What an adventure!

Wakey wakey Barnaby

Off to Hounslow Heath for an afternoon walk.

 It's quite lovely there in places.

Barnaby made most of the decisions about where to walk.

Although sometimes he chose to double back a bit.

It was a really nice, mild October afternoon. About 14ºc according to the car.

"I smell fox!!!"

 A few flowers still out.

 Some really nice trees there too.

Maybe following Barnaby isn't the best idea.

 But he found more lovely trees.

"Which way now? Right!"

"What's the London loop?"

It's hard to believe this is just 2 miles from Heathrow Airport.

There are some managed areas that dogs are not allowed into.

 But still plenty of paths to follow.

 Keep going!!

 ....and going!!

 Oo gate or a stile or something.

"Now which way? Both ways go up hill. 

Better go right again or we may never get back to the car."

Another wide open space, right by the road but you would never know it was here.

Down there, that could be where Dick Turpin hid....

 ...and that could be where Cromwell marched his army.

 More beautiful trees.

What goes up hill must come down, and Barnaby couldn't get down that slope on the lead; not without pulling Laura over anyway.

But he's a very good boy and didn't go too far ahead while Laura struggled down the steep slope.

He waited at the other side of the gap, looking back to make sure Laura was ok.

Suddenly there was an old car park.

 What a shame this is derelict!

 Artificial colours.

But to get out of this place we need to go up and over!

And back down. Time to get Barnaby back on the lead.

Finally, back at the car park and the information signs.

See, Cromwell and the Highwaymen really were here once.

 Look how far we walked!! (2.6 miles)

Back to bed for Barnaby, what a big day!

Such a noble beast

💕

A lovely September evening at Hanworth Park

Barnaby had a really nice time pottering around by the Longford River at Hanworth.

 He couldn't see the house at all though.

He can't decide how he feels about the plans for the site.

It's hard to believe it's only 3 miles from Heathrow airport.

It's quite magical in places.

Fox!!! Fox!!!! I smell fox!!!!

Safety first - The Houndway Code

Barnaby is a very good boy in the car. He sits quietly looking out the window (or yelling at passing motorbikes) and then whines excitedly as we get close to the park.

He has a Kurgo bridge that stops him slipping off the seat and also prevents him getting through the gap between the front seats. There is also a seat cover to catch the mud and dust that he brings with him.

His harness is connected to a Kurgo zip line which works a bit like a safety belt.

Being paranoid, Laura also prefers not to have his lead connected to his collar, just in case.





















As Dogs Trust announces the Houndway Code for dogs travelling in cars, Barnaby wanted everyone to know he is super safe and only ever has to stay in the car when it's parked while Laura goes to pay for petrol (or to check she locked the house up).

At the lock, again

Laura: what do you think of lock keeping, Barnaby?
Barnaby; phththth

L; Well that's rude.
B; *sulks

L; It's fun
B; It's not, I'm off
L; Um.....

B; I'm gonna sit on your foot then!

Exploring

Barnaby and Laura found a whole new path at the country park today. It was overcast and incredibly humid.

Barnaby led the way; he spotted a bunny and scented a fox which was very exciting.

There wasn't another soul around for most of the 2 mile walk....

...relying on Barnaby to stay on the path might be a mistake though!

It's hard to tell it's between industrial estates and a railway.

There were even some wide open spaces.

Barnaby wasn't allowed off the lead though, just in case that fox was still around!

 It'd be worth a visit on a blue sky day.