Dog Weekend without a dog

Where have the last 2 weeks gone?  The first week disappeared doing real-life stuff, broken washing machine & general domestic bullshité but last week was a build-up to our second family weekend away. Months ago, Cal (my VW Bay owning sister-in-law) invited us to a dog agility weekend in Bakewell - free camping in return for helping out with various jobs. We went last year for the day & enjoyed watching the well trained & not so well trained hounds jumping & weaving round various courses so it seemed like a good idea. We don't actually have a dog - I really want one, Stu really wants one, Ann my lovely wife doesn't want one - end of...............

Naturally, 3 or 4 weeks of good dry weather came to an end a few days before we were due to go & wet windy weather was on the forecast. Would we cry off with tales of bad knees or dodgy gearboxes? Absolutely not - we packed up (remembering everything this time), set off (avoiding the A6 during Friday night rush-hour) and rolled into Bakewell with no dramas whatsoever at 6.30pm. Found our pitch, parked up & then noticed the biggest blackest cloud bearing down on us. 30 minutes of mad panic getting the awning up ended with the cloud passing over us without a drop of rain. Ann (my lovely wife) had invested in a new sleeping bag & liner that hopefully would prevent a repeat of the tears of Hope Valley 4 weeks ago. I'd taken extra San Miguel, wine & chocolate.

All went well. Stu decided to sleep with us in the van but the full-width bed was plenty big enough for all of us. Ann was, & I quote "nice & toasty" & I chilled out with chilli, beer, wine & chocolate. Saturday dawned with an 8.30am start booking in competitors & the day followed with showers & bright sun. Stu got a go at running one of Cals Springer Spaniels over a course & Ann got to listen to citeh winning the FA Cup. We had been to a pub to watch it but walked out at half-time as the game was shité. I had San Miguel, wine, chocolate & Tramadol.

Sunday - more of the same minus FA Cup, San Miguel & wine & home again at about 4pm. Bus ran like a dream and Ann is talking about "next time" - can't be bad. Had talked about a week in Cornwall but at 23mpg, 330 miles each way gets a bit pricey so a tour of North Wales Llyn Peninsula looks favourite. We'll see......................