when she is viewing a match, from one pushy mother to another, this is not a good look, my scribe says. It is not all gloom and doom for team GB. We had successes and some hope for the future, Farquharson and Broady won the Boys Doubles. It was an all GB game so we had it in the bag from the start, this wonderful situation only happens once in a blue moon I am told. I do wish though that it could all be conducted in the evening, my tennis fanatics don’t tend to eat popcorn in the afternoon.

One last word on the England football camp, (or maybe not if we can find something of interest) players are now saying that it was not the coach’s fault (funny old thing that) as they wing their way off on their hols. Germany’s captain Philipp Lahn was asked if England could now say they were better than Argentina because they had managed to score a goal against England. ‘England was a good team with big players. In both games we were ready and you saw again here that the better team wins against the better players.’ There is that word again, Team. Also according to Henry Winter the Telegraph’s correspondent in Cape Town in the same piece says that England’s problems are rooted in the club versus country tension, and are highlighted by Tottenham Hotspur’s refusal to allow four of their prospects to join England’s Under-19’s at an important tournament in France next week. It is hard to believe this when Harry Rednapp’s tearful face comes to mind being interviewed when England were knocked out of the world cup, but perhaps he has no influence with whoever deals with his developing players. I will send my scribe to investigate. Also worth considering is that one of England’s problems is too many players who are right footed, especially on the left side of the field. Now, I (a talented footballer myself) am four footed how useful could I be, and very proud to boot.

John McEnroe talking to John Lloyd on a Wimbledon commentary this week said, ‘there is nothing more honourable than to play for your country. You should do it every time you are able. It is an honour to be asked.’

I am of course

La Grande Sophie.