After work today, I had to go to Lydford High Down to show the young student who is busy counting Euphrasia at the moment, where to find them at Lydford. It’s quite a jaunt from home but it’s a great place to take the dogs because it’s very safe – no roads, all fenced in, even the car park. I suppose there are dogs that are not safe to be there but they are the ones that chase livestock, ours barely even give the sheep and ponies a second glance, spending much of their lives in their company!

So, despite the long drive, I decided to chuck the dogs into the back of the car and let them have a romp while I showed Charlotte what she needed to know. They were amused by playing tennis ball as we walked around the locations but by the time I’d finished showing Charlotte the ropes, they had barely got out of their starting blocks in terms of using up energy. So, after I’d said bye-bye to Charlotte, the pups and I went on an exploratory walk. Last year, I spent a week on this moor but barely saw any of it because I was on my hands and knees the whole time with a microscope and a pair of calipers so it was good to see a bit of scenery.

I didn’t really know where to go, not being from round those parts, so I just ambled about. I had a lucky break because I stumbled on this river and of course JD and Lola love water, just like most other dogs.

JD always carts a tennis ball around when we walk, occasionally dropping it at my feet for a kick or throw, but mostly he’s happy just to trot along with it in his mouth. Today though, they decided that the sheer joy of chasing a ball in the river was just too good an opportunity to miss. I agreed, especially as Lola was still caked in dry mud from yesterday’s walk. I quite liked the silliness of the dogs completely ignoring the stone bridge and favouring the river instead.